Thursday 12/12: 2.8 Judicial Systems - Mexico

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Describe the structure and functions of judiciaries.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

a. In China, rule by law (instead of rule of law) means the judicial system is subservient to the decisions of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), which controls most judicial appointments.

b. The Iranian judiciary’s major function is to ensure that the legal system is based on religious law, so judges must be trained in Islamic Sharia law. The head of the judiciary is appointed by the Supreme Leader and can nominate half of the Guardian Council with approval by the Majles.

c. The Mexican judiciary is in transition—the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review and subsequent constitutional amendments have been implemented with the intent to make the system more independent and effective.

d. In Mexico, Supreme Court magistrates are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate for a term of 15 years.

e. The Nigerian judiciary has the power of judicial review, and an effort has been made to reestablish its legitimacy and independence by reducing corruption; under the system of federalism, Islamic Sharia Courts have been established in the north.

f. In Nigeria, Supreme Court judges are recommended by a judicial council and are appointed by the president with confirmation by the Senate.

g. Russia’s government uses the judicial system to target opposition, and although constitutionally the courts have the power of judicial review, this power has not been used to limit the authority of the governing branches.

h. In Russia, judges are nominated by the president and approved by the Federation Council.

i. The United Kingdom’s judicial system uses common law to enforce the rule of law; major functions of the Supreme Court include its serving as the final court of appeals, protecting human/civil rights and liberties, and ruling on devolution disputes

Activity # 1:

Mexico Notes - Institutions

Activity # 2:

Mexico plays "the China Card" on Nafta Article

Activity # 3:

Mexico Political Party Chart - Assignment

Activity # 4:

Mexico's Drug War - Article

Activity # 5:

EdPuzzle - Mexico's War on Drugs

Wednesday 12/4: 2.7 Independent Legislatures

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Explain how legislative powers are constrained by other institutions and/or processes, which can affect legislative independence.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Legislative powers can be constrained by other governmental institutions, including:
a. China’s Politburo Standing Committee, which is the actual center of power in the Chinese state
b. China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), which assumes legislative duties most of the year when the NPC is not in session, sets NPC legislative agenda, supervises NPC member elections, and interprets the Constitution and laws
c. Iran’s Expediency Council, which is selected by the Supreme Leader as an advisory committee to resolve disputes between the Majles and the Guardian Council
d. Iran’s Guardian Council, which vets candidates and oversees the Majles to make sure laws comply with Islamic law

Legislatures have the potential to reinforce legitimacy and stability by responding to public demand, openly debating policy, facilitating compromise between factions, extending civil liberties, and restricting the power of the executive


Activity 1:

Mexico Geography Ed Puzzle

Making of the Modern State of Mexico Notes

Activity # 2:

Cautious Progress Article

Activity # 3:

President Trump - Mexico Article

Activity # 4:

Keys to Mexico - Assignment

12/2: Mexico Introduction

Activity # 1: 

Map of Mexico States - Complete

Activity # 2:

Making of the Modern State of Mexico Notes

11/25: Thanksgiving Break

Today's Class:

As we prepare for Thanksgiving Break, please use this time to get caught up. I will be doing the same. I will be updating grades hopefully a lot during the break. If you are missing items or possibly believe you are missing items, be proactive, look at the blog, complete assignments (only UK & Britains' assignments are open) email me during break.

Use today's class to review the blog and see if there is anything you need to complete. In the gradebook, if it is dash (-) I might still have to grade the assignment.

Questions? If so, please do not hesitate to email today and during the break..

- DeRose

Friday 11/15: UK TEST DAY

Before you begin today's exam, please put the desks in rows.

You will need a  blank piece of paper. Number down 1-30, you will just need to write the letter next to the number on the separate piece of paper. Make sure you name is on it.

