Lesson on Wednesday, March 21, 2018

THE BUREAUCRACY

Aim: Why was the Civil Service Exam adopted? Why does Congress give agencies significant discretion? 

Bell Ringer: Current Events (10 min) / grade journals 81-90

Objectives: 

13.2 Describe the organization of the executive branch, the role of the civil service, and the bureaucracy's responsiveness to presidential control. 

13.3 Describe the roles of administrative discretion and rule-making authority in the execution of administrative policymaking. 

Agenda: 

1. Review journal 91 (2 min)

Everything to Know About the Bureaucracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKds54ksBAo 

2. Departments (Cabinet secretaries), Independent Agencies (CIA, FCC), regulatory commissions (let's look up regulatory commissions), they regulate the economy (guard against unfair business practices, protect against unsafe products), government corporations (post office). 

3. The Civil Service https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24EpHDmm1sk (3 min)

Inspector Robert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_rNxAk44uU (4 min)

4. Would you rather work for the private sector or the civil service? Let's discuss

5. Journal 92 -  Describe the bureaucracy's responsiveness to presidential control. (10 min)

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6. Why do we have a bureaucracy? The bureaucracy carries out the law for Congress and the President in their various agencies. - me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8EQAnKntLs (7 min)

7. Administrative discretion, rule making, regulations (ExpressJet flight, pages 366-367) - "Airlines claimed there would be unintended consequences and even longer delays as ground crews removed luggage and searched for bags belonging to passengers who deplaned. The new rule, however, has worked well, and in the first ten months after it was adopted, tarmac standings fell to just sixteen instances from 664 in a comparable period from the year before." (freedom vs. order)

8. What are some ways to increase competition within the bureaucracy?

9. In-Class Assignment: "Bureaucracy Studies 1" or "Bureaucracy Studies 2" 

1. How do government agencies change over time? Students can look up information about the creation of an agency and record the functions and programs originally assigned to it. They can then collect similar information for the same agency (or its successor, if there has been a significant reorganization) as it exists now. What new functions and programs has the agency acquired over the years? What led to those additions? If it is an agency that actually died or whose functions have largely disappeared through reorganization, what led to its demise? 

A-Z list of bureaucratic agencies: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/a

2. As a case study, have students examine the formation of the Department of Homeland Security following the attacks of 9/11. Have them chart out the various agencies, and other parts of the government, that were consolidated or altered by this law?

Terms to Know: bureaucracy, bureaucrat, departments, independent agencies, regulatory commissions, government corporations, civil service, administrative discretion, rule making, regulations, 

Home Learning: (Spring Break)

1. Read 13.4, 13.5, and 13.6

2. Journal 93 - Compare and contrast formal and informal policymaking. 

3. Journal 94 - What are some of the challenges in implementing policy directives formulated by Washington agencies? 

Bonus: 

1. Read Chapter 14 and have Chapter 14 IDs complete to get Chapter 14 Vocabulary Quiz waived! 

Forthcoming: 

1. Monday, April 2, 2018 - Chapter 13 and 14 Vocabulary Quiz / Answering a series of journals during class, and we will watch videos relevant to Chapter 14. On this day you will also present and submit your "Bureaucracy Studies 1/2" assignment. 

2. Tuesday, April 3, 2018 - PART IV EXAM

"failing to plan, is planning to fail" - anonymous 

Lesson on Tuesday, March 20, 2018

THE BUREAUCRACY

Aim: What are the obstacles to reducing the size of government? 

Bell Ringer: Current Events (10 min)

Objectives: 

13.1 Define the concept of bureaucracy, explain the role of organizations on the administration of the nation's laws. examine the reasons for the growth of the bureaucratic state, and assess arguments for and against its continued expansion. 

Agenda: 

1. Review and GRADE journals 88 and 89 (Q) (10 min)

2. What is a bureaucracy? How has it grown? (increasing complexity of society, examples?, laissez-faire, )

"Gradually government intervention came to be accepted as necessary to protect the integrity of markets. And if government was to police unfair business practices effectively, it needed administrative agencies. During the twentieth century, new bureaucracies were organized to regulate specific industries." page 359

3. 13.1 POP QUIZ (6 min)

4. Journal 90 - Can we reduce the size of government? (10 min)

5. Everything to Know About the Bureaucracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKds54ksBAo 

(12 min) 

*Add important information about bureaucracies to your Chapter 2 IDs, to be added on a separate paper. 

