Final Exam Review

US GOV’T FINAL

The final will be made up of 50 multiple choice questions and one 20 point essay. Pay close attention to the number of questions that will be included from each unit that we have studied.

I.  Introduction     Government                            Events leading to independence

                              Types of Government             Articles of Confederation

5 ques.                  Types of Economies                Declaration of Independence

                                        Democracy

II.  Constitution                            Preamble                           Limited Government

      and Amendments                    Articles                              Checks and Balances

                                                      Amendments                     Separation of Powers

                                                      How to add Amendments            Judicial Review

10                                                 Supremacy Clause             Federalism

                                                      Popular Sovereignty          Necessary and Proper Clause 

III.  Federalism                             Concurrent

                                                      Enumerated/Expressed

                                                      Implied

5                                                    Reserved

IV.  Legislative Branch        Facts about members of Congress

                                             Powers of Congress

                                             How a Bill becomes law

10                                                       Types of Committees

                                             Budget information

                                   

V.  Executive Branch           Facts about President and Vice President

                                             Powers of the President

                                             How the President is elected (Electoral College)

10                                         Cabinet

                                             Other offices and agencies that help the President

VI.  Judicial Branch             Facts about Federal Judges

                                             3 levels of Federal Courts

                                             Information on the US Supreme Court

5                                           Types of Jurisdiction

VII.  Political Parties

      Liberals/Moderates/Conservatives

5

Another Supreme Court case appeal denied

Police, tasers, pregnant woman, school zone....check out this link. Again don't comment on the woman's role in the case but rather why the US Supreme Court may have ruled the way they did in this case. So with the Supreme Court's decision, what happens to the woman/to the Seattle police officers???

Mr. Thompson

Olmsted Court

Ok I gave you the US Supreme Court and the State Supreme Court but a couple of you asked about so here it is...the link to the state court for Olmsted County. Go ahead a surf around and post what you find. See if you can find out when your friend court case is being heard, figure of what types of cases are heard on what days, see what the court is busy with these days.

Mr. Thompson

Obamacare

Since we have used this case as our example for several of our discussions on the US Supreme Court, I thought it only fair you get to comment on the law and subsequent SC ruling. Here is an article written from a very definite perspective. Comments are welcome.

Mr. Thompson

Supreme Court Case

Wow, so much of what we talked about in class is in this article. Feel free to comment on the process or the content of the case. There are also plenty of references to the content we studied during the amendments to the Constitution.

Mr. Thompson

Minnesota Supreme Court

As you become more of an expert on our US Supreme Court, here is a link to our State Supreme Court. You may respond with content or comparison.

Enjoy,
Mr. Thompson

Read this music lovers!

Check out this article. I don't really care if you think downloading music should be illegal or not...I am more curious of the role of the federal courts in the decision. Feel free to post comments or in this case maybe questions that you hope to have answered by someone.

Mr. Thompson

Welcome to the US Supreme Court

This is the home of the US Supreme Court. Feel free to surf the site for something you think is of interest and post your comments. Remember to write it well and respond to the following: what did you learn and why did you find that significant.

Mr. Thompson

Executive Test review

US GOVT REVIEW       EXECUTIVE BRANCH 

Ch. 8 The Presidency

1.      Know your chart on president + vice pres. eg. terms, limits, qualifications etc.

2.      You ned to understand how the Electoral College works.

3.      Be familiar with the president’s and vice pres. powers.

4.      Be familiar with the major duties and responsibilities of the pres.

a.       Commander in chief         e. Head of state

b.      Chief Diplomat                 f. Chief executive

c.       Legislative leader              g. Economic planner

d.      Party leader                       h. Judicial leader

Ch. 9 Presidential Leadership (Cabinet and Executive Office)

1.      Know what the Cabinet is. How long it has been around. How is a Secretary chosen. What is the role of the Cabinet.

2.      Know the 15 Depts. what each does.

3.      The Executive Office-What is it? Who created it and why?

A.    White House Office

i.                    Press Secretary

ii.                  Chief of Staff

iii.                White House Counsel

B.     National Security Council

i.                    National Security Advisor

ii.                  CIA

C.     Office of Management and Budget

i.                    Budget Director

D.    National Economic Council

Ch. 10 The Federal Bureaucracy

1. Know the difference between a Regulatory Agency, an Independent Agency and a Gov’t Corporation.
2. The Civil Service
3. Iron Triangle
4. Why has our federal bureaucracy grown so much over the years?
5. Know some of the major influences on our govt’s. policy-making.

A. Congress - legislation

                                               Budget

                        B. Courts

                        C. Other groups eg. gov’t agencies, interest groups

      There are a lot of other terms that we have studied that are in your notes. Be sure to review your notes to refresh on some of these important terms.

Be prepped and ready for Thursday,
Mr. Thompson

President Obama/Gay Marriage

After one of our classmates reported the NC amendment defining marriage, I saw this article about the President and his views on marriage. I don't want your views on the topic as that can be a very sensitive issue but feel free to comment on the President stating this publicly as the campaign season starts to heat up.

Mr. Thompson

Want to be President?

Whoever gets sworn in as US president in January 2013 will get to deal with Iran. Now that you know what you do as President and some of the powers you have at your disposal as president, imagine you take the Oval Office in January and get to deal with Iran and President Ahmedinejad. The following article gives you some info on the situation that exists in Iran according to some nations. Deal with Iran and run the risk of driving up oil prices at home. Don't deal with them and run the risk of an international crisis should Israel act. Anyone want to be president of the US?

Mr. Thompson

President Obama Pardons

After our quiz the other day some of you asked about who President Obama has pardoned. The following link gives you that info and also has an internal link to compare our 44th president with our other 43 presidents.

Enjoy, Mr. Thompson

Reporter's story of amazing visit to Afghanistan

Imagine the story you could tell if you were invited to fly to Afghanistan onboard Air Force One with the President. Check out this reporter's story.

Comments are welcome,
Mr. Thompson

The White House

Check out the website of the Executive Branch. You can click the link on the president's schedule and find out what a typical day in the life of President Obama looks like. There are a ton of links...feel free to open one read something and comment about its significants or what you learned. You can even contact the White House should you feel inclined.

Have fun surfing the homepage of our beloved White House,
Mr. Thompson

The Plum Book

When you are elected president of the United States, you receive the Plum Book which lists about 9000 jobs that you as president may have to appoint someone to. Do you know 9000 good people that you would be willing to entrust some part of the bureaucracy and your good name (remember you appointed them to the position). Check out the Plum Book for a possible career opportunity...great pay, all federal holidays off. Feel free to comment  by the time we test on the Executive Branch.

Mr. Thompson