We the People

(you'll find the presentation rubric, score sheet, etc... INCLUDING THE TEXTBOOK COMPANION SITE, here)

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action" -George Washington - Respond in 250 Words

I am looking forward to working with you all. We will be working hard so that we can improve on last years senior class in the National We Principal Seymour Skinner

the People program. I know most of you and I know your talents and I am confident that we will do well this year.

After the WTP competition, we will be devoting the second half of the year focusing on Constitutional Law and preparing for the AP Government and Politics Exam.

Please make good use of this website. I will post syllabi, homework, papers, class notes and announcements. Also you can e-mail me from here. I will not accept any late work so if you are absent, this website can be a lifesaver.

Course Description: This is the capstone course of the Civics and Government Institute. It combines the Advanced Placement Government and Politics curriculum with the nationally renowned "We the People" curriculum. In so doing, it will provide students with a unique analytic perspective on the foundations and evolution of government and politics in the United States. The course, then, is concerned with the nature of the American political system, its development over the past two hundred plus years, and how it continues to function today. It examines in detail the structure and function of the Constitution, the principal processes and institutions through which the political system functions, and the creation and implementation of public policy.

As a component of the course, some of the students will be involved in a simulated congressional hearing which will allow the students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Constitutional principles. This hearing will be on a statewide basis, which may lead to the national annual competition in Washington D.C.

"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you." ~Pericles (430 BC)

“Democracy, unchecked rule by the masses, is sure to bring arbitrary redistribution of property, destroying the very essence of liberty” -200 word response to this statement:

"Democracy is the process by which we get ourselves organized to perform capitalism". 250 word response.

Take part in the this EXTRA CREDIT opportunity to help Mr. Wingren decorate the room.

Take a picture of yourself with your "We the People" book somewhere interesting, funny or odd and hand it in.

What important principle was Washington acknowledging when he resigned his commission at the end of the Revolution?

Who were the founding fathers? And, do we admire them? Put your gloves on people!

American Exceptionalism

19th Century Sentiment. Have we taken it too literally?

Enter the Government & Politics Chat Room

Enter your name, but you don't need to write anything for profile.

Democracy in Action

Issues in Action

Links of Democracy in Action:

African Americans of the United States Congress

Check out this link

Interesting Article about Illegal Aliens

Brand New Due Process Case

Federalist No. 78 - The judiciary

Founding Fathers?

What did they really do at the Philadelphia Convention?

"Founding Fathers"?

What were their intentions and for whom?

Did these people intend to create the country that we have today?

What led them to this?

Did "the people" have a say?

What about the "Founding Mothers"?

Founding Fathers

Which is it?

Great link to the Background Documents to American Government:

Bill of Rights

Interesting Bill of Rights Website

"The Declaration of rights is like all other human blessings alloyed with some inconveniences...But the good in this instance vastly outweighs the evil."

"If we cannot secure all our rights, let us secure what we can."

_{Letter from
Jefferson to James Madison,}

_{dated March 15,
1789}

Afghan Women's Bill of Rights

Are we overreacting here?

Establishment Clause, Separation of Church & State and the History of Religion in American Government

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" -US Constitution

Great Establishment Clause Site

Thomas Jefferson argued for "a wall of separation between church and state."

Bill of Rights Under Fire: The Second Amendment

"A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." patriot

What do these 27 words mean?
Do they need to be modernized?
What exactly IS a "well regulated Militia"?
What does the Supreme Court Say?
What do the States Say? click Here
Is gun control a violation of the Constitution?

Second Amendment Links

Gun Control Links

Public Policy Questions

Turnitin.com Instructions

Class ID Login

MWF:

TRF:

Password: We Will Discuss in Class

Try this First Amendment Quiz

Polls and Public Opinion

20 Questions to ask about Poll Results

Is Popular Rule Possible?

Debate Discussion

What's the Matter with Kansas

Intro to American Exceptionalism

American Exceptionalism Essay

Given what you have learned about the premise of American Exceptionalism, explain through a 500 word essay, how the United States have extended the concept from the original belief of deToqueville. Also, include other examples of how "exceptionalism" may have been used as justification for certain actions throughout history. Please use the article, American Exceptionalism : A Double Edged Sword By Seymour Martin Lipset (on web) as a frame of reference.

Due: Friday April 27th

The American Political Landscape

State and Local Identity
What effects ones politics
The Politics of Influence

Midterm Review