Terms to Know: bureaucracy, bureaucrat, 

Home Learning: 

1. Read 13.2, 13.3, and 13.4 

2. Journal 91 - Analyze Figure 13.1. What are some of the largest cabinet departments? Smallest? What does this say about governmental priorities? 

3. Journals 81-90 will be graded on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21st, ONLY! 

411

Please be advised:

Friday's quiz (3/16/2018) is worth a TEST grade (35%) because we need one more test assignment. Furthermore, the grade book will be closed on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 3:30PM.

"Failing to plan is planning to fail" - anonymous

Lesson on Friday, March 17th, 2018

Aim: What are the different roles that the president plays as a national leader? What are the president's primary responsibilities in terms of leadership in foreign affairs?

Bell Ringer: Review Cabinet Assignment and collect


Objectives: 

12.5 Compare and contrast the different roles that the president plays as national leader. 

12.6 Analyze the role of the president within the context of the changing nature of global politics. 

Agenda:

1. From Political Values (Democratic equality vs Republican freedom)

2. Chief Lobbyist (legislative liaison staff), also "talks to legislators to seek their advice and takes soundings from committee chairs on what proposals can get through and what must be modified or abandoned"; works with interest groups.

3. Party Leader: no detailed tasks or expectations; "fundraiser in chief."

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THE PRESIDENT AS WORLD LEADER

4. Foreign Relations: in political context: Cold War, and now:

A. National security (heightened since 9/11), Obama and Egypt's dictator Hosni Mubarak,
B. Fostering a peaceful international environment: president works with UN, NATO, for instance.
C. Protection of U.S. economic interest:


Terms to Know: veto, inherent powers, executive orders, unitary executive, delegation of powers, Executive Office of the President, Cabinet, divided government, gridlock, electoral mandate, legislative liaison staff. 

This chapter's vocabulary quiz will have 6 questions from chapter 3, as a way to begin reviewing content that we covered months ago. Please review your Chapter 3 IDs. 



5. Chapter 12 Vocabulary Quiz



Home Learning:

1. Read 13.1  ;)

2. Journal 88 - Why has the bureaucracy grown over the years?

3. Journal 89 - What are the obstacles to reducing the size of government?

Lesson on Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Documentary: Cesar Chavez on YouTube

Lesson on Monday, March 12, 2018

Aim: How might presidential character affect presidential performance? What are the contextual factors that can influence the course of a presidency?

Bell Ringer: Review AWRR questions from last lesson (15 min)

Objectives: 

12.3 Assess the role played by the various executive branch institutions as resources for an effective president.

12.4 Defend the argument that "Presidential power is the power to persuade."


Agenda:

1. Review Journal 86 and 87 (5 min)

2. Executive Office of the President (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Office of Management and Budget (OMB))

The Vice President

3. President of the Senate, tie breaker, takes over the presidency in the event of presidential death, disability, impeachment, or resignation.

The Cabinet

4. Fifteen executive branch departments (G.W. started with four cabinet members), limited areas of expertise, cabinet members are chosen by reputation, balance of ethnic, racial, geographic, gender, or religious balance.

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5. Presidential Character (What qualities do you look for in a president?) / analyze figure 12.1, public opinion (polls), analyze figure 12.2

6. Political Context: control of Congress by the same party, the economy, divided government causes gridlock?

CABINET ASSIGNMENT

Create a table that shows the current fifteen cabinet departments and their advisors. (due tomorrow)


Terms to Know: veto, inherent powers, executive orders, unitary executive, delegation of powers, Executive Office of the President, Cabinet, divided government, gridlock, electoral mandate


Home Learning:

1. Read 12.5 and 12.6

2. Complete Cabinet Assignment

3. Chapter 12 Vocabulary Quiz: Friday, March 17, 2018

Lesson on Friday, March 9, 2018

Aim: What is the underlying philosophy that guided the framers in determining the power of the presidency and, indeed, in structuring the entire Constitution?

Bell Ringer: Review Journals 83 and 84 (5 min)

Objectives:

12.1 Assess whether the constitutional powers of the president form a strong basis for the modern presidency

12.2 Illustrate how claims of inherent powers augment the formal powers of the presidency


Agenda:

1. Complete "Congressional Quarterly" assignment (10 min) (agree on a legislation to research)

2. Lesson Opener: In many countries, the roles of Head of State and Head of Government are held by different individuals. For example, many countries have a monarch or president who serves as a figurehead and a prime minister who directs the government’s day to day activities. In the United States, the president performs both roles. What are the advantages and disadvantages of combining these roles in one person?