Link for today's test 

Wednesday 11/13: 2.6 Legislative Systems

Enduring Understanding:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Describe legislative structures and functions in course countries.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Legislative institutions of course countries include the following structures and functions:
a. China’s party-controlled system is unicameral and consists of an elected National People’s Congress that the constitution recognizes as the government’s most powerful institution that elects the president, approves the premier, and legitimizes policies of the executive.

b. Iran’s theocracy is unicameral; the Majles is elected and holds the power to approve legislation, oversee the budget, and confirm presidential nominees to the Cabinet. This body acts under the supervision of the Guardian Council to ensure compatibility with Islam and Sharia law.

c. Mexico’s congressional-presidential system is bicameral. It consists of an elected lower house—the Chamber of Deputies—that approves legislation, levies taxes, and verifies outcomes of elections. The elected upper house, the Senate, holds the unique power to confirm presidential appointments to the Supreme Court, approve treaties, and approve federal intervention in state matters.

d. Nigeria’s congressional-presidential system is bicameral, consisting of an elected upper and lower chamber (Senate and House of Representatives). Both chambers hold the power to approve legislation, and the Senate possesses unique impeachment and confirmation powers.

e. Russia’s parliamentary-hybrid system is bicameral, and consists of an elected state Duma, which passes legislation and confirms the prime minister. An appointed Federation Council approves budget legislation, treaties, judicial nominees, and troop deployment.

f. The United Kingdom’s parliamentary system is bicameral, consisting of an elected House of Commons—which approves legislation— and the prime minister appointed by the monarch, whereas an appointed House of Lords reviews and amends bills from the Commons, effectively delaying implementation as a power check.

Activity # 1:

Citizens, Society & State Notes

Activity # 2:

UK & EU Study Guide

Activity # 3: 

UK & EU Study Guide # 2

Monday 11/11: 2.6 Legislative Systems

Enduring Understanding:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Describe legislative structures and functions in course countries.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Legislative institutions of course countries include the following structures and functions:
a. China’s party-controlled system is unicameral and consists of an elected National People’s Congress that the constitution recognizes as the government’s most powerful institution that elects the president, approves the premier, and legitimizes policies of the executive.

b. Iran’s theocracy is unicameral; the Majles is elected and holds the power to approve legislation, oversee the budget, and confirm presidential nominees to the Cabinet. This body acts under the supervision of the Guardian Council to ensure compatibility with Islam and Sharia law.

c. Mexico’s congressional-presidential system is bicameral. It consists of an elected lower house—the Chamber of Deputies—that approves legislation, levies taxes, and verifies outcomes of elections. The elected upper house, the Senate, holds the unique power to confirm presidential appointments to the Supreme Court, approve treaties, and approve federal intervention in state matters.

d. Nigeria’s congressional-presidential system is bicameral, consisting of an elected upper and lower chamber (Senate and House of Representatives). Both chambers hold the power to approve legislation, and the Senate possesses unique impeachment and confirmation powers.

e. Russia’s parliamentary-hybrid system is bicameral, and consists of an elected state Duma, which passes legislation and confirms the prime minister. An appointed Federation Council approves budget legislation, treaties, judicial nominees, and troop deployment.

f. The United Kingdom’s parliamentary system is bicameral, consisting of an elected House of Commons—which approves legislation— and the prime minister appointed by the monarch, whereas an appointed House of Lords reviews and amends bills from the Commons, effectively delaying implementation as a power check.

Activity # 1: 

UK's Governance & Policy Making Notes 

Activity # 2: 

Ed Puzzle - History of Great Britain

Activity # 3: 

20 Years after Peace Article

Activity # 4: 

Citizens, Society & the State Notes

Friday 11/1: 2.3 Executive Systems & 2.4 Executive Term Limits

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Explain the structure, function, and change of executive leadership in course countries.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Governments have executive institutions, including chief executives and cabinets, that formulate, implement, and enforce policy through different methods and agencies.

