AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Teacher Ms Amy Lanham We will

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Teacher: Ms. Amy Lanham We will begin at 10: 00 am CST. Feel free to chat until we begin.

PART 1 PROJECT Unit 1 Project Ideas: 1. Write 300 to 500 words on one of the following topics: • What characteristics should a leader in government possess? You might want to give Biblical examples and cite verses to support your ideas. • Explain the meaning of one of the Bible passages on leadership discussed in Lesson 4. Give examples of how that passage applies to life situations, real or hypothetical. 2. Create a Power Point slide show creatively illustrating the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 1 -17). 3. Memorize Romans 13: 1 -7.

PART 1 PROJECT Unit 2 Project Ideas 1. Write 300 to 500 words on one of the following topics: § Do all people have the right to be free? In his “City on a Hill” sermon, John Winthrop said, “God almighty in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission. ” On the other hand, one of the motivations stated by President George W. Bush for the war on terror was what he called the God-given right of every person to enjoy personal and political freedom. Is this freedom a Biblical right or is it drawn from popular modern thinking? § Describe the government you would establish if you were starting a country. 2. Make a poster illustrating and explaining the basic elements of the forms of government explained on pages 34 -35. 3. Make a short video (one to five minutes) that creatively explains the forms of government explained on pages 34 -35.

PART 1 PROJECT Unit 3 Project Ideas 1. Write 300 to 500 words on one of the following topics: § If you were present in 1776, how do you think you would feel about the American colonies declaring independence from Great Britain? § What do you think are the strengths of the United States Constitution and our system of government? 2. Use calligraphy or other elaborate lettering to write out the Preamble to the United States Constitution on a large piece of poster board. Embellish with other art forms if you wish (see page 86). 3. Create a bust sculpture of one of the Founding Fathers out of clay. You can find images of some of these men in this unit.

PART 1 PROJECT You can choose any one of these ideas or create your own project based on Units 1 through 3. Here are some of the things you could choose to create. § 300 -500 Word Essay (see previous slides for subjects. ) § Editorial Newspaper Article about issues facing America currently. Apply the governmental principles you are learning to the analysis. § Power Point Slide Show § Creative Project Discuss with your parents what project you should do, and how it will be graded. You will receive participation points when you turn it in on VHSG. Your parent should grade your project for more precise grades.

WHAT IS GOVERNMENT? A government is the system of laws and institutions that guide how people behave within a state. The government has ultimate authority to create and enforce the laws. The sovereign leader of the nation or state is the government. The government can consist of a single person or group of people.

TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

THEOCRACY Theocracy: noun, plural theocracies. § 1. a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities. § 2. a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.

FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. Romans 13: 3 -4 According to this scripture, the purpose of government is to protect and encourage good, and to punish and prevent evil.

FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT Government controls different sectors of society to varying degrees. • • • Business Religion Personal Behavior Foreign Relations Taxes Personal Freedom Vs. Governmental Control

§ How much should government be involved in the legislation of: moral issues, religion, business? § Is there ever a time when government oversteps its limits? § What should citizens do when we disagree with the standing government?