Unit 1 – Defining Government and Understanding our

Constitution

Dr. East

Review Answers to the Naturalization Test

• See http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20Citizenship/Citizenship%20Resource%20Center%20Site/Publications/100q.pdf

• At this site, they also have versions of this publication in Spanish and Chinese. They also have vocabulary flash cards in these languages too.

• These could help you a lot when you prepare or study for the AP Exam and my tests.

Other resources that might help you, available via

Amazon or local bookstores.

Think! Why do we need government?

• __________________• __________________• __________________• For Order!

– What do we mean by “order”?– Why is order good?

• To help promote Civility!– What are the various meanings of civility?

• For personal and group EmPOWERment!– How can you be empowered?

By Augstine Rodin, French Scuptor, 1902

What is the “American Dream” and how does Government help (or hinder) people achieving it?

• Give me examples of Government helping.

• Give me examples of Government hurting (hindering) people.

Defining Government and Politics• Government = body or group of people that makes laws

and policies (rules, procedures and statements, like our dress code policy) and ensures that they are followed.

• Governments do this for their citizens. – Citizens are those people that “by law” are members

of a political community and have certain freedoms and rights because of it.

• Who in US are citizens?

• How can some non-citizens become citizens?

• What are some of their rights “by law”?

Defining Politics

• Studying government requires that people study politics.

• The word “politics” refers to a process and this process is how laws, policies, rules, etc. get made. It is social activity that many people engage in (by voting or by discussing, etc.) and in the US people have free elections that help determine our government/political leaders

• Politics determines who gets what when and where and how!

Breaking down the “Preamble to the Constitution” (written, 1787 by people we

call the Framers)

• “We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for a common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

– Let’s tackle the words you don’t know: – ????

Finish a Worksheet on Functions of Government

Vocabulary Practice in Teams

What are the 3 basic powers of Gov. outlined in our Const.?

BTW, a Constitution = a document that the describes the structure, functions, powers, and limitations of a country’s government.

1.Legislative = power to make laws (Congress = Senate + House of Representatives)

1. Our Congress is a bicameral group, meaning it has two branches

2.Executive = power to execute, enforce, and administer laws, these are the President and the bureaucracy

• What are some bureaucratic agencies?

3.Judicial = power to interpret laws, settle disputes that arise between individuals or groups in society, the court system, Supreme Court, federal courts, etc.