Titles, powers, structure, and functions vary in executive leadership across the six countries:

a. China’s president serves as commander in chief, chair of China’s Military Commission, and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist party (NPC); the president nominates the premier of the NPC, who in turn serves as head of government overseeing the civil service; changes in top leadership are accomplished behind closed doors.

b. Iran’s Supreme Leader sets the political agenda, serves as commander in chief, and appoints top ministers, the Expediency Council, half of the Guardian Council, and the head of the judiciary. The president is elected for up to two 4-year terms, oversees the civil service, and conducts foreign policy.

c. Mexico’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as commander in chief and leader of the bureaucracy, and can approve domestic legislation and lead foreign policy; the president is restricted to one term.

d. Nigeria’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as chief executive, commander in chief, and head of civil service, and can approve domestic legislation and conduct foreign policy.

e. Russia’s prime minister, the head of government, oversees the civil service. The elected president, head of state and commander in chief, appoints top ministers, conducts foreign policy, and presides over the Duma under certain conditions.

f. The United Kingdom’s monarch serves ceremonially as head of state and formally appoints as prime minister the leader of the party or coalition holding the largest number of seats in the House of Commons. The prime minister can call elections, sets the foreign policy agenda, and serves as de facto commander in chief and chief executive over the civil service.

Activity # 1: 

Read the Article BBC News Speaker 

Activity # 2: 

UK's Governance & Policy Making Notes 

Activity # 2: 

Wednesday 10/30 : 2.3 Executive Systems & 2.4 Executive Term Limits

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Explain the structure, function, and change of executive leadership in course countries.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Governments have executive institutions, including chief executives and cabinets, that formulate, implement, and enforce policy through different methods and agencies.

Titles, powers, structure, and functions vary in executive leadership across the six countries:

a. China’s president serves as commander in chief, chair of China’s Military Commission, and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist party (NPC); the president nominates the premier of the NPC, who in turn serves as head of government overseeing the civil service; changes in top leadership are accomplished behind closed doors.

b. Iran’s Supreme Leader sets the political agenda, serves as commander in chief, and appoints top ministers, the Expediency Council, half of the Guardian Council, and the head of the judiciary. The president is elected for up to two 4-year terms, oversees the civil service, and conducts foreign policy.

c. Mexico’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as commander in chief and leader of the bureaucracy, and can approve domestic legislation and lead foreign policy; the president is restricted to one term.

d. Nigeria’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as chief executive, commander in chief, and head of civil service, and can approve domestic legislation and conduct foreign policy.

e. Russia’s prime minister, the head of government, oversees the civil service. The elected president, head of state and commander in chief, appoints top ministers, conducts foreign policy, and presides over the Duma under certain conditions.

f. The United Kingdom’s monarch serves ceremonially as head of state and formally appoints as prime minister the leader of the party or coalition holding the largest number of seats in the House of Commons. The prime minister can call elections, sets the foreign policy agenda, and serves as de facto commander in chief and chief executive over the civil service.

Activity # 1: 

Log into AP Classroom / Planner and Take Topic Quiz 2.1, 2.2, & 2.3. 

Activity # 2: 

UK's Governance & Policy Making Notes 

Activity # 3:

Click on the assignment & begin  - Britain's Political Parties Chart DUE FRIDAY

Thursday 10/24: 2.3 Executive Systems

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Explain the structure, function, and change of executive leadership in course countries.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Governments have executive institutions, including chief executives and cabinets, that formulate, implement, and enforce policy through different methods and agencies.

Titles, powers, structure, and functions vary in executive leadership across the six countries:

a. China’s president serves as commander in chief, chair of China’s Military Commission, and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist party (NPC); the president nominates the premier of the NPC, who in turn serves as head of government overseeing the civil service; changes in top leadership are accomplished behind closed doors.

b. Iran’s Supreme Leader sets the political agenda, serves as commander in chief, and appoints top ministers, the Expediency Council, half of the Guardian Council, and the head of the judiciary. The president is elected for up to two 4-year terms, oversees the civil service, and conducts foreign policy.

c. Mexico’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as commander in chief and leader of the bureaucracy, and can approve domestic legislation and lead foreign policy; the president is restricted to one term.

d. Nigeria’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as chief executive, commander in chief, and head of civil service, and can approve domestic legislation and conduct foreign policy.

e. Russia’s prime minister, the head of government, oversees the civil service. The elected president, head of state and commander in chief, appoints top ministers, conducts foreign policy, and presides over the Duma under certain conditions.

f. The United Kingdom’s monarch serves ceremonially as head of state and formally appoints as prime minister the leader of the party or coalition holding the largest number of seats in the House of Commons. The prime minister can call elections, sets the foreign policy agenda, and serves as de facto commander in chief and chief executive over the civil service.

