1. Socratic Seminar Units 1-6

2. Unit 1: Principles of Government What were some of the reasons that the text indicated for governments forming? What effects did the sentiments and reasoning of the Enlightenment period have on America? Compare and contrast the similarities between the American government model and its European contemporaries. Why and how has American government changed?

3. Unit 2: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties What are civil rights? What are civil liberties? Compare and contrast them. Why and how are each necessary to American culture?

4. Unit 3: Political Participation, Government by the People Explain “government by the people”. Explain “political participation”. Where should government “draw the line”? Compare and contrast the United States to one other people-driven society in world history.

5. Unit 4: Why is the legislative branch necessary? Evaluate its role in American Government. What is the legislative branch's function? What “organ of government” does the American legislative branch most resemble? Is it the most important government branch in our nation? How is the legislative branch different today than it was when the nation was first established? List changes that were made.

6. Unit 5: Why is the executive branch necessary? Evaluate its role in American Government. What is the role of the executive branch? Why has it's role changed since Washington's Presidency? What factors contributed to changes in the executive branch's role? Is the executive branch necessary?

7. Unit 6 National Government: Judicial Branch What is the function of the judicial branch? How has its role changed? Should it exist? Why are laws and their interpretation necessary to a nation's stability?