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Read: The Federalist Papers 10 and 51 in KTR Appendix A and KTR,
Chapter 3
Consider: What did James Madison mean when he was talking about the
violence of factions? How effective would you say the Constitution has been in
controlling factions in today’s political system? How have opinions about the
distribution of power in a federalist system changed over time? Whose interests
have been served by these visions of the distribution of power? What recent
events and policies illustrate the conflicts inherent in our federalist system (e.g.,
the issue of state-recognition of same-sex marriages)?
September 30 or October 1: Current Events Quiz and Discussion
October 4-5: The Judiciary and The Supreme Court
Read: KTR, Chapter 9
Consider: What is judicial activism and judicial restraint? Does the Supreme
Court violate its Constitutional role when it takes an activist role? What factors
do/should influence the judicial decision-making process?
October 6: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Read:
KTR, Chapter 4
Consider: Does the concept of the rights of the accused give an unfair advantage
to criminals? How public should our trials be?
October 7 or 8: Current Events Quiz and Discussion
October 11-13: Civil Rights and Liberties (cont.)
Read: KTR, Chapter 5
October 13: Quiz 1
October 14 or 15:
Option 1: Service Learning Project - Initial Debriefing with Ms. McCormack
Read: Reading Packet #2
Due: Service Learning Goals and Contract
Due: Reaction Paper #1: What do we mean by equality in the American political
system? What institutions (including social and political) promote or interfere
with equality? Who has power in our system and why?
Option 2: Research Paper Discussion
Due: Thesis statement and annotated bibliography of at least 6-8 sources
Read: Reading Packet #2
October 18: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (cont.)
October 19–20: Political Socialization and Participation
Read: KTR, Chapter 10
Consider: What are your first political memories? How did/do you learn about the
political world? What kind of influence would you say your parents, teachers, friends
have had on your political thinking? To what extent should public opinion shape public
policy? How should politicians assess public opinion (polls, town meetings, mailings)?
October 21-22: Fall Break
October 25: Public Opinion
October 26: Midterm Exam
October 27: Campaigns and Elections
Read: KTR, Chapter 12
Consider: What role should money play in elections? What are the arguments in favor of
campaign finance reform? What are the arguments against campaign finance
Convention