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Representative Processes in the USA: The Electoral College. Video: How is the US President elected? -5 mins Video Worksheet: How is the President Elected?- 10 mins Website Research and Worksheet – 30 mins
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Representative Processes in the USA: The Electoral College • Video: How is the US President elected? -5 mins • Video Worksheet: How is the President Elected?- 10 mins • Website Research and Worksheet – 30 mins • Design Revision Flash Cards for the essay: The US Presidency and the Electoral College (strengths and weaknesses) -20 mins • The Florida Case: Electoral Fraud and Party Politics • Media Diary Update for Electoral College • The Exam Paper • Essay Planning • Timed Essay • Homework
How is the US President Elected? Video and Worksheet -15 mins • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_VQ8I7g6I • Complete the worksheet with questions
The Electoral College: Internet Research Activity with Worksheet • Access: • Guide to the American Presidency • Read the sections on: • Arguments for and against the electoral college, tables of results, electoral votes by state. Answer the worksheet/questions:
The Electoral College/Questions: • Why was the system adapted? • Outline 4 reasons Historians give for the introduction of the electoral college • How did Alexander Hamilton describe the system? • How did the modern system develop by 1836? • Which two states have deviated from this system? (more proportional) • What kind of system does the ‘winner take all’ electoral college system create? • What is the biggest criticism of the ‘winner takes all’ electoral college system? (name at least 2 presidents elected this way) • Give an example of how the electoral college exaggerates the popular vote? • How are third party candidates penalised (Ross Perot)? • What strength does the electoral college give presidents? • What could happen if the president was directly elected? • Name two other reasons opponents of the electoral college criticise the system? • What do they suggest its replaced with and why? • What is the National Popular Vote Bill and how is it an alternative?
Electoral Fraud?: The 2000 Presidential Election Video and handout • Florida Electoral Fraud • Read the handout ‘Greg Palast’
Media Diary Update Access: • The Guardian • The Independent • BBC News • USA Today • Reuters • Radio Four Online • Find articles about the presidential election results . • Decide if they illustrate a weakness in the electoral college system or strength • Update your media diary
Flash Card Revision • Create Revision Flash Cards for todays essay topic: • Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the Electoral College. (15 mins) • Make sure you ask questions and answers that test your knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral college (and any examples found in the media diary). • Test your self with your tutor!
Timed Essay Planning • Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the Electoral College -15 mins • Ensure you cover the points on the flashcards today • Make sure you follow the rule every point needs an example or defence • Try to come back with criticisms for each point made • Use media examples from today
The Exam Paper (F855) • You will get a choice of 8 questions, choose only 2. • Each question is worth 50 marks. So they are looking for approx 50 points (arguments and examples) per essay • Read through all the questions first. • Answer the question you feel you are strongest with first. Just a mark the numbers clearly in margin • Spend approx 10 minutes planning, spend 50 minutes writing the essay. Allow 5 minutes for editing at the end, reading back over. • Don’t be a victim of panic! If you get a memory blank, leave a sufficient space and an asterix in the margin ands go back to it. • Don’t cross out essay plans, they may be counted towards your final mark by the examiner • Make sure you allow 5 minutes extra at the end of each essay for editing at the end • Don’t revise the night before or on the morning of the exam. Relax, rest , breakfast. Early night before!
Homework: • Read the chapter ‘Elections and Voting’. • Answer the essay question • Outline and discuss the different factors that influence voting in Congressional Elections’ 20 mins, 20 marks • Read the chapter on Congressional Elections and on Propositions, referendums and recall elections and make a spider chart or flash cards with key points. • Update your media diary on Congressional elections and Referendums and propositions • Complete the two exam papers (F851, F855)