3. Journal 85 - What are the major formal powers of the presidency as listed in Article II of the Constitution?

4. ALL-WRITE-ROUND-ROBIN

A. Why did the framers worry about a too powerful executive and what was done about this?

B. List the powers of the president as stated in the Constitution. (bullets in 12.1)

C. What are some 'formal powers' that Obama practiced, as stated in 12.2?

D. Describe Inherent Powers

E. Describe Executive Orders, give examples.

F. Why is the concept of unitary executive controversial?

G. What are some examples of "delegation of power"? 


Terms to Know: veto, inherent powers, executive orders, unitary executive, delegation of powers, 


Home Learning:

1. Journal 86 - What are the differences between formal powers and inherent powers?

1. Read 12.3 and 12.4

2. Journal 87 - Why does the cabinet not play a major role as a body of advisers?

Lesson on Thursday, March 8, 2018

Aim: How can we assess the elements that characterize Congress as a pluralist or majoritarian system?

Bell Ringer: Chapter 11 Vocabulary Quiz (15 min)

Objectives: 

11.7 Consider whether members of Congress should vote according to the majority views of their constituents. 

11.8 Assess the elements that characterize Congress as a pluralist or majoritarian system. 

Agenda:

1. Journal 83 - What can we do to reform the gerrymandering process through which the boundaries of congressional districts are drawn? (10 min)

2. Journal 84 - Should we fund congressional campaigns solely through public funding? Why or why not? (10 min)

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CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY CLASS ASSIGNMENT

Students can investigate how one of their own members of Congress voted on an issue. A simple way is to look up their votes in the Congressional Quarterly (also available on the Web at http://corporate.cqrollcall.com/ or https://www.govtrack.us/) Assign each students one of the Senators and Representatives. Have a list of your designated Congressman or Congresswoman and their votes on a given issue, ready to share with the class. (as a class, we chose the second website)

SENATORS

BILL NELSON – DOUGLAS

FERNANDO – MARCO RUBIO

REPRESENTATIVES

THALIA – ALCEE HASTINGS

URIEL – ALFRED LAWSON

DENILSON – BILL POSEY

KELLEK – BRIAN MAST

ANDREA – CARLOS CURBELO

ASHLEY – DANIEL WEBSTER

DENISE – DARREN SOTO

ADRIANA – DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

NUSBALDO – DENNIS ROSS

SANDY – FRANCIS ROONEY

SAMMY – FREDERICA WILSON

GLORIA – GUS BILIRAKIS

AMY – ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

VALERY – JOHN RUTHERFORD

BRIAN – KATHY CASTOR

JULIETTA – LOIS FRANKEL

LOURDES – MARIO DIAZ-BALART

*tomorrow in class we will choose a legislation to focus on. ...to be continued.

Your assignment should have the following elements:

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY

TITLE OF BILL

SUMMARY OF BILL 

(in your own words)

NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR

PARTY AFFILIATION

VOTE: Y OR N

Home Learning: 

1. Read 12.1 and 12.2

2. Tomorrow we are going to do an All-Write-Round-Robin activity in class. You must read the assigned sections in order for the activity to go smoothly. Do not come to class unprepared. 

Lesson on Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Aim: How can we assess the elements that characterize Congress as a pluralist or majoritarian system?

Bell Ringer: Grade journals 71-80

Objectives: 

11.7 Consider whether members of Congress should vote according to the majority views of their constituents. 

11.8 Assess the elements that characterize Congress as a pluralist or majoritarian system. 

Agenda:

1. Let's review journal 78 (trustee vs delegates)

"Research has shown, however, that members of Congress are more likely to take the delegate role on issues that are of great concern to their constituents." page 319

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Arab Spring (11.8)

"When legislators act as delegates, congressional policymaking is  more pluralistic, and policies reflect the bargaining that goes on among lawmakers who speak for different constituencies." page 319

2. Will the Middle East end up with a majoritarian or pluralist model of democracy?

2a. Arab Spring Map: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVCeCQnpHC0 (1 min)

2b. Understanding Arab Spring Struggle and Successes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTDQa9gxjiQ (9 min)

3. Journal 82 - Which, if any, features of the emerging legislatures in Tunisia and Egypt will encourage majoritarianism? Which features will encourage pluralism? What challenges might the new legislatures face when trying to balance freedom and order? What about balancing order and equality?

Terms to know: reapportionment, impeachment, incumbent, gerrymandering, racial gerrymandering, veto, standing committee, joint committee, select committee, conference committee, seniority, Speaker of the House, majority leader, filibuster, cloture, constituents, trustee, delegate, parliamentary system. 

