Last Blog of the Semester :)

Answer the following questions. You do not have to respond to another unless you want to.
1. What did you enjoy most about the class?
2. What did you enjoy most about the blog?
3. What could have been done differently to help you learn better?
4. What advice do you have about this class for students that will take it next fall?
5. Do you feel like you are prepared to take a college course in this class? (it is ok if you say no :) )

Are politics in our genes?

Read the article from the BBC, do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

Due Friday December 7, 2012 at 11:59:59pm

Extra Credit

There are a series of articles linked below.  You get extra credit for EACH ONE, you analyze/argue.

Drones in the United States?

Texas Secession?

How the US can once again define the future

Who is Grover Norquist and what does he have to do with the "fiscal cliff?"

Benghazi and Susan Rice

Fiscal Cliff?

Read the article. What is the "fiscal cliff?" What is being done about it? Find another article that relates to the fiscal cliff. No repeats!

Due Friday November 30, 2012 by 11:59:59pm

Election Aftermath

Read the article from Politico. Why do you think the Republicans used skewed polling data? What other issues occured with this election? Why do YOU think the election ended the way it did? Find another article that analyzes post election results. (NO DUPLICATES FROM OTHER STUDENTS!)

Due Friday November 16, 2012 by 11:59:59pm

Swing Vote- 6th period

Swing Vote- 1st Period

Answer the following questions.

1. How does Greenleaf's campaign manager deflect from Greenleaf's negatives to the Presidents?

2. What do you think of Molly's speech?

3. Why is there an issue with Bud's "vote" and why do you think people are not supposed to know he is the "irregular vote"

More questions will be added as the movie continues

AP Government: No blog this week

There is no blog this week. Enjoy a week off, we will be back here next week discussing the aftermath of Election 2012

Election Predictions and a little Humor

Based on YOUR research of articles& polls, make your predictions about the election.

Who will win the electoral college vote?
Who will win the popular vote?
Will one side or the other blame voter fraud when they don't win?

And now...a little humor from both sides:

Joss Whedon "endorses" Romney

SNL spoofs debates

"Obama" speaks to Ohio voters

You only have to make your own comment as far as predictions. Bonus points will be given for finding additional humor from either side (**Must be school appropriate!) include a link :)

Due Friday November 2, 2012 at 11:59:59pm.

Campaign Game 6th Period

http://broadband.ciconline.org/elections/Default.aspx

Happy Electioneering!!!

Use what you know about elections, the electoral college, etc. to run for President. (If you have time, play twice) 

1. Play one player

2. Choose your party/platform.

3. its up to you if you want to include a 3rd party candidate.

 

So...running for office is not as easy at it looks is it?

Now that you have run, answer the following questions:

1. Did you win or lose?
2. What did you do that you think made the biggest difference in your candidacy?
3. What effect does knowing how the electors (i.e. do you spend the most money in the most populated states?)
4. What effect do interest groups/special interests have in the election process?
5. Would you like to run for office? Why or Why not?

Remember to use school appropriate language and NO TEXT SPEAK!!!!

Campaign Game! 5th Period

http://broadband.ciconline.org/elections/Default.aspx

Happy Electioneering!!!

Use what you know about elections, the electoral college, etc. to run for President. (If you have time, play twice) 

1. Play one player

2. Choose your party/platform.

3. its up to you if you want to include a 3rd party candidate.

 

So...running for office is not as easy at it looks is it?

Now that you have run, answer the following questions:

1. Did you win or lose?
2. What did you do that you think made the biggest difference in your candidacy?
3. What effect does knowing how the electors (i.e. do you spend the most money in the most populated states?)
4. What effect do interest groups/special interests have in the election process?
5. Would you like to run for office? Why or Why not?

Remember to use school appropriate language and NO TEXT SPEAK!!!!

Freedom of Speech Part 2

This is just a side note, and very disappointing in the conversation about civil discourse. Comments are not required.

Pundit uses R word to describe Obama

The Last Presidential Debate

These are some of the reactions from the last presidential debate.

FoxNews
Huffington Post
NY Times
Politico
BBC News
Al-Jazeera 

and finally

 http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

Compare and contrast the articles. What examples of bias are evident? Are there any articles that are less biased than others?

Argue your side and with a fellow classmate.

Bonus points if you can find another article that shows additional reaction.

Due by 10/26/2012 by 11:59 pm

Freedom of Speech or ????

