Ch 13 - Executive Branch - Class 1

1. What are the goals and activities of the executive branch in American politics?

2. What is the difference between the Executive Office of the President and the Cabinet (i.e. membership and purpose)?

1. Quiz: Chapter 13 - The Executive Branch
2. Summarize: Goals of Executive Branch
• What are the many roles of the modern presidency?
3. Activities of Executive Branch 
• What is the membership and the purpose of Executive Office of the President?
• Overview
• Map: West Wing
• A Day in the Life: The White House
• Case Study: Chief of Staff
• Case Study: Situation Room
• Case Study: Press Secretary
• Case Study: Advance Team Part I & Part II 
• Case Study: Marine Sentries
• Case Study: Air Force One
• What is the membership and purpose of the Cabinet and the rest of the federal bureaucracy?
• Overview
• Map: Washington, DC
• Case Study: Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor for President Clinton
• Case Study: Cabinet Meetings with President Obama

Ch 12 - Legislative Branch - Class 6

1. How does a bill become a law in theory, and how does a bill become a law in practice?
2. What are the key differences between the Senate and the House?
3. What are the various purposes of committees in Congress?
4. What are common criticisms of Congress?

1. Reflect: Senate Simulation
• What did we learn?
• Read blog posts
• What actually happened?
• Gun Control Bill Hits Brick Wall in the Senate
2. Summarize: How a Bill Becomes a Law
• What is the pathway?
• Diagram
• How often does a bill become law?
• Sunlight Foundation
• What factors influence the vote of a Senator or Representative?
• Constituent Feedback
• Trustee (Conscience) v. Delegate (Public Opinion)
• Campaign Contributions
• House Leaders & Senate Leaders
• Logrolling with Earmarks (aka Pork)
3. Summarize: Key Differences Between House and Senate
• What are the key differences between the two chambers?
• Chart
• How old must you be to run for Congress?
• House
• Senate
• Where must revenue (tax) bills start?
• Read Article I, Section 7
• What can a Representative do if a bill is stuck in committee?
• Discharge petition
• Are the filibuster and cloture in the Constitution?
• Read Article I, Section 5
• How do the filibuster and cloture affect the operation of the Senate?
• Example
• 60 Minutes 
• "Nuclear Option"
4. Summarize: Various Purposes of Committees 
• What are the responsibilities of committees?
• Investigate to Propose Legislation
• Mark-up Legislation
• Oversight
• Vetting Nominees
• What are the key committees?
• House of Representatives
• House Ways and Means Comm
• House Rules Comm
• House Budget Comm
• House Appropriations Comm 
• Senate
• Senate Budget Comm
• Senate Appropriations Comm
• Senate Judiciary Committee
• How does one become a committee chair?
• Majority Party
• Seniority on Committee
5. Summarize: Criticisms of Congress
• Why do Americans have such a low opinion of Congress?
• Criticisms of Congress
6. Satire: Legally Blonde 2
• What is surprisingly accurate about this film?

Ch 12 - Legislative Branch - Class 5 (Floor Debate)

1. Create: Floor Debate
• What is the procedure for floor debate?
• Script