Unit 2500: Foundations and Functions of the U.S. Political System

1. The Founding Fathers and the Constitution

1.1 Historical Background

• Colonial America and the need for a unified government
• The Articles of Confederation and its limitations
• The Constitutional Convention of 1787

1.2 Key Figures

• George Washington
• James Madison
• Alexander Hamilton
• Benjamin Franklin
• Other notable delegates

1.3 Principles of the Constitution

• Popular sovereignty
• Limited government
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances
• Federalism

1.4 Major Compromises

• The Great Compromise (bicameral legislature)
• The Three-Fifths Compromise
• Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

2. Federalism in the United States

2.1 Definition and Concept

• What is federalism?
• Historical development of federalism

2.2 Division of Powers

• Enumerated powers
• Reserved powers
• Concurrent powers

2.3 Roles and Responsibilities

• Powers of the federal government
• Powers of state governments
• Interaction and conflicts between federal and state governments

2.4 Contemporary Issues in Federalism

• Case studies on federal vs state authority

3. The Three Branches of Government

3.1 Legislative Branch

• Structure of Congress: House of Representatives and Senate
• Powers and functions

3.2 Executive Branch

• Role of the President
• Executive agencies and enforcement of laws

3.3 Judicial Branch

• Structure of the federal court system
• Role of the Supreme Court

3.4 Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

• How branches limit and balance each other
• Examples and case studies

4. The Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties

4.1 Overview of the Bill of Rights

• The first ten amendments

4.2 Key Rights and Liberties

• Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly
• Right to bear arms
• Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
• Rights of accused persons

4.3 Civil Liberties in Practice

• Landmark Supreme Court cases
• Balancing security and liberty

5. Elections and Political Participation

5.1 The Electoral Process

• How elections are conducted
• Primary, general, and special elections

5.2 Political Parties and Systems

• Major political parties
• Role and influence of third parties

5.3 Voting Systems

• Plurality, majority, and proportional representation

5.4 Campaign Finance

• Sources of campaign funding
• Regulations and controversies

5.5 Factors Influencing Voter Turnout

• Demographics, socioeconomic status, and political efficacy

5.6 Political Engagement

• Beyond voting: activism, lobbying, and civic participation

6. Public Policy and Policymaking

6.1 The Policymaking Process

• Agenda setting
• Policy formulation
• Implementation
• Evaluation

6.2 Key Policy Areas

• Healthcare policy
• Immigration policy
• Environmental protection

6.3 Actors in Policymaking

• Government officials
• Interest groups
• Media and public opinion

6.4 Challenges in Policymaking

• Partisanship and gridlock
• Policy impact assessment

7. Civil Rights and Social Movements

7.1 Historical Overview of Civil Rights in the U.S.

• Early struggles and abolition

7.2 The Civil Rights Movement

• Key figures: Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X
• Major events and legislation

7.3 The Women's Rights Movement

• Suffrage movement
• The feminist waves and key achievements

7.4 Other Social Movements

• LGBTQ+ rights
• Disability rights

7.5 Impact on Society and Government

• Legal reforms
• Social change

8. The Role of the Media in American Politics

8.1 Media as a Political Actor

• Functions of the media in democracy
• Agenda-setting and framing

8.2 Media and Public Opinion

• Influence on voter perceptions
• Media bias and partisanship

8.3 Media and Government Accountability

• Investigative journalism
• Transparency and whistleblowing

8.4 Challenges and Ethical Considerations

• Fake news and misinformation
• Privacy issues
• Regulation and freedom of the press