Spring 2025
GOVT 2305
President Trump - as promised - started his second term with a series of executive actions. Most of these proposals are supported by Congress. This is no surprise since his party controls each chamber and he has ensured they are loyal to him. However, he does not control the courts. Many of his actions have been checked in the courts with lawsuits.
Other methods have also been used to push back on other actions.
I want you to do some research and see which of his actions are likely to suceed, some will not. Explain your reasoning.
Remember that the system of checks and balances is intended to allow the actions of each branch to be checked by the others. This is less about Trump specifically than the office of the presidency generally.
You can find his activities in a variety of places. Here's one:
- All of the Trump Administration’s Major Moves.
GOVT 2306
The Texas Constitution allows the governor to declare certain laws "emergencies" which simply means that they can be considered first. This power is established in Article 3, Section 5.
Governor Abbott did so in his recent state of the state address.
Read it here: State of the State Address.
Do a little research and see which ones are likely to pass and which are not.
Explain.
- It is due for full credit on midnight the following Monday.
- It will be subject to a penalty if turned in late.
- Is can be turned in for partial credit until the end of the semester.
- The grade is commensurate to the quality of the work.
- There is a 150 word minimum requirement.
- You may write as much as you wish.
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Past Assignments: Fall 2024:
For both GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306
What is the Difference Between a Democracy and a Broligarchy?
For GOVT 2305: Which best describes the United States?
For GOVT 2306: Which best describes Texas?
We tend to describe ourselves as democracy, meaning that the people rule. But is this really true?
Is our governmental system really based on decisions made by the electorate, or are they really made by a smaller group of well connected individuals?
In the opening readings you were introduced to three types of government based on the number of people in charge, these were autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy. Oligarchies - rule of the few - can some in many forms: Aristocracy, Meritocracy, Technocracy, Theocracy, Plutocracy, etc . . .
The term "broligarchy" derives from the term "tech-bro" which refers to the people who have made tons of money with companies like Facebook, Amazon, and the like. These people are becoming more active politically, and don't necessarily like to share power.
So what does this mean for the nature of our governing system?
Do some research and see what you can find.
Requirements:
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These are past assignments:
Summer 2024:
The Supreme Court has just issued a decision in a case involving laws against outdoor camping in a city on Oregon.
I want you to read through the decision and explain how it exemplifies the relationship between the different levels of government. The language might be tough, but see what you can come up with.
For more on the case, click below:
ScotusBlog: City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson.
Oyez: City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson.
All requirements apply
:)
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Spring 2024:
In the first assignment, I wanted you to tell me what you want to be when - and if :) - you grow up.
Now I'd like you to apply that to what you have learned so far about the political organizations to the issues surrounding your chosen occupation.
What interest groups and other organizations represent it? Are there electoral issues that impact it? How is it treated by the media? If its treated at all?
As you know:
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Part assignment:
- What is a megadonor?
- Who are they?
- How much impact do they have on politics?
- Do they undermine democracy?
For 2305, answer this in terms of national politics.
For 2306, answer this in terms of Texas politics.
- This entry may or not help give you a head start.
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As you know:
- It is due for full credit on midnight the following Monday.
- It will be subject to a penalty if turned in late.
- Is can be turned in for partial credit until the end of the semester.
- The grade is commensurate to the quality of the work.
- There is a 150 word minimum requirement.
- You may write as much as you wish.
