Course Outline: What to Read, Watch, & Do For Each Class
This is the schedule of topics, required readings, and assignments due dates for this semester. Check the Class Calendar to see what topic we’re covering on which date, then open that topic’s drawer to see what you need to read, watch, and do for that topic.
- Actively participate in our first class session.
- Read the entire syllabus. Use the google docs comments function on the syllabus on anything that is unclear or you want to discuss further.
- Read The Constitution, Chapter 2
- Watch Crash Course Videos 2-5
Read & Watch Before Class:
- Read The Constitution
- Read Chapter 2
- Watch Crash Course Videos 2-5
- Study for Quiz 1 (check your Class Calendar for the date)
Participate in Class
- Actively participate in our class sessions
- Here are the slides
- Prepare for and participate in Discussion 1
Discussion 1
- Read Federalist 51carefully several times. Write notes in the margin explaining what the different sections mean, so that you have a full understanding and are able to intelligently discuss the text with your peers when we meet. You should also be prepared to discuss your process of reading/annotating/writing when we meet.
- Once you have read the text, handwrite your responses:
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one thing in this text that you think the author got right- something that still works in 2026 the way he wrote about it in 1788.
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one thing in this text that you’d like to challenge the author on- something you think was inaccurate or wrong in 1788, or which doesn’t really hold up in 2026.
- Pick a quote from this text that can speak to the question “What is the best form of government?” and write 1-2 paragraphs about what the quote makes you think/what it inspires in you about the question “What is the best form of government?” Follow the path a bit on where your thoughts lead you, and write it all down.
- I’ll collect your responses at the start of class (online class, submit a photo to dropbox before class starts; in person class, I’ll check your responses at the start of class in person)
- It’s okay to have some questions about the text even after your careful reading of both it and your assigned course reading. But don’t let yourself off too easily! If your question is “I don’t get the whole thing/it was too confusing” then you definitely haven’t tried hard enough. This piece was written for a general audience and people have been reading it for 200+ years. It’s not impossible, it just requires effort and time!
Read & Watch Before Class:
- Read Before our class: Chapter 3, Chapter 16
- Watch Crash Course Video 4
- Study for Quiz 2
- Prepare for Discussion 2
Participate in Class
- Here are the slides
- Actively participate in our class sessions
Discussion 2
- Read Seventh Lincoln-Douglas Debate carefully several times. Write notes in the margin explaining what the different sections mean, so that you have a full understanding and are able to intelligently discuss the text with your peers when we meet. You should also be prepared to discuss your process of reading/annotating/writing when we meet.
- Once you have read the text, handwrite your responses:
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one thing in this text that you think each author (1 from Lincoln, 1 from Douglas) got right- something that still works in 2026 the way they wrote about it in 1858.
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one thing in this text that you’d like to challenge each author on (1 from Lincoln, 1 from Douglas) – something you think was inaccurate or wrong in 1858, or which doesn’t really hold up in 2026.
- Pick a quote from this text that can speak to the question “What is the best form of government?” and write 1-2 paragraphs about what the quote makes you think/what it inspires in you about the question “What is the best form of government?” Follow the path a bit on where your thoughts lead you, and write it all down.
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about an additional idea you’d like to discuss with your colleagues from text that you haven’t already written about in 1-3.
- I’ll collect your responses at the start of class (online class, submit a photo to dropbox before class starts; in person class, I’ll check your responses at the start of class in person)
- It’s okay to have some questions about the text even after your careful reading of both it and your assigned course reading. But don’t let yourself off too easily! If your question is “I don’t get the whole thing/it was too confusing” then you definitely haven’t tried hard enough. This piece was a live debate in front of a general audience. It’s not impossible, it just requires a little effort and time!
