1. Introducing Government in America

2. How Politically Savvy Are You?

3. 1. What political party has a majority in the House of Representatives? The Senate? 2. Who is the current Speaker of the House? 3. How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court? 4. Who is the most recent appointee to the U.S. Supreme Court? 5. How many electors are there in the Electoral College?

4. 6. How many electoral votes does the President need in order to win the Presidency? 7. Name one U.S. Senator from Illinois. 8. Name one of the candidates running for governor in Illinois. 9. What is Proposition 8? 10. What is Park 51?

5. 1. What political party has a majority in the House of Representatives? The Senate? Senate: 55 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents House of Representatives: 256 Democrats, 178 Republicans Source: www.uscensus.gov

6. 2. Who is the current Speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

7. 3. How many justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court? Nine

8. 4. Who is the most recent appointee to the U.S. Supreme Court? Elena Kagan

9. 5. How many electors are there in the Electoral College? 100 + 425 + 3 = 538 Source: www.archives.gov

10. 6. How many electoral votes does the President need in order to win the Presidency? 2 7 0

11. Name one U.S. Senator from Illinois. Richard J. Durbin (D) Roland Burris (D)

12. 8. Name one of the candidates running for governor in Illinois. Bill Brady (R) and Pat Quinn (D)

13. 9. What is Proposition 8? Proposition 8 (or the California Marriage Protection Act) was a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008, state elections. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” Source: wikipedia.com

14. 10. What is Park 51? Park51, as it is to be called, will have a large Islamic “prayer room,” which presumably qualifies as a mosque. But the rest of the building will be devoted to classrooms, an auditorium, galleries, a restaurant, a memorial to the victims of September 11, 2001, and a swimming pool and gym. Read more http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2010/08/16/100816taco_talk_he rtzberg#ixzz0xfoOAOCX.

15. The Scope of Government Fundamental Question: Is the government responsible for ensuring important societal goals (such as adequate healthcare or fair business practices) are achieved?

16. Government Matters

17. Young People are Politically Apathetic Why? – They think they can’t make a difference – They think the political system is corrupt – They don’t care What are the benefits of being informed? – Fostering Civic Virtues – Informed Voting – Active Political Participation

18. Government The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society. Essential Questions – How should we govern? – What should government do?

19. Government Basic Functions of Government – Maintain National Defense – Provide Public Services – Preserve Order – Socialize the Young – Collect Taxes

20. Politics The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. “Who gets what, when, and how.” (Lasswell) – Who: Voters, Candidates, Groups, Parties – What: Issues, Services, Benefits – How: Voting, Lobbying, Protesting

21. Policymaking The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time Essential Components – People – Linkage Institutions – Policy Agenda – Institutions – Policy

22. Democracy A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.

23. Democracy Democratic Theory – Equality in Voting – Effective Participation – Citizen Control of the Agenda – Inclusion Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights

24. Group Tasks Compare and contrast the three contemporary theories of American democracy. Which is most reflective of American politics today? Why? Explain the challenges to traditional democracy. Which is the most significant challenge? What can be done to resolve the challenge? Compare your list of elements of US Political Culture to those listed on pp. 19-21. Are we in danger of losing any of these political values?