Activity # 1: 

Finish writing the above in your notebook. Letters (A - F)

Activity # 2: 

UK's Governance & Policy Making Notes 

Activity # 3:

Click on the assignment & begin  - Britain's Political Parties Chart

Tuesday 10/22: 2.3 Executive Systems

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Explain the structure, function, and change of executive leadership in course countries.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Governments have executive institutions, including chief executives and cabinets, that formulate, implement, and enforce policy through different methods and agencies.

Titles, powers, structure, and functions vary in executive leadership across the six countries:

a. China’s president serves as commander in chief, chair of China’s Military Commission, and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist party (NPC); the president nominates the premier of the NPC, who in turn serves as head of government overseeing the civil service; changes in top leadership are accomplished behind closed doors.

b. Iran’s Supreme Leader sets the political agenda, serves as commander in chief, and appoints top ministers, the Expediency Council, half of the Guardian Council, and the head of the judiciary. The president is elected for up to two 4-year terms, oversees the civil service, and conducts foreign policy.

c. Mexico’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as commander in chief and leader of the bureaucracy, and can approve domestic legislation and lead foreign policy; the president is restricted to one term.

d. Nigeria’s elected president, as both head of state and head of government, serves as chief executive, commander in chief, and head of civil service, and can approve domestic legislation and conduct foreign policy.

e. Russia’s prime minister, the head of government, oversees the civil service. The elected president, head of state and commander in chief, appoints top ministers, conducts foreign policy, and presides over the Duma under certain conditions.

f. The United Kingdom’s monarch serves ceremonially as head of state and formally appoints as prime minister the leader of the party or coalition holding the largest number of seats in the House of Commons. The prime minister can call elections, sets the foreign policy agenda, and serves as de facto commander in chief and chief executive over the civil service.

Activity # 1:

Boris Johnson Addresses Parliament Article - Brexit Latest Developments

Activity # 2:

UK's Governance & Policy Making Notes 

Activity # 3: 

Wednesday 10/16: 2.2 Comparing Parliamentary, Presidential, and SemiPresidential Systems

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Compare institutional relations among parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE:

Although parliamentary systems have fewer institutional obstacles to enact policy than presidential systems (presidential systems have divided branch powers), parliamentary systems have their own checks on the executive branch.

Parliaments may censure cabinet ministers, refuse to pass executive proposed legislation, question the executive and cabinet ministers, and impose time deadlines on calling new elections.


Activity # 1:

Queen's Speech  - Click on link and read what happens when the Queen addresses Parliament, also known as the Queens Speech.

Video Link on Queen's Speech

Activity # 2:


Homework:

Read the article - Media's Role in British Politics

Complete the assignment that goes with the Article - Media's Role

Tuesday Oct 8th: Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

2.1 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE 

Describe parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

1 Parliamentary systems, such as the United Kingdom, combine the lawmaking and executive functions, which allows the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet.

2 Presidential systems, such as Mexico and Nigeria, feature a cabinet that is mostly responsible to the elected executive, with a legislature that can only remove cabinet members through impeachment. These systems have separate fixed-term, popular elections for the national legislature, and a top executive leader serving as both head of state and head of government.

3 Semi-presidential systems, such as Russia, feature separate popular elections for the president and for the national legislature, allowing the president to nominate a prime minister (who must be approved by the legislature); members of the cabinet are held accountable by both the president and legislature.

Activity # 1:

Click on the link for today's assignment - Institutions of the UK

Activity # 2: 

Click on the link - Ed Puzzle: Parliament 

Wednesday 10/2: 2.1 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

2.1 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE 

Describe parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

1 Parliamentary systems, such as the United Kingdom, combine the lawmaking and executive functions, which allows the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet.

2 Presidential systems, such as Mexico and Nigeria, feature a cabinet that is mostly responsible to the elected executive, with a legislature that can only remove cabinet members through impeachment. These systems have separate fixed-term, popular elections for the national legislature, and a top executive leader serving as both head of state and head of government.

3 Semi-presidential systems, such as Russia, feature separate popular elections for the president and for the national legislature, allowing the president to nominate a prime minister (who must be approved by the legislature); members of the cabinet are held accountable by both the president and legislature.


