HS Government Reading and Writing Workshop

Reading and Writing Workshop: Congressional Powers

Objective:
Students will engage with public domain works related to the U.S. Constitution and its interpretation, specifically focusing on the powers delegated to Congress. Through reading, analysis, and writing, students will understand the historical context and implications of Congressional powers.

Week 1: Introduction to Congressional Powers1. Text: The U.S. Constitution (Primary Source)

• Focus: Article I – The Powers of Congress
• Activity:
  • Read the section of the U.S. Constitution that outlines the powers of Congress (Article I, Section 8).
  • Students will highlight key powers (taxing, borrowing, regulating commerce, etc.).
  • Class discussion: What powers are explicitly granted to Congress? Which powers seem open to interpretation?

Writing Activity:

• Prompt: Write a brief essay (2-3 paragraphs) explaining why the Framers gave Congress such specific powers. How do these powers reflect the needs and structure of the early U.S. government?
• Assessment: Focus on clarity of explanation and historical understanding.

Week 2: Deep Dive into the Commerce and Taxing Powers2. Text: Federalist No. 42 by James Madison (Public Domain)

• Focus: Commerce and Taxation
• Activity:
  • Read Federalist No. 42, where Madison explains the necessity of granting Congress the power to regulate commerce and levy taxes.
  • Group discussion: Why did Madison argue for a strong federal government with the ability to regulate commerce? What challenges did he foresee without this power?

Writing Activity:

• Prompt: Write a letter from the perspective of James Madison to the American public, defending the necessity of the commerce and taxing powers. Include references to specific arguments made in Federalist No. 42.
• Assessment: Evaluate the effectiveness of using persuasive techniques and supporting claims with evidence from the text.

Week 3: The Implied Powers and Supreme Court Cases3. Text: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) – Excerpt (Public Domain)

• Focus: Implied Powers and the Necessary and Proper Clause
• Activity:
  • Read an excerpt from the decision in McCulloch v. Maryland, which solidified the idea of implied powers and the interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause.
  • Class discussion: How did Chief Justice Marshall justify the creation of a national bank under the "implied powers" of Congress? What role did the "Necessary and Proper Clause" play?

Writing Activity:

• Prompt: Write a persuasive essay arguing whether or not the Supreme Court’s decision in McCulloch v. Maryland correctly interpreted the scope of Congressional powers. Include references to both the text of the Constitution and the Court’s reasoning.
• Assessment: Focus on argument structure, use of evidence from the text, and clarity of analysis.

Week 4: Bankruptcy, Borrowing Powers, and Currency Issuance4. Text: The Constitution (Public Domain) and the Coinage Act of 1792 (Public Domain)

• Focus: Bankruptcy, Borrowing, and Currency Powers
• Activity:
  • Read the sections of the Constitution related to Congress’s borrowing, bankruptcy, and currency powers.
  • Students will also read the Coinage Act of 1792 to understand how Congress first exercised its power to issue currency.
  • Group discussion: Why did the Framers believe it was essential for Congress to control the nation’s currency and handle bankruptcy cases?

Writing Activity:

• Prompt: Write a research-based report on how the Coinage Act of 1792 was a crucial step in the development of the U.S. economy. How did this law shape the future of American financial policy?
• Assessment: Assess use of historical facts, analysis of economic implications, and clarity of writing.

Week 5: Connecting the Powers to Modern Congress5. Text: Excerpt from "The Federalist Papers" – Federalist No. 45 (Public Domain)

• Focus: Modern Reflection on Congressional Powers
• Activity:
  • Read an excerpt from Federalist No. 45, where Madison discusses the importance of a strong federal government.
  • Class discussion: How do the powers granted to Congress in the Constitution still influence contemporary political issues (e.g., taxation, commerce, national debt)?

Writing Activity:

• Prompt: Write a comparative essay discussing how the powers of Congress outlined in the Constitution are still relevant today. Use modern examples (e.g., debates over national healthcare, trade policy) to illustrate your points.
• Assessment: Evaluate the ability to draw connections between historical and modern-day applications of Congressional powers.

Week 6: Final Assessment - Argumentative Essay on Congressional PowersFinal Writing Assignment:

• Prompt: Write an argumentative essay on whether the powers granted to Congress in the Constitution should be interpreted broadly (as in McCulloch v. Maryland) or strictly according to the text. Use historical examples, Supreme Court cases, and insights from the reading material to support your argument.
• Assessment: Evaluate the strength of the argument, use of evidence, and clarity of writing.

Additional Activities:

• Debate: Have students engage in a structured debate on a modern issue (e.g., Congress's role in regulating the internet or healthcare) using historical knowledge of Congressional powers as their basis.
• Public Domain Resource: Provide access to a collection of primary sources from the public domain (e.g., excerpts from The Federalist Papers, Supreme Court decisions) for students to explore further on their own.

This workshop encourages students to critically engage with historical texts, analyze their meanings, and connect them to modern governance through writing and discussion. The integration of public domain works ensures that students are interacting with foundational texts while developing their historical and analytical skills.