US Government & Politics

Enquiry Question: How effectively does Congress fulfil its functions?

Learning ObjectivesTo explain the roles of CongressTo develop specialist vocabularyTo evaluate how effectively Congress fulfils its roles

YOUR TASK:Mind map the roles of Congress.Make sure you leave room to add more information to this diagram later.You will be given a revision flashcard.On one side write the title of your assigned section of the reading.On the other you must condense everything about your section onto the card.Roles of Congress

RolesLegislativeProposals Committee StageDebateConference CommitteeVetoScrutinyConfirming presidential nomineesMonitoring government departmentsInvestigations and ImpeachmentsRatification of treatiesDeclaration of warRepresentationCaseworkEarmarksActive participation in local eventsIdeologyNB: This does not mean write everything really small prioritise information. What are the most important points?

Pass the ParcelYOUR TASK:You will pass your cards to the pair sitting to your RIGHT.You will get the card from the pair to your LEFT.You will have 5 minutes to add the information from their revision cards onto your diagram.You must pass your cards when the countdown clock ends.Keep passing the cards until you get your original cards back.

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What roles does Congress perform in the US political system?

15 marks = 15 minutes

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How did you do?LevelsDescriptorsLevel 3(11-15 marks)Full and developed knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates.Good or better ability to analyse and explain political information, arguments and explanations.Sophisticated ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making good use of appropriate vocabulary.Level 2(6-10 marks)Satisfactory knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates.Sound ability to analyse and explain political information, arguments and explanations.Adequate ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making some use of appropriate vocabulary.Level 1(1-5 marks)Limited knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates.Poor ability to analyse and explain political information, arguments and explanations.Weak ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making little or no use of appropriate vocabulary.

Use the mark scheme to self-assess your work.

Grade BoundariesA* - 14A - 13B - 11C - 9Put the grade you think your answer is, and the number of marks you awarded yourself on your answer.

Learning ObjectivesTo explain the roles of CongressTo develop specialist vocabularyTo evaluate how effectively Congress fulfils its roles

Topic Specific VocabularyIn this topic you will be coming across a variety of different terms and phrases that are specific to Congress.You need to be familiar with these and be able to use them confidently and accurately.You will complete a vocabulary test in the lesson.You will be able to revise and improve and re-take the test for homework.

Topic Specific Vocabulary

70% pass mark18/25Failure to achieve the pass mark will result in re-taking the test for homework.

Learning ObjectivesTo explain the roles of CongressTo develop specialist vocabularyTo evaluate how effectively Congress fulfils its roles

The Effectiveness Scale1 = Not effective2 = Rarely effective3 = Somewhat effective4 = Often effective5 = Mostly effectiveFor each function of Congress we are going to rank how effectively Congress fulfils it using the effectiveness scale.How effectively does Congress fulfil its functions?FunctionsEffectiveness Scale (1-5)Legislative RoleRepresentative RoleScrutiny Role

FunctionEffectiveness ScaleJustificationExampleLegislative RoleRepresentative RoleScrutiny Role

How effectively does Congress fulfil its functions?We are going to use this table to help us construct a model answer to the exam question, How effectively does Congress fulfil its functions?.In pairs, you will be assigned a role; you will complete the table for your part and feedback to the rest of the class.When other pairs are giving feedback make sure you complete your table you will need it to write an exam answer!

Legislative RoleEffectiveness ScaleJustification

Example:

Representative RoleEffectiveness ScaleJustification

Example:

Scrutinising the executiveEffectiveness ScaleJustification

Example:

How effectively does Congress fulfil its functions?Key Question

NOT AT ALLCOMPLETELYRARELYLARGELYFAIRLYSOMEWHATWrite your name on a post it and put it on the representative thermometer prepare to justify your decision!

RolesLegislativeProposals Committee StageDebateConference CommitteeVetoScrutinyConfirming presidential nomineesMonitoring government departmentsInvestigations and ImpeachmentsRatification of treatiesDeclaration of warRepresentationCaseworkEarmarksActive participation in local eventsIdeologyHOMEWORKYOUR TASK:Create a Wiki entry on the VLE for each role.Divide up the roles between you.Remember that others will use this as the basis for their revision it must be thorough and accurate!Use the textbook to help you.