Activity # 1:

Click on the link for today's assignment - Institutions of the UK

Activity # 2: 

Click & download General Election Article This will be an in class read. 

Activity # 3:

Click & download Making of the Modern British State Notes

Monday 9/30 - 2.1 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE 

Describe parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

1 Parliamentary systems, such as the United Kingdom, combine the lawmaking and executive functions, which allows the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet.

2 Presidential systems, such as Mexico and Nigeria, feature a cabinet that is mostly responsible to the elected executive, with a legislature that can only remove cabinet members through impeachment. These systems have separate fixed-term, popular elections for the national legislature, and a top executive leader serving as both head of state and head of government.

3 Semi-presidential systems, such as Russia, feature separate popular elections for the president and for the national legislature, allowing the president to nominate a prime minister (who must be approved by the legislature); members of the cabinet are held accountable by both the president and legislature.


Activity # 1:

Click on the link for today's assignment - Institutions of the UK

Tuesday 9/24 TOPIC 2.1 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:

The structure and function of political institutions reflect the allocation of power within a political system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Describe parliamentary, presidential, and semi-presidential systems.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE: 

Parliamentary systems, such as the United Kingdom, combine the lawmaking and executive functions, which allows the national legislature to select and remove the head of government and cabinet.

Presidential systems, such as Mexico and Nigeria, feature a cabinet that is mostly responsible to the elected executive, with a legislature that can only remove cabinet members through impeachment. These systems have separate fixed-term, popular elections for the national legislature, and a top executive leader serving as both head of state and head of government.

Semi-presidential systems, such as Russia, feature separate popular elections for the president and for the national legislature, allowing the president to nominate a prime minister (who must be approved by the legislature); members of the cabinet are held accountable by both the president and legislature.


Test Review: 

Next Class we will be taking the Vocabulary portion of the Test. The link below will be a great study guide for the test.

http://www.studystack.com/flashcard-237060

Activity # 1: 

As we get closer to our first unit test, next week you will need to know these vocabulary terms
- Unit 1 Vocab Terms - You need to put these terms into your notebook and define these terms. Make sure this is done!!!

Wednesday Sept 18th - Unit 1 Test Review Day

Activity # 1: 

Log into AP Classroom. Take the assessment Unit 1 Progress Check MCQ.  Based on your results, we can develop a personalized plan of study for you.  Once you get an idea of where you need to focus your study, we will look at Khan Academy & Ed Puzzles to learn about lessons to strengthen your content and skill mastery.

Checklist for Exam: 

All Topic Quizzes are completed
Progress Check MCQ is completed
All Vocabulary are defined in your notebook
Notes are up to date
You have completed the readings assigned

Monday Sept 16th - Test Review Week:

Test Review Week:

Vocabulary Terms:

Unit 1 Vocab Terms - You need to put these terms into your notebook and define these terms. This needs to be complete during class today. I am planning on collecting your notebooks while you take the Unit 1 Test. 

It looks as if our Unit 1 Exam will be this Friday. 

Writing Prompts: 

I will be selecting 2 of the following:

Define political legitimacy and describe two sources of legitimacy.

Define the concepts of “globalization” and “sovereignty” and explain the interaction between the two.

Identify two positive impacts (advantages) of globalization. Identify two negative impacts (disadvantages) of globalization.

I will be selecting 1 of the following:  

Democracy exists along a continuum. During the 1980s and 90s, many countries attempted to democratize. Some were more successful than others. Using your knowledge of AP Comparative Politics, complete the following tasks:

A.) Define illiberal democracy and provide an example from the six countries studied in AP Comparative Politics.

B.) Define liberal democracy and provide an example from the six countries studied in AP Comparative Politics.

C.) Describe a change in policy that would make an illiberal democracy more liberal.

Many of the countries covered in the AP Comparative Government and Politics course are multination states.

A.) Define the concept of a state.

B.) Explain how a nation is different from a state.

C.) Describe one challenge governments face in securing stability in multination states.

D.) Discuss two policies that governments have taken to address the challenge you described in part (C).