constitutional principle and Society by Students will be required to learn about the of federalism. David McKay relationship between the federal government and (2017: 9th Edition) the states in recent years. Chapter 4: Students should learn Students will be required to understand the Why ‘Federalism: about the amendment methods available to amend the US constitution. the States Still process. They should This will require an understanding both formal Matter’ in American examine the methods available to amend the constitution, Politics and Society advantages and involving Congress and the states as well as the by David McKay disadvantages of the option involving a constitutional convention. (2017: 9th Edition) process. However, it should also be stressed that the constitution can be amended informally through Politics Review judicial review. In particular, students should Volume 25, consider whether it is too difficult to amend the US Number 4, April constitution. 2016: Is the US federal government too powerful? Ross Maggs and Simon Lemieux 3 The constitutional framework Students should Students should on a number of key debates Chapter 1: ‘The of US government (): evaluate the overall and criticisms of the US constitution. Students Constitution’ in A2 debates concerning the strengths and should consider if the constitutional principles of US Government importance of the US weaknesses of the US separation of powers and checks and balances are and Politics by Constitution to the working constitution. an obstacle to effective government. Students Anthony J Bennett of contemporary US should also consider if the modern constitution has Students should debate Chapter 3: government been transformed beyond recognition from the if the US constitution ‘Constitutional protection of civil liberties vision of the Founding Fathers. In particular, remains fit for purpose government’ in and rights under the students should consider if this is positive or in the 21st century. American Politics Constitution, Bill of Rights negative development. and Society by and Supreme Court Students should Students should understand that as well as the Bill David McKay rulings. examine the Bill of of Rights, other rights exist in subsequent (2017: 9th Edition)
constitutional principle of federalism. Students should learn about the amendment process. They should examine the advantages and disadvantages of the process. Students will be required to learn about the relationship between the federal government and the states in recent years. Students will be required to understand the methods available to amend the US constitution. This will require an understanding both formal methods available to amend the constitution, involving Congress and the states as well as the option involving a constitutional convention. However, it should also be stressed that the constitution can be amended informally through judicial review. In particular, students should consider whether it is too difficult to amend the US constitution. and Society by David McKay (2017: 9th Edition) Chapter 4: ‘Federalism: Why the States Still Matter’ in American Politics and Society by David McKay (2017: 9th Edition) Politics Review Volume 25, Number 4, April 2016: Is the US federal government too powerful? Ross Maggs and Simon Lemieux 3 The constitutional framework of US government (): debates concerning the importance of the US Constitution to the working of contemporary US government protection of civil liberties and rights under the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Supreme Court rulings. Students should evaluate the overall strengths and weaknesses of the US constitution. Students should debate if the US constitution remains fit for purpose in the 21st century. Students should examine the Bill of Students should on a number of key debates and criticisms of the US constitution. Students should consider if the constitutional principles of separation of powers and checks and balances are an obstacle to effective government. Students should also consider if the modern constitution has been transformed beyond recognition from the vision of the Founding Fathers. In particular, students should consider if this is positive or negative development. Students should understand that as well as the Bill of Rights, other rights exist in subsequent Chapter 1: ‘The Constitution’ in A2 US Government and Politics by Anthony J Bennett Chapter 3: ‘Constitutional government’ in American Politics and Society by David McKay (2017: 9th Edition)
AQA-71522-SOW-GPUS.DOCX