Read & Watch Before Class:
- Read Before our class: Chapter 4
- Watch Crash Course Videos 23-28
- Study for Quiz 3
- Prepare for Discussion 3
Participate in Class
- Here are the slides
- Take Quiz 3 in class
- Participate actively in class sessions
Discussion 3
Read Letter from Birmingham Jail carefully several times. Write notes in the margin explaining what the different sections mean, so that you have a full understanding and are able to intelligently discuss the text with your peers when we meet. You should also be prepared to discuss your process of reading/annotating/writing when we meet.
- Write 1-2 paragraphs drawing connections from this reading to civil liberties (make sure you don’t slip into civil rights!).
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one connection you draw between this and our first two discussion readings.
- Pick a quote from this text that can speak to the question “What is the best form of government?” and write 1-2 paragraphs about what the quote makes you think/what it inspires in you about the question “What is the best form of government?” Follow the path a bit on where your thoughts lead you, and write it all down.
- Find a current NYT article (no older than 6 months) and write 1-2 paragraphs about how it connects to this reading and current civil liberties issues. Include the title, author and date in your paragraph.
It’s okay to have some questions about the text even after your careful reading of both it and your assigned course reading. But don’t let yourself off too easily! If your question is “I don’t get the whole thing/it was too confusing” then you definitely haven’t tried hard enough. It’s not impossible, it just requires a little effort and time!
Read & Watch Before Class:
- Read Before our class: Chapter 5
- Watch Crash Course Videos 29-32
- Study for Quiz 4
- Prepare for Discussion 4
Participate in Class
- Here are the slides
- Take Quiz 4 in class
- Participate actively in class sessions
- Prepare for Midterm Exam!
- online: take the exam from April 24-26
- in person: make your study sheet, and take exam in class April 28.
Discussion 4
Read For the Equal Rights Amendment by Shirley Chisholm carefully several times. Write notes in the margin explaining what the different sections mean, so that you have a full understanding and are able to intelligently discuss the text with your peers when we meet. You should also be prepared to discuss your process of reading/annotating/writing when we meet.
- Write 1-2 paragraphs drawing connections from this reading to to a specific part of our assigned textbook reading.
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one connection you draw between this and our first three discussion readings.
- Pick a quote from this text that can speak to the question “What is the best form of government?” and write 1-2 paragraphs about what the quote makes you think/what it inspires in you about the question “What is the best form of government?” Follow the path a bit on where your thoughts lead you, and write it all down.
- Find a current NYT article (no older than 6 months) and write 1-2 paragraphs about how it connects to this reading. Include the title, author and date in your paragraph, and bring a copy of the article to share with your discussion group (as a link if your class is online, a printout if your class is in person).
- Choose a song and write 1-2 paragraphs about how you connect it to this reading.
It’s okay to have some questions about the text even after your careful reading of both it and your assigned course reading. But don’t let yourself off too easily! If your question is “I don’t get the whole thing/it was too confusing” then you definitely haven’t tried hard enough. It’s not impossible, it just requires a little effort and time!
- Read Before our class: Chapter 11, Chapters 20-24
- Watch Crash Course Videos 6-10.
- Here are the slides
- Actively participate in class sessions.
- Online Class: complete and upload Congressional Simulation Assignment to dropbox before Simulation class
- In Person Class: complete and print Congressional Simulation Assignment and submit at beginning of Simulation class.
- Participate in simulation in class
- In person instructions
- Online instructions and notes
Read & Watch Before Class:
- Read Chapter 12
- Crash Course Videos 11-14.
- Study for Quiz 6
- Prepare for Discussion 5
Participate in Class
- Here are the slides
- Take Quiz 6
- Actively participate in our class sessions
Discussion 5
Read the following documents carefully several times:
- Declaration by the United States of America of a State of War With Japan, December 8, 1941
- War Powers Resolution 1973
- Joint Resolution To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.
- Joint Resolution To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq.
Write notes in the margin explaining what the different sections mean, and look up things you’re unsure of (without AI, but with Wikipedia if you like) so that you have a full understanding and are able to intelligently discuss the text with your peers when we meet. You should also be prepared to discuss your process of reading/annotating/writing when we meet.
