Week Power Points Dr. Rabidoux

Page 1: Introduction

Federal Level
- Key Institutions: U.S. Capitol, The White House, U.S. Supreme Court
Branches of Government:
- Legislative: Makes Laws
  - Congress:
    - Senate
    - House of Representatives
- Executive: Enforces Laws
  - Key Figures: President, Vice President, Cabinet
- Judicial: Interprets Laws
  - Key Institution: Supreme Court

Cabinet Departments:
- Department of State
- Department of the Treasury
- Department of Defense
- Department of Justice
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Labor
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Department of Education
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Energy

FY 2024 Annual Budget:
- Total: $6.8 Trillion
- Actual Revenue: $4.92 Trillion
- Deficit: $2.6 Trillion
Long-Term Public Debt: $32 Trillion

Current events as context for government's role:
- David Blevins on social media discussing political events
- Biden's statements regarding Trump's polling and election dynamics

Process Overview:
- The President nominates candidates
- Requires Senate's 'Advise and Consent' for confirmation
- Simple majority vote needed in the Senate
- Nominees undergo scrutiny by the Senate Judiciary Committee

What does civic engagement look like in different types of governance?
- Democracy
- Oligarchy
- Communist State
- Dictatorship
Comparison of legitimate vs. illegitimate forms of engagement/participation

Key Functions:
- Ensure Safety
- Provide Security
- Educate Citizens
- Guarantee Outcomes

Impact of natural disasters on governance (e.g., LA wildfires)
- Factors contributing to the situation: budget management, mayoral leadership
- Issues of crime and resource mismanagement highlighted

Results of recent polling on immigration concerns under Biden Administration
- Significant border encounters reported, raising issues of national security

Teaching Structure:
1. In-Person Components (Lectures, Discussions)
2. Online Moodle Platform for Readings and Assignments
3. Submit Exams through Moodle
4. Strict Late Work Policy
5. Exam Format: Subject to change
6. Attendance Policy: Mandatory
7. Procedure for Excused Absences

Conceptual Framework:
- From Ideals and Ideology to Policy Making
- Difference between Aspirational Goals and Practical Implementations
- Discussion on personal interpretations of "blessings of liberty"

Governance Questions:
1. Are governance choices made by citizens or imposed?
2. What rights do citizens possess vs. government powers?
3. Mechanisms for citizens to change government
4. Guarantees against government overreach
5. Comparison of Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy
6. Discussion on the existence of "Pure Democracy"

Key Considerations:
- Payment Structures
- Access Issues
- Provision Models
- Distinction between Collective and Individualized Goods
- Comparison of Free vs. Toll Goods

Key Factors:
- Differences between Engagement and Participation
- The role of Partisanship and Ideology
- Importance of Knowledge in Civic Participation

Required Readings:
1. Complete Chapter 1 from American Government text (Open Stax Online)
2. Submit CRAW 1 by designated deadline
3. Late work policy reiterated
4. Instructor contact for questions