Unit 1- Foundations of American Democracy (CR1) 9 days

Essential Questions:

· How did the founders of the U.S. Constitution attempt to protect their individual liberty, while also promoting public order and safety?

· How have theory, debate and compromise influenced the U.S. Constitutional system

· How does the development and interpretation of the Constitution influence policies that impact citizens and residents of the U.S.?

Readings Textbook Chapter 2

1.1 Ideals of Democracy

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Liberty and Order (LOR-1A)

Key Terms:

Limited Government, Natural Rights, Popular Sovereignty, Republicanism, Social Contract

Foundational Documents: The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States

1.2 Types of Democracy

Big Idea and Learing Objective: Liberty and Order (LOR-1B)

Key Terms:

Democracy, pluralist democracy, elite democracy

Foundational Documents: Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No.1

1.3 Government Power and Individual Rights

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Constitutionalism (CON-1A)

Key Terms:

Faction, federalists, anti-federalist, federalism, checks and balances, seperation of powers

Foundational Documents: Federalist No 10 and Brutus No

1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Constitutionalism (CON-1B)

Key Terms:

Articles of Confederation, Shay’s Rebellion

Foundational Documents: Articles of Confederation

1.5 Ratification of the U.S. Constition

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Constitutionalism (CON-1.C)

Key Terms:

Great Compromise, Electoral College, Three-Fifths Compromise, Amendment Process

Foundational Documents: The Constitution of the United States

1.6 Principles of American Government

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Competing Policy-Making Interests (PMI-1.A)

Key Terms:

Congress, the President, Federal Judiciary, checks and balances, separation of powers

Foundational Documents: Federalist No. 51

Chapter 3: Federalism

1,7 Relationship Between the States and the Federal Government

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Competing Policy-Making Interests (PMI-1B)

Key Terms:

Checks and balances, seperation of powers

1.8- Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Constitutionalism (CON-2A)

Key Terms:

Federalism, concurrent powers, federal revenue sharing, mandates, categorical grants, block grants

1.9- Federalism in Action

Big Idea and Learning Objective: Constitutionalism (CON-2B)

Key Terms:

Federalism, tenth amendment, fourteenth amendment, commerce clause, necessary and proper

Required cases:

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

United States v. Lopez (1995)