Project 1: The Intersection of Government and Economics

Overview
We have just completed a survey of American Government, and now will be venturing into a study of economics and the way the American economy works. The best way to see how these two subjects fit together is to start this course with an evaluation of the role of government in the economy. After doing some background work using the textbook, you and a group will research a specific way in which the government plays in a role in the economy. You will be responsible for creating a PowerPoint presentation as an aid to present the information you find to the class. The result will be a test over materials presented by the entire class.

Background (Individual Work)

1. Economic and Social Goals: Read pp. 41-43 in your textbook. Make a list of the seven economic/social goals along with a brief explanation of what each goal means.
    

2. The Role of Government: Read pp. 50-51 in your textbook and make a list of four roles that the government plays in the American economy. Create a graphic organizer to represent these roles. Briefly explain what each role means.
    

3. The Direct and Indirect Role of Government: Read pp. 78-79 in your textbook. Answer the following questions:

   1. When does a government play a direct role in the economy? When does it play an indirect role?

   2. Give and describe one example of government playing a direct role in the economy and one example of the government playing an indirect role in the economy.
       

4. Government and Free Enterprise: Read pp. 178-181 (skip “Internalizing Externalities”) and pp. 181 (start at “Public Disclosure”) to 183 and answer the following questions:

   Define trusts, price discrimination, cease and desist order, public disclosure.

   What did the following acts seek to do? Sherman Antitrust Act, Clayton Antitrust Act, and Federal Trade Commission Act

   Name an example of government regulation (p. 181).

   Name one (1) example of public disclosure.

   What are “truth in advertising” laws?

   What is one example of the government working to indirectly improve the quality of information available to consumers?

1. Conduct research on the following things:
    
   1. Description of what your program does
       
   2. History behind the program/legislation
       
   3. Review of at least one (1) current event related to your program/legislation
       
2. You should consult a minimum of three (3) websites during your research time. Here are some suggested starting points:
    
   1. http://news.yahoo.com (current event)
       
   2. http://www.wikipedia.org
       
3. After you have conducted your research, create a PowerPoint presentation to organize your findings that will you present to the class as a whole.
    
   1. Introduction Slide (Your topic, group members, picture)
       
   2. Description of what your program does (1-2 slides)
       
   3. History behind the program/legislation (min. 2 slides)
       
   4. Review of one (1) current event (min. 1 slide)

Pointers for PowerPoint

1. Use graphics/pictures where appropriate. They make your presentation more interesting.
2. Don’t cram too much information on a slide. And DO NOT cut and paste information into your presentation. SUMMARIZE and cite your source.
3. If you have time, tool around with custom animation.
4. Ask me if you do not know how to work something in the program.

Grading