Learning Objectives
To explain the workings of the Electoral College
To analyse the Electoral College results of recent elections
To explore the debate over the Electoral College and potential reform and replacement of this mechanism
Learning Objectives
To analyse the US Constitution to discover the framework of the government it established
To identify and exemplify the fundamental concepts the constitution is based on
To explore the areas of debate surrounding these fundamental concepts
Learning Objectives
To understand the history of the American revolution and its impact on American government
To explain the purpose of the Articles of Confederation and why they failed
To analyse the significance of the Constitution
Learning Objectives
To explain the amendment processes
To analyse the advantages and disadvantages of these processes
To evaluate the extent to which interpretative and practical amendments can also change the constitution
Learning Objectives
To describe the enumerated powers of Congress in the constitution
To analyse the extent to which Congress has increased the reach of its power through expansive reading of the constitution
To evaluate the impact of these constitutional clauses on the extent of congressional power
Learning Objectives
To describe the legislative process
To explain the complexities of the legislative process and the factors that can affect it, including partisanship and bipartisanship
To evaluate the extent to which the filibuster is still a useful legislative tool
Learning Objectives
To understand the constitutional basis of federalism and the powers of the federal and state governments
To explain the relationship between the federal government and the states
To examine examples of the impact of federalism
Learning Objectives
To explain the key features of the US Constitution
To analyse the principles of:
* Separation of powers
* Checks and balances
* Federalism
Learning Objectives
To understand the context of congressional election campaigns
To explain the principal factors influencing the outcomes in congressional elections
To evaluate the significance of these factors in affecting the outcome of congressional elections
Learning Objectives
To understand the reasons why and how the Bill of Rights was added to the constitution
To explain the rights and restrictions that are defined in the Bill of Rights
To analyse the extent to which there is debate over the nature of free speech
Learning Objectives
To identify the shared and exclusive powers of the Senate and the House of Representatives
To analyse the examples of these
To evaluate the extent to which the chambers of Congress are equal