In the past couple of weeks, a couple of CEO's have sent letters to employees about the election.

Read one here

and another here

Is this protected under freedom of speech or is there something else going on here? Is this permissible under law? Could this count as voter intimidation?

Argue your case and remember to reply to another.

Due Friday October 19, by 11:59:59pm

Vice Presidential Debate

John Nance Garner, former Vice President, once said "the vice-presidency is not worth a bucket of warm spit." But, in this election year, the Vice-Presidential candidates it is possible that the VP candidates will make a difference. Read the article, what role do you think the VP candidates will play in this election, and what will happen once one of them either becomes VP or continues as VP. Remember to respond and respond to another classmate.

Due by Friday October 12 at 11:59 pm.

Supreme Court Fall Term

Read the article. Which decision do you think will be the most important and why?

Remember to respond as well as respond to another.

Due Friday October 5, 2012 by 11:59:59pm

Update on Cheerleader Story

Just an FYI

http://www.chron.com/news/articleComments/AG-offers-to-help-defend-school-s-Bible-banners-3900153.php

UT affirmative action case

Read the article, http://www.thebatt.com/news/lawsuit-against-ut-could-reshape-affirmative-action-1.2865570#.UGCn0Gt5mSN

What do you think the Supreme Court will say when they try this case in a few weeks? Do you agree with the policy or should they stick with the 10% rule?

Discuss and comment on another students.

Due Friday September 28 by 11:59:59pm

AP Gov Extra Credit #2

Read the article about the cheerleaders in Kountze, Texas. Using what you know about the Santa Fe case and look up the Tinker v. Des Moines case, (if that isnt the case you are working on), do you agree or disagree with the JUDGE in this case? (If you are looking for some interesting commentary, read the comments at the bottom of the article!)

Due by Wednesday September 26th!

Current Case #1

Read the summary of Santa Fe v. Doe.

Do you agree or disagree with the decision? Why or why not?

Are there other cases that have challenged this ruling?

Remember to post your own response and respond to another.

Due by 11:59:59pm on Friday September 21st.

AP Gov Extra Credit #1

Go to the following blog:
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

In the last election, using a series of calculations and algorithms , Nate Silver was able to correctly predict 49 out of 50 Senate races, as well as almost exactly calling the electoral college vote for President Obama. Look through his site and the "fivethirtyeight forecast. What stands out to you about his analysis? What is expected to happen as far as the presidential race, Senate, and House races?

Due Friday September 21st. 

Federalist 10 and 51

Read Federalist 10

and

Federalist 51

Answer the following questions:
Questions on Madison's Federalist Number 10:

1. What are factions, according to Madison and where does he write of them?

2. What are the causes of faction, according to Madison?

3. What is the primary object of government, according to Madison?

4. Where do the rights of property originate, according to Madison?

5. What is the most common and durable source of faction, according to Madison?

6. How could we cure the "mischiefs of faction," according to Madison? Why are these remedies worse than the disease, according to Madison?

7. What is Madison's solution for controlling the effects of factions?

8. What is a republic, what is a pure democracy, and how do they differ?

9. How does a republic inhibit the effects of factions, according to Madison?

Questions on Madison's Federalist Number 51

10. What are the three branches of government?

11. Which branch did Madison think would be the weakest?

12. Which methods does Madison suggest to check the powers of government?

13. How is the separation of powers between the three branches assured?

14. Give two examples of the "checks and balances" in the U.S. constitutional system.

15. Which branch appears as an exception to the separation of powers norm? Why is this exception not dangerous?

16. What is federalism?

17. What are the two great advantages of federalism, according to Madison?

18. What is the "end" (supreme goal) of government, according to Madison?

You have until Sunday September 16 at 11:59pm.  Yoiu do NOT have to respond to another, just answer the questions yourself.

Roche Questions

1. What does Roche mean when he describes the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a democratic reform caucus?
2. What were some major political constraints operating during the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
3. What does Roche feel was the role of political theory at the Constitutional Convention?

Due Friday September 7th no later than 11:59:59pm

John Locke Questions

1. How does Locke describe the state of nature?
2. Why do people leave the state of nature and join a political society by establishing a government?
3. Under what conditions is it acceptable to dissolve a government?

Remember you must answer these and respond to a fellow classmate to get full credit!

Due Sunday September 2 by 11:59pm.