This activity is part of Module 6: Separation of Powers and Federalism from the Constitution 101 Curriculum.
Separation of powers refers to the Constitution’s system of distributing political power between three branches of government: a legislative branch (Congress), an executive branch (led by a single president), and a judicial branch (headed by a single Supreme Court). In this activity, you will explore each branch in more detail.
In this activity, you will explore the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
Work with your group to build a dossier on one of the three branches of government.
Review the background summary of each branch, which includes key texts from Articles I, II, and III and some key information. Consider the powers and limits of your assigned branch and answer the following questions:
- What is your assigned branch? Where can you find its roles and responsibilities in the Constitution?
- What is the branch’s job? What powers does it have?
- How is the branch limited by another branch?
- How does it check, or work with, another branch?
- Who are some of the leaders of your branch?
- What are their roles within your assigned branch?
