Title: Advanced Placement United States History
Author: FPS
Last saved by: Mark Tomecko
Company: Fairview Park Schools

Advanced Placement United States Government
Unit 5: Congress and the Courts
Chapters 6 and 9 in the O’Connor text

The AP student’s primary responsibility is to read each day’s assigned section of the textbook and to have a solid grasp of the main ideas, concepts, and terminology in that section.  Each class period may begin with a quiz that evaluates the student’s understanding of the material.  The teacher’s role is to clarify the significance of the readings, concepts, and terms and to facilitate a discussion of the material that enhances student understanding.  If the student does not fully understand a term or concept, he/she must ask in class.

In preparation for class on… | Topic | Section | Main Ideas, Concepts, and Terminology | Other

Wed, Jan 18

Roots of Congress

6.1

bicameral legislature
Compare the formal requirements for membership in the House
   and Senate.
Why did the Framers expect the House to be more responsive to
   the people?
bill
17th Amendment
Identify several powers of Congress. (See also p. 160)
Explain how other branches' powers seemingly diminish
   Congress' formal lawmaking powers.
Identify several powers unique to both the House and Senate.

Thu-Fri,
Jan 19-20

Mon, Jan 23

Members of Congress

6.2

Demographically, how does Congress compare to the US
   population?
apportionment (see p. 159)
redistricting
gerrymandering
What are the consequences of redistricting for congressmen?

Tue, Jan 24 | | | | Briefs due: Baker v. Carr, Wesberry v. Sanders, Shaw v. Reno
Wed, Jan 25 | | | |
Thu-Fri, Jan 26-27 | | | | Redistricting Game

Mon, Jan 30

Congressional Leadership

6.3
(to 171)

majority vs. minority party (in Congress)
party caucus (or conference)
Identify several roles of the party caucus.
Describe (in some depth) the role of the Speaker of the House.
Describe the role of each of the following: House majority &
   minority leaders, whips, Senate majority & minority leaders.
What is the vice president's role in the Senate?

Tue, Jan 31 | | | |

Wed, Feb 1

The Committee System

6.3

Briefly describe the four types of congressional committees.
Describe the role of the House Rules Committee.
Describe the role of standing cmtes. in the legislative process.
discharge petition
Describe the power of committee chairs.
Explain how the majority party exercises greater power in cmtes.

Thu, Feb 2

Law-Making Process

6.4
(to 178)

Identify several sources of proposed legislation.
Using Figure 6.4 and the text, identify several “stopping points”
   of legislation.
markup
hold
filibuster, cloture motion
Describe the role of a conference committee.
Briefly describe the President’s 4 options when receiving a bill
   that has passed Congress.

Fri, Feb 3 | | | |

Mon, Feb 6

Budget and Oversight Functions

6.4

Budget and Accounting Act of 1921,  OMB
Congressional Budget Act of 1974
reconciliation
pork
programmatic requests
Describe some of the ways Congress exercises oversight.

MID-UNIT 5
QUIZ #1

Tue, Feb 7 | | | | Scheduling meetings

Wed, Feb 8

Decision-making

6.5

Describe the theories of representation: trustee, delegate,
   and politico.
Explain why a congressperson might feel compelled to vote with
   his/her party.
divided government vs. unified government
logrolling
Discuss the role of congressional staffs.
Briefly describe the functions of the CRS, GAO, and CBO.

Mandatory blog posts

“Obama’s Deal”

Thu, Feb 9 | | | |
Fri, Feb 10 | | | | Discuss Federalist No. 78

Mon, Feb 13

Roots of the Federal Judiciary

9.1

In what ways are the courts not “above the fray of politics”?
jurisdiction: original, appellate
Identify several ways the other branches “check” the judiciary.
Describe the structure of the federal court system (district
   courts, circuit courts of appeals, Supreme Court) as defined by
   the Judiciary Act of 1789.
judicial review

Briefs due:
Marbury v. Madison
U.S. v. Lopez

Tue, Feb 14 | | | |

Wed, Feb 15

Federal Court System

9.2

constitutional (Article III) courts vs. legislative courts
Describe the district courts, esp. their jurisdiction.
Describe the courts of appeals, esp. their jurisdiction.
briefs
Describe the role of the U.S. Supreme Court.
precedent, stare decisis

Thu, Feb 16

Selection of Federal Judges

9.3

senatorial courtesy, blue slip
Describe the 6 criteria the Pres. considers when appointing judges.
Summarize the 3 stages of the confirmation process:
   investigation, lobbying, and Senate hearings & vote.

Fri, Feb 17 | | | | MID-UNIT 5 QUIZ #2
Mon, Feb 20 | | | NO SCHOOL – Washington’s Birthday (observed) |

Tue, Feb 21

Supreme Court Today

9.4

writ of certiorari, federal question
“Rule of Four”
Describe some of the factors that are likely to lead the Supreme
   Court to hear a case.
Describe the role of the solicitor general.
Summarize how groups use amicus briefs to influence the courts.
Summarize the 3-step process of a Supreme Court case: oral
   arguments, conference & vote, and writing opinions.

Wed, Feb 22 | | | George Washington’s Birthday Celebration |

Thu, Feb 23

Judicial Decision-making

9.5-9.6

judicial restraint (strict constructionists) vs. judicial activism
Describe one example in which public opinion has appeared to
   influence the Court and one in which the Court has helped
   shape public opinion.
Identify a few ways in which the Court has increasingly become
   a policy-making institution.

Fri, Feb 24 | | | | UNIT 5 TEST