The Presidency and the Executive Branch

Today we will travel down the path in examining the Executive Branch of the United States government. Along our way we will be intoduced to offices within the branch (President, Vice President, Cabinet member) and individuals who have held these seats in office. During this journey, we will observe the process and qualifications it takes to become President of the United States, analayze presdiential responsibilities and decsions, identify the powers the Presidnt is given through the U.S. Constitution as the head of the Executive Branch, and view the President's interactions with the memebers/agencies of the Executive Branch. I will serve as your guide as we open the White House doors to begin our tour of the Executive Branch.

As we begin our journey, you will be asked to identify roles and responsibilities of the President under the Executive Branch. After you complete this journey, you will be able to explain how the President is elected, what qualifications one needs to become President, identify the powers granted to the Presdient within the United States Constitution, Presidential responsibilities and decision making, and become familiar with some other offices of the Executive Branch. Good Luck in your pusuit of knowledge and power on one the most powerful titles to hold in our world today, the President of the United States.

 

As we begin to learn about the office of the Presient of the United States, you will use the internet resources listed below as tools in answering sections of questions that will provide you the knowledge of expericne of qualifications to be, roles and resposnsibilities, decision making, and interaction within the Executive Branch. Good Luck.

 

Section 1: Presidential Qualifications and Powers

1. Name the three qualifications a citizen must have to become president?

2. After the President--list the next two offices in the line of presidential succession?

3. How many years is a presidential term in office?

4. The President may be removed from office through the impeachment process for what three offenses?

     a.

     b.

     c.

* Please use the links below as resources as you research thses questions.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Section 2 Roles and Responsibilities

1. Sign a Bill into Law. Please the link provided to watch President Obama signing a bill into law (link below).

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2013/08/09/president-obama-signs-bipartisan-student-loan-certainty-act-2013

2. Commander In Chief.

a. With the Constitution assigning the President as Commander In Chief, breifly descrieb an issue of contraversy on the President's power over the use of military forces?

b. Over three preseidential adminsitrations, troops were committed to the Vietnam War without Congressional approval. Congress responded in an attempt to broaden its part and influence in the President's "war making" ability by approving?

* Please use the links below as resources as you research thses questions. http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/commander_in_chief_powers

 

Section 3: The Vice Presidency

Name the number of Vice Presidents that went on to become President of the United States?

Please finish the statement provided, "The U.S. Constitution established the office of vice president primarily to provide a successor in the event of..."

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Vice_President.htm#1

Section 4: The Cabinet

The President of the United States has a cabinet as a part of the Executive Branch. The cabinet includes the Vice President and heads of 15 executive departments. Please use the link below to identify five cabinet members under the current Obama administration, the department they are the head of, and one factiod or current event involving this cabinet member by visiting their assigned link.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

(When opening the Webpage, find "the Administraition" tab scroll down and select the Cabinet. When finding a factiod or current event you will have to select the link for department you are intersted in viewing.)

 

 WebQuest Rubric

Poor(1-2)                          Average (3-4)                              Good              (5-6)              Excellent              (7-8)            Score Knowledge of Presidential Powers and Roles                          Showed little or no effort or lack participation in work.                    Showed basic understanding of facts. Showed some effort in work.                    Showed effort in work and gave above average effort in class.                    Participated in classwork and went above and beyond to finish quest.                    1-8 Participated in class discussion                                    Refused to participate in class discussion.                    Participated slightly in class discussions.                    Participated in class discussions more than half the time.                    Went above and beyond in the class discussions and gave thoughtful insights.                                1-8                   Understanding of the roles of President and Executive Branch                          Lacked basic understanding.                    Has basic understanding, but was not able to communicate effectively.                    Able to understand and communicate effectively the subject matter                    Highly knowledgable of both the President's roles and Executive Branch and Could distinguish the similarities and differences.                      1-8                    Participation in Web Quest                                  Little effort given towards the completion of the quest.                    Some effort, but did not show much interest.                    Participated and was very knowledgeable of topic and was respectful and helped during tasks.                    Was a major contributor and shows much knowledge. Could be used as guide for others.                      1-8                   TotalScore:

Congratulations and job well done! You have completed the tour of the Executive Branch. By now you should be familiar with what it requires to become president, and the various roles and responsibilities that come along with holding the office. In addition to the President of the United States, you should now be aware of the Vice Presidency and other members in the Executive Branch. Now take your enormous Executive Branch knowledge and share it with others as the opportunities arise.