Begin the lesson with a brief discussion of the general concept of power, asking students to consider what it means to have power and where it comes from. Then, introduce the topic of the US presidency and its inherent authority and touch upon its importance in the American political system. Specifically pose the question of how much power is *too much* power. Briefly preview the lesson objectives and outline the topics to be covered. Gauge prior knowledge of the branches of government and constitutional constraints.

Действия учителя: Facilitates discussion, introduces the topic, and outlines lesson objectives.

Действия учащихся: Students participate in discussion and share their initial thoughts on presidential power.

Длительность: 10 минут

Review Article II of the US Constitution, focusing on the enumerated powers of the President (e.g., Commander-in-Chief, veto power, treaty-making authority). Discuss the initial intent of the Founding Fathers regarding the executive branch and how they sought to balance power between the branches of government. Explain the concept of implied powers derived from the 'Necessary and Proper' Clause.

Действия учителя: Explains the constitutional basis of presidential power and guides student discussion.

Действия учащихся: Students take notes, ask clarifying questions, and participate in discussion.

Длительность: 20 минут

Trace the evolution of presidential power from George Washington to the present day, highlighting key moments where presidential authority expanded or contracted (e.g. Jackson's use of the veto, Lincoln's actions during the Civil War, the New Deal era, post-9/11 expansions of executive power). Discuss how factors like war, economic crises, and social movements have shaped the presidency.

Действия учителя: Presents historical examples and leads a discussion on the changing nature of presidential power.

Действия учащихся: Students analyze the historical context of presidential power and identify patterns of expansion and contraction.

Длительность: 20 минут

Explore the informal powers of the President, such as the 'bully pulpit', executive orders, signing statements, and the President’s role as party leader. Discuss how factors like public opinion, media coverage, and the President's political skill influence their ability to exert authority. Explain the role of the White House staff and the Executive Office of the President.

Действия учителя: Explains informal powers and factors influencing presidential authority.

Действия учащихся: Students brainstorm examples of informal presidential powers and discuss their effectiveness.

Длительность: 15 минут

Examine the checks and balances that limit presidential power, including Congressional oversight (impeachment, power of the purse, treaty ratification), judicial review (Supreme Court's ability to declare executive actions unconstitutional), and the role of the bureaucracy. Discuss specific cases where these checks and balances were successfully utilized.

Действия учителя: Leads a discussion on the system of checks and balances and its impact on presidential power.

Действия учащихся: Students identify examples of checks and balances in action and analyze their effectiveness.

Длительность: 20 минут

Divide students into small groups and assign each group a case study focusing on a significant presidential decision (e.g., Truman's decision to use the atomic bomb, Nixon's Watergate scandal, Bush's authorization of surveillance programs). Groups will analyze the decision, evaluate its constitutional justification, and discuss its impact.

Действия учителя: Facilitates group work and provides guidance on case study analysis.

Действия учащихся: Students collaboratively analyze case studies and prepare presentations.

Длительность: 25 минут

Each group presents their case study analysis to the class, followed by a whole-class discussion of the issues raised. Encourage students to challenge each other's viewpoints and to consider the complexities of the situations. Focus on dissecting the motivations behind the choices and the relevance to contemporary political issues.

Действия учителя: Moderates presentations and facilitates class discussion.

Действия учащихся: Students present findings, engage in debate, and provide constructive feedback.

Длительность: 20 минут

Organize a short debate on the question of whether presidential power has expanded too far in recent decades. Assign students to argue for or against the proposition, using evidence from the lesson and their own research. Encourage students to focus on reasoned arguments and avoid personal attacks. Focus on illustrating how and why the debate is still very relevant today.

Действия учителя: Moderates the debate and ensures respectful engagement.

Действия учащихся: Students actively participate in the debate, presenting arguments and rebuttals.

Длительность: 15 минут

Provide students with a list of relevant resources for further research, including books, articles, websites, and primary source documents. Examples include: The US Constitution, Federalist Papers, relevant Supreme Court opinions, articles from reputable news sources, and scholarly articles on presidential power.

Действия учителя: Provides a comprehensive list of resources for ongoing learning.

Действия учащихся: Students review the resource list and identify materials for future research.

Длительность: 5 минут