Module 3

DUE: Sidlow, Chapter 3 Federalism

 

I hope you’ve been finding clean air to breathe this past week… just when we thought pandemic life couldn’t get any more challenging. I live in an unusual and uninsulated metal house, which is normally OK because I also have outdoor space, but these days… go outside? Not that either. Oh well – it’s sweat or sore throat. Pick your poison, literally. 

 

1) Last week, we looked at the US Constitution, the masterful defining work of political structural writing that provides grounding for so many aspects of American political life. Continuing our exploration of the foundations of American government, this week we will look at the structure of “Federalism” in your chapter reading. Please read Chapter 3 of Sidlow, “Federalism,” and write a blog post summarizing 2 or 3 key insights you gained from that chapter.

 

2) In addition, we’ll read 3 short essays from a collection today called The Federalist Papers. These essays were written by some of the founding authors of the Constitution and therefore of American democracy. The Founders hoped to promote ratification of the Constitution, delving deeply into many aspects of its intent. The Federalist Papersgive us an excellent opportunity to learn about the original intent of the Founding Fathers as they wrote the Constitution. Please read Federalist #10 and Federalist #51. These are in Appendix F of your textbook, but you’ll also find them on this free online edition of The Federalist Papers. After reading #10 and #51, please choose one additional essay to read based on your own interests and curiosity. Then make a brief recording of yourself sharing your thoughts on one or all 3 of the essays… post the recording online in an open-access format (e.g. YouTube), then post a link to the recording to your blog site. 

 

The Federalist Papers, full text, can be found here:

 

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1404/1404-h/1404-h.htm

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and getting to know you a little better through your recorded posts!