- Write 1-2 paragraphs drawing connections from this reading to to a specific part of our assigned textbook reading (include the page number or link in your citation to the reading).
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one connection you draw between this and any of our first four discussion readings (this might be tough, but do your best!).
- Pick a quote from these texts that can speak to the question “What is the best form of government?” and write 1-2 paragraphs about what the quote makes you think/what it inspires in you about the question “What is the best form of government?” Follow the path a bit on where your thoughts lead you, and write it all down.
- Find a current NYT article (no older than 6 months) and write 1-2 paragraphs about how it connects to this reading. Include the title, author and date in your paragraph, and bring a copy of the article to share with your discussion group (as a link if your class is online, a printout if your class is in person).
- Choose a song/piece of art/meme/image and write 1-2 paragraphs about how you connect it to this reading.
It’s okay to have some questions about the text even after your careful reading of both it and your assigned course reading. But don’t let yourself off too easily! If your question is “I don’t get the whole thing/it was too confusing” then you definitely haven’t tried hard enough. It’s not impossible, it just requires a little effort and time!
- Read Before our class: Budgeting and Tax Policy, Chapter 40: American Budget Priorities, Chapter 45 and 46, Congressional Campaign Financing, Chapter 54: Campaign Finance
- Here are the slides
- Crash Course Videos: Monetary and Fiscal Policy
- Video: Federal Government Spending: Where the Money Comes from and Where It Goes
- Study for Quiz 8
- Actively participate in our class sessions
Reading:
- 2nd Amendment Section of Openstax 4.2
- U.S. Gun Policy: Framework and Major Issues by the Congressional Research Service
- Smart, Nesbit, and Schell Mass Shootings in the United States
- Explore Gun Policy in America from Rand
- Explore Topic: Gun Ownership & Regulation from Pew Research Center
- Other Countries Had Mass Shootings. Then They Changed Their Gun Laws.
- Comparing Deaths from Gun Violence in the U.S. with Other Countries
- Majority of Supreme Court Appears Skeptical of Hawaii Gun Law
- Actively participate in our class sessions
- Submit Museum Review and/or Photo Essay to the class dropbox link by May 31.
- Reading: TBD
- Actively participate in our class sessions
- Reading: TBD
- Actively participate in our class sessions
Read & Watch Before Class:
- Prepare for Final Discussion
- Complete Final Slide
- Complete Protest Poster (if you’re doing that assignment)
Participate in Class
- Actively participate in our class session
- Present your Final Slide (3-5 minutes) in our final class
- Present your Protest Poster (5 minutes) if you’re doing that assignment
Final Discussion
- Read/watch both of the following pieces carefully several times. Make a list of the scenes in the music video, and take notes on both documents- what do you notice, what stands out, and what do you have questions about? Submit these notes, along with your handwritten .
- The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
- This is America by Childish Gambino (please analyze the video, but you can also see the lyrics here if you like)
- Prepare your answers to these questions:
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about one thing that was interesting to you in the poem and the music video. Be specific! How do your selections relate to each other? To our learning this semester?
- Both of these pieces are rich with references to historical and current events in the US. Pick one from each piece and write 1-2 paragraphs about them- what is being referenced, and how?
- Pick a quote from the Amanda Gorman piece and a scene from the Childish Gambino video that can speak to the question “What is the best form of government?” and write 1-2 paragraphs about what the quotes makes you think/what it inspires in you about the question “What is the best form of government?”. How do your selections speak to each other?
- Write 1-2 paragraphs about how each of these pieces make you feel about what you have learned this semester. Which resonates more with you at this point, and why? Be specific!
- Online class: Submit photo of your notes and handwritten responses to class dropbox link BEFORE discussion class starts
- In person class: submit your notes and handwritten responses at start of discussion class
- Take Final Exam
- Submit any outstanding work by last date on your Class Calendar.
