Part II: Types of Government—Read Chapter 1 section 3 in the textbook and online readings to complete the following chart. Be sure to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of government!!

What is the definition of Absolute Monarchy?

What is the definition of Totalitarian/Dictatorship?

What is the definition of Oligarchy?

What is the definition of Parliamentary Democracy?

What is the definition of Presidential Democracy?

What is the definition of Direct Democracy?

What is an example of Absolute Monarchy?

What is an example of Totalitarian/Dictatorship?

What is an example of Oligarchy?

What is an example of Parliamentary Democracy?

What is an example of Presidential Democracy?

What is an example of Direct Democracy?

READ MARTIN LUTHER KING “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and then answer these questions BRIEFLY

1. How does Dr. King explain why he urges people to obey the Supreme Court’s decision, outlawing, segregated public schools, and then breaks laws that he disagrees with?

2. Any law that the grades a person is unjust according to Dr. King What does “degrade” mean? In what way does he thinks segregation is degrading to the individual?

3. According to Dr. King there is a difference between “just laws and unjust laws.” how do we determine a law that is just an a law that is unjust? Do you agree with Dr. Martin Luther King’s explanations?

4. When he says that a law can be “just on its face, but I’m just on this application”, What example does he give? What attitude does Dr. King say one should adopt, if breaking and unjust law?

5. Note that Dr. King does not use the term “civil disobedience.” Find dictionary definition of this word. Does Dr King’s actions meet the definition?

6. is there any current public law that you believe is unjust based on Dr. King’s description.

Answer the following questions

Influencing U.S. Democracy: Enlightenment Thinkers

Activity: Working with a partner, you will be tasked with gathering information about one of 4 Enlightenment Thinkers and the ideas they contributed to the development of American government. Then, taking on the persona of your assigned philosopher, you will draft a speech to be made to the class in which you convey that philosopher’s ideas and beliefs. Use this sheet to document your cooperative efforts.

Assigned Enlightenment Thinker:

Part I: Gathering Information—use your textbook and given handouts to answer the questions below.

Background Information:

1. Where was the philosopher born?

2. What was his upbringing?

3. What was his job?

4. Where did he study?

5. What book(s) did he write?

Philosophical Ideas:

6. What influences contributed to this thinker’s ideas?

7. Did this philosopher believe people could govern themselves?

8.Is humankind good or bad (according to him)?

Beliefs in Government:

9. What did this thinker believe is the best form of government?

10. Did this thinker contribute any new political ideas?

Part II: Compose a Speech—compose a 2 minute speech introducing your philosopher. Your speech should:

____ Include a brief biography

____ Cover the thinker’s philosophy on Government/basic beliefs

____ Be presented in a clear and concise fashion

OR

Write a Letter - write a letter, taking on the persona of your philosopher, to Thomas Jefferson in which you:

____ Include a brief biography

____ Provide advice on how American government should be structured

Part III: Closure—Typing your response below, respond to the following essay prompt as a pair to reflect on the contributions of all 4 philosophers to the development of American government:

The U.S. Constitution was influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment Thinkers such as Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes, and Montesquieu. Select two philosophers. Describe and compare the ideas they contributed to the development of American democracy.

The assignment is to read a CA based newspaper, then write a summary about an article that incorporates (specifically) the legislative branch (law making branch) that you are interested in. For example you might include a key term and definition from the chapter or maybe a statistic or quote from the chapter. Please remember to incorporate the book for full credit. 

Grading Criteria:

• Newspaper is CA. based?

• Legislative Branch is addressed

• Summary includes: Who, What, When, Where, Why

• Complete Sentences

• MLA or APA citations. Example is Brubaker, Bill. "New Health Center Targets County's Uninsured Patients." Washington Post, 24 May 2007, p. LZ01.