Home Learning: 

1. Complete Chapter 11 IDs (due tomorrow)

2. Study Chapter 11 Vocabulary / Quiz: tomorrow. 

3. Complete the notes given in class on Congressional Committees. The first section covers the video below. 

Lesson on Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Aim: What are the most significant functions performed by the House and Senate leaders?

Bell Ringer:  Interest Group Project presentations

Objectives: 

11.5 Identify the leadership structure of the legislative branch and assess the rules and norms that influence congressional operations.

11.6 Appraise the components of the  legislative environment that affect decision making in Congress. 

Agenda:

1. Congressional Leadership PPT (1. Congressional Leaders.ppt) / Students are to complete "Congressional Leadership Notes."

2. Journal 79 - Draw a diagram that shows the structure of Congressional leadership.

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3. Journal 80 - How do political parties and the president push Congress toward majoritarian democracy?

4. Journal 81 - How do constituents and interest groups push Congress toward a pluralist democracy?


Terms to know: reapportionment, impeachment, incumbent, gerrymandering, racial gerrymandering, veto, standing committee, joint committee, select committee, conference committee, seniority, Speaker of the House, majority leader, filibuster, cloture, constituents, 


Home Learning:

1. How a Bill Becomes a Law: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66f4-NKEYz4 (7 min)

2. Study your Congressional Leadership notes.

3. Read 11.7 and 11.8

Lesson on Monday, March 5, 2018

Aim: How does the committee system enhance the pluralist and the majoritarian aspects of American politics?

Bell Ringer: 11.4 POP QUIZ

Objectives:

11.4 Differentiate among the types of congressional committees and evaluate the role of the committee system in the legislative process. 


Agenda:

1. Journal 77 - Describe the difference between a standing committee and a joint committee.

2. Journal 78 - Imagine you are a member of Congress. In general, do you think it is your job to vote in the way that the majority of your constituents would want, or is it your job to use your own best judgment about what is right?

3. Standing committee, joint committee, select committee, conference committee.

4. Congressional Committees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evLR90Dx79M (9 min)

5.Complete Interest Group Project, presentations due tomorrow.

Terms to know: reapportionment, impeachment, incumbent, gerrymandering, racial gerrymandering, veto, standing committee, joint committee, select committee, conference committee, seniority,


Home Learning: 

1. Read 11.5 and 11.6 

2. Be ready to present your Interest Group Project tomorrow (before lunch)

Lesson on Friday, March 2, 2018

Aim: What factors contribute to the high reelection rates of congressional incumbents? How was the use of majority-minority districts benefitted each political party?

Bell Ringer: Interest Group Project: update (7 min)

Objectives:

11.2 Analyze the factors that affect the way voters elect members of Congress.

11.3 Describe the ways in which issues get on the congressional agenda.



Agenda:

1. The Incumbency Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl_KcQkO_b4 (9 min)

Must be part of Chapter 11 IDs:

A. Name Recognition
B. Credit Claiming
C.  Casework
D. Franking
E Media Exposure
F. Fundraising Abilities (Campaign Fundraising)
G. Experience in Campaigning
H. Voting Record
I. Redistricting (gerrymandering) (journal 73)

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcUDBgYodIE (4 min)

"We Love Our Incumbents, but Congress Itself Stinks"

3. Journal 74 - What kind of people do we, Americans, elect to Congress? (as described on page 303-304) (10 min)

4. Journal 75 - How might the laws passed in countries with more female legislators differ from laws passed in countries with fewer female legislators? (Compared with What?, page 305) (7 min)

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5. Read 11.3

Journal 76 - What might bring an issue to the forefront of the congressional agenda? (10 min)

Terms to know: reapportionment, impeachment, incumbent, gerrymandering, racial gerrymandering, 


Home Learning: 

1. Read 11.4 ;)

Lesson on Thursday, March 1, 2018

Aim: How are the powers unique to the House of Representative different from those unique to the Senate?

Bell Ringer: Interest Group Project: update (7 min)

Objectives:

11.1 Explain the structure and powers of Congress as envisioned by the framers and enumerated in the Constitution.

Agenda:

1. Filing (10-15 min)

2. Reapportionment and redistricting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfW1jUYGZFU (4 min)

Apportionment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUCnb5_HZc0 (3 min)

3. Journal 72 - How are reapportionment and redistricting related? (10 min)

4. Impeachment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRtJXnsUYBc (7 min)

Terms to know: reapportionment, impeachment, 


Home Learning:

1. Read 11.2

2. Journal 73 - Describe gerrymandering in your own words.