Daily classroom and homework activities.
All assignments completed for a grade should be uploaded to the course folder on Google Drive.
All assignments completed for a grade should be uploaded to the course folder on Google Drive.
STUDENT BLOG ASSIGNMENTS - First 9 Weeks
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Assignment 1. For this assignment, add the Class Blog widget to your page. You must also make a blog post in which you introduce yourself to the class. Visit several blogs of your classmates to become familiar with using our Edublogs.org site.
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Assignment 2: Respond to the following question on your blog: Which of the four philosophers we discussed and debated do you most agree with? Be sure and support your answer. After your own post,read and reply to at least two classmates' responses.
Assignment 3: Add a post in which you summarize the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Conclude your post by sharing which position you most agree with.
Assignment 4: Using the Powers of Government chart, Explain the concept of concurrent powers, citing examples. Do you believe any of these should be reserved to the states or held by the federal government rather than shared? How might that improve government? Visit the blogs of at least 2 of your classmates and 2 students in either of the other blocks of this course(1,2 and 5) and comment constructively to their post. Do you agree or disagree with their position?
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Assignment 5: Find an article on your own related to Federalism. Summarize the article, explain its relevance to Federalism and the significance of the topic or issue you have chosen. Please follow the guidelines of the attached file.
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STUDENT BLOG ASSIGNMENTS - SECOND 9 WEEKS
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Assignment 6: Read the instructions in the word doc to the left. Argue the effectiveness of the Electoral College system.
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Assignment 7: Voting styles. The word doc to the left contains the instructions for this assignment and the related documents.
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Assignment 8: Visit this website. Consider the arguments presented both for and against presidential term limits. What is your opinion? Write a blog post now to begin class in which you summarize the arguments of the two pundits and state your own beliefs related to the 22nd amendment which limits a President to a maximum of two elected terms and ten years in office. We will hold a class discussion after students have had an opportunity to form your own opinion.
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Complete this Blog assignment related to the impact of the Watergate Scandal on public perception of not only the executive branch but of the federal government as a whole.
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Blog Assignments: ThiRD NINE WEEKS
Assignment 10: As we discussed in class, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away over the weekend. His death has created a firestorm of debate between Republicans and Democrats as to the selection process of his successor. As we learned, the Constitution dictates that the President appoints Supreme Court Justices with confirmation of the Senate. This process has been made much more political in this instance by the looming Presidential election.
In your opinion, should the President nominate a successor or leave this powerful decision to the next President? Should the Senate expedite a confirmation hearing of a nominee or slow the process? What problems may arise with the potential of a tie vote in the Supreme Court if this process proves to be lengthy? Write a blog post in which you consider these important questions.
In your opinion, should the President nominate a successor or leave this powerful decision to the next President? Should the Senate expedite a confirmation hearing of a nominee or slow the process? What problems may arise with the potential of a tie vote in the Supreme Court if this process proves to be lengthy? Write a blog post in which you consider these important questions.
Assignment 11: The Equal Rights Amendment has seemingly been argued in Congress approximately every 50 years since the Seneca Falls Convention. In 1972 it made it out of the Congress for the fell three states short of ratification. Not only would the historical cycle suggest that the ERA may be taken up by Congress within the next decade, but Hillary Clinton may be on the cusp of becoming the first woman elected President of the United States. Do you believe an Equal Rights Amendment should become the 28th amendment to the United States Constitution? Be sure to support your argument.
Assignment 12: America today is easily more diverse than anytime in the nation's history. Write a blog post in which you consider your own personal experiences, your study of the struggle for Civil Rights and the current issues facing the nation to respond to this question:
How would you assess the state of race and ethnic relations in America today?
How would you assess the state of race and ethnic relations in America today?
BLOG ASSIGNMENTS: FOURTH NINE WEEKS (DUE BEFORE 6/1)
Assignment 13: Many point to the Berlin Wall as the most iconic symbol of the Cold War. As such, it's dismantling signals the end of the Cold War. In a blog post demonstrate your understanding of this argument. Do you agree or disagree? What do you believe to be the most significant event or theme during the Cold War? How did that theme or event help shape the world we live in today?
Assignment 14: Comparative politics is a discipline of political science that provides a better understanding of two nation's governments by examining both. This is a great way to better understand the similarities and differences between two countries which can ultimately help in appreciating the cultural differences as well. In this blog post, share what you found most interesting when comparing the United States to the subject nation of your group's project. Did this project improve your knowledge and understanding of that country?
Assignment 15: Citizenship is something many s can easily take for granted. It has not come as easily for others. Many have struggled to either obtain it or defend it for others. What does citizenship mean to you? Do you feel a burden of responsibility to be an active and contributing citizen of the United States? What are these responsibilities?
Unit: Introduction to the course
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Learning Survey: How do you best learn?
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Unit: GOV.2 Philosophies
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Read the article and respond to the 3 questions. Complete and submit for a grade.
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Students will collaborate to debate the topics listed from the perspective of their assigned philosopher.
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Group Essay Project. Individual essays due by midnight on Wednesday, September 23.
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Virginia Declaration of Rights by George Mason
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Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom by Thomas Jefferson
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Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
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Bill of Rights by James Madison
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Rubric for grading essays in this course.
