You are going to be watching two 50 min. videos length, and writing a reflection that analyzes presidential action of Bush and Obama in order to assess the development of executive authority, and analyze constitutionality. I have provided you with multiple objective topics to select from, to write your response.
The purpose of this assignment is two fold. First, it provides you with resources that can be used for future independent research outside of the reading and writing methods--especially useful for those of you audio and visual learners. Second, it gives you an inside look into two Presidential administration that have been surrounded by biased and partisan media criticism and praise. Now that you have a better understanding of executive authority it is time for you to apply what you have learned, as evidence, to analyze presidential power in relation to modern political debates of "constitutionality of action" from you own personal perspective.
Submission and Completion Instructions:
Enter your responses in the text box provided. You cannot edit once you have clicked submit. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words. Completion requires complete sentences and proper grammar, and thoroughness of answers, according to the context of the topic and objective outlined below.
Video Access Directions:
The videos you are watching are provided by Frontline PBS, and include Cheney's Law and Obama's Deal. I have provided you the links, below. Copy and paste the links into a new tab in your browser so that you can view both of the movies. Make sure to thoroughly read the objective before watching the videos so that you know how to apply the content you will be watching to the purpose of this assignment and lesson material.
Cheney's Law:
http://video.pbs.org/video/1082073775/
Obama's Deal:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/obamasdeal/
Response Objectives:
You may choose from one of the following objectives to write you response to.
1. Compare the strategies implemented by the Bush and Obama administration; and apply these as examples to explain presidential discretion and prerogative.
2. Explain the development of executive power, applying examples of executive behavior implemented, during the Obama and/or Bush observed from the movies, to assess the nature of conflict or conformity with the framer's intent and what they envisioned for this officeholder's power when writing the Constitution.
3. After watching the movie(s) apply what you learned to defend your interpretation of Article II in relation to types, limitation, or necessary conditions presidential power by assessing if informal powers, outside of the constitution, exist; or if what is enumerated is what the president has executive authority to do.