Ap u.s. government & politics Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Current events discussion 7 Minutes

Warm-Up: Practice MCQ The terms “fiscal federalism” and “cooperative federalism” refer to situations in which: a. The federal government completely dominates state and local governments. b. States are forbidden any activity that has not been specifically approved by the Supreme Court. c. The federal judiciary uses its power of judicial review to ensure congressional dominance over state legislatures. d. State, municipal, and local income taxes are pooled by special agreement and redistributed in accordance with individual need. e. Federal, state and local governments work together to complete a project, with the federal government providing much of the project funding.

Federalism in graphics

Federalism Graphics Work: Political Cartoon #1 What point is the author of this cartoon making? What is the author’s viewpoint on the No Child Left Behind Act? Is this viewpoint biased?

Federalism Cartoon #1: MCQ The author of the cartoon is expressing the frustration felt by many states rights advocates with respect to: A) Categorical Grants B) Grants-in-Aid C) Unfunded Mandates D) The Supremacy Clause E) The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 10th Amendment

Federalism Chart What trend do you notice in the above graph? What common misperception about government might this graph be used to refute? What might be the cause(s) of the changes illustrated in this graph?

Federalism Graph: MCQ Which of the following are illustrated by the graph? I. The total number of government employees in the U.S. has increased substantially since the end of World War II. II. The total number of federal government employees in the U.S. has increased substantially since the end of World War II. III. The total number of state government employees in the U.S. has increased steadily since the end of World War II. A) I only B) I and II only C) II and III only D) I and III only E) I, II, and III

Cartoon #2: Small Group Discussion What point is the author of this cartoon making? What is the author’s viewpoint on the phenomenon described in this cartoon? Is this viewpoint biased?

Federalism Cartoon #2: MCQ What factor is most responsible for the phenomenon illustrated in the cartoon? A) The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 10th Amendment B) The Supremacy Clause C) Categorical Grants D) Modern military technology E) The Commerce Clause, and the Supreme Court’s interpretation thereof

Federalism Cartoon: Activity #3 Individual Assignment: Write a 4-point FRQ based on either of the above cartoons.

Wrap-Up Discussion Why is it important to develop the skill of analyzing and interpreting political cartoons and other graphics? Homework: Prepare for tomorrow’s Practice FRQ #3: Federalism (duh.) You should read all of Chapter 3 before tomorrow; focus on details – Especially Constitutional provisions and laws/policies that affect the balance of power between the national government and the states Don’t Forget: Textbook Chapter 3 and Outline due on Friday! MC and Vocab Quiz that same day