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Unit: GOV.4: The COnstitution
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Work in pairs to complete the assignment. Each student should submit a document.
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Watch this video to gain an understanding of the key arguments between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists as they debated the ratification of the Constitution. The video contains a mix of note slides and embedded video so please use ear buds when you view this in class. Pause the video as needed to take good notes. We will review the concepts when i return to the classroom.
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Complete an analysis of both Federalist 10 and Federalist 51. Submit the assignment before your class meets on 10/1 for Blocks 1 and 5, before 10/2 for block 2.
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Work in a group to construct a new government. Refer to the assignment for guidelines.
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Unit: GOV.5: Federalism
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Use this chart to fill out the Venn diagram you received in class.
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Read the article about the Department of Justice's stance on Colorado's unique law and how it impacts Federalism. Respond to the questions and upload the assignment.
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Read this article on the practicality of Federalism today. Respond to the questions and submit the assignment.
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Complete the attached chart by completing all fields. Submit your assignment when you are done.
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UNIT: GOV.6 Elections
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Complete this WebQuest to become familiar with various Political Parties. Be sure and complete all three parts. Submit your responses to Part 1 and Part 2 on the form provided at the bottom of this document. Submit your completed presentation required by Part 3 separately.
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A simulation of the Presidential Primaries in which the candidates for the Presidential election are determined.
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The Race to the White House is on!
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Work in pairs or groups of three to create a third party. Follow the instructions in the word document.
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Unit: GOV.7 Federal Government
I. Congress
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Read the editorial about problems faced by Congress. Respond to the questions and submit to your Googld Folder. This is due by the end of your block.
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Use the PowerPoint "How Does Congress Function" to respond to the questions. Complete and submit to your Google Folder. This is due by the end of your block.
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Complete the WebQuest on Congressional Committees. Submit your completed assignment to your Google Folder. Due by the end of the day on Friday, 12/4.
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A rather addictive little gerrymandering simulation game. Try the first two missions on basic, then give advanced a shot. If you enjoy the game, try the harder levels.
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Students will serve as members of the House of Representatives.
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II. Executive
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Analyze Hamilton's Federalist 72 dealing with presidential term limits.
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Read this article on the President's recent announcement of Executive Orders pertaining to gun control. Has the President overstepped his constitutional bounds as the Congress maintains?
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Please take a few moments and complete this mid-year course evaluation...follow this link.
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A pair of Federalist and Anti-Federalist essays. Analyze them and submit your assignment.
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Unit: GOV.9 Public Policy & OPINION
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Complete this reading and respond to the questions which follow it. Submit your completed assignment.
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Complete this assignment using your notes and the PowerPoint on the Bureaucracy. Submit your completed assignment.
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Visit the websites of various Interest Groups to better understand their role in the political system. Complete the assignment and submit to your Google folder.
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Work in groups of 3 to form your own Special Interest Group. Follow the guidelines of the assignment to prepare a class presentation. Presentations will be Tuesday 2/16 and Wednesday 2/17.
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Unit: GOV.11 Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
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Improve your understanding of the Bill of Rights by examining these scenarios. Upload your completed assignment to your Google Folder.
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Complete this assignment using the PowerPoint for Civil Liberties and your notes.
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Create a word doc to complete this assignment. Submit to your Google Folder.
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Try today's Warm-up. Would you be able to vote in the state of Mississippi in 1965?
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Work with a partner (only two of you) to complete this project. Follow the instructions closely.
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UNIT: GOV.12 PolicY Making
Fiscal Policy
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Read a pair of articles on the topic of raising the federal minimum wage. Respond to the questions for each and consider your own opinion on one of the important issues of this Presidential election cycle.
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Work in pairs to address these economic issues using Monetary Policies. One completed assignment should be uploaded for each group. Be sure and label the members of the group before you upload.
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Examine Fiscal Policy by trying to balance the Federal budget. Increase or decrease spending to expand or reduce programs or initiatives you feel are most important. Be mindful of the budget deficit. Tips related to each possible action are offered. Once completed, print your summary page to a PDF and upload to your google drive. Do you think you will reduce or increase total spending? Let's see...
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Foreign Policy
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Use the textbooks in the back of the room to complete this activity. Upload your completed file.
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Choose one of these four issues which creates Foreign Policy challenges for our Government. Research your chosen topic using the resources provided or any resources you might find on your own. Write a one page essay in which you address the questions presented. Upload your essay to your Google Folder.
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Read this article about what the role of the United States has been and how it is proposed to be changed by the author. What do you think our role should be?
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Complete using your notes from class and upload to your Google Folder.
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Read the two included articles and respond to the questions that follow prior to the class discussing this issue.
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Read these two articles about the War on Terrorism and answer the three questions that follow. Submit your assignment. We will discuss them together.
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UNIT: GOVT.13 COMPARATIVE POLITICS
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Work as a group of 4 to complete this assignment. Compare the structure of your chosen country's government to the United States.
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Please complete this survey about the course.
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Read this editorial on the expected impact of women voters on this election cycle. Respond to the questions that follow. Submit your assignment.
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UNIT: GOVT.19 U.S. Citizenship
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This article was the introduction to a long running editorial series. Read through it and complete the questions to start us talking about what it means to be a citizen. Submit your completed assignment.
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