United States Government

March 31 begins our two week unit on the terrorist strikes on 9/11/2001.  We will be viewing the documentary 9/11 followed by the major motion picture United 93.  The culmination of the project will be a 2 page paper (typed in Times New Roman 12 pt double spaced) based on what SOMEONE ELSE remembers about that day.  The person you interview should be at least 25 years old.  Teachers, parents, grandparents, etc. are all good places to start.  Find someone who is 25 years or older today and interview them.  Ask them what that day was like.  Type up their story.  This assignment is worth 50 points and is due on Friday, April 11 by 3:00pm. 

Your job today is to break into your assigned groups.  Then read the scenerio given to your group.  Develop a 5 minute skit that shows the scenerio listed.  All group members must participate in the skit.  Skits will be performed starting after tomorrow after a 5 minute “get yourself ready” period.

Group 1—KB     CD     JacG     AP

Group 2—DC     JE     JK     TS

 Group 3—AC     TF     EM     AS

 Group 4—MD     JG     DM     VS     OV

Group 5—RD     TG     JP     JT

Issues Paper

You should be researching a topic of interest to you that is controversial in the United States today.  You will be provided with a list of ideas to start from.  You do not have to go with one of these ideas, but please have your topic approved by Mr Clydesdale if you stray from the list.  You should then prepare to analyze that issue and put your findings into paper form.  Below is an outline for the paper.  This paper is due on May 2, 2008.  Papers will be accepted prior to the due date, but papers WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL.  This is different from other assignments in the class that are accepted late.  Last day excuses such as “My jump drive will not work” or “My printer was out of ink” or “I was kidnapped by aliens who were in search of government research papers” or “I forgot” will not be accepted. 

 Follow this format exactly. 

I.          Title Page

                        a.         Name

                        b.         Course

                        c.         Issue Being Researched

                        d.         Due Date

II.          Paper (12 point, Times New Roman font, double spaced, minimum of 8 pages.)

 a.         Introduction to the issue (Can include more than one paragraph)

1.         Explain general background information about the topic

2.         State your stance and a brief explanation of why you chose this stance

3.         Briefly state why this issue is important in society today or what controversies surround this issue

                        b.         Body of Paper—One side of the issue (Several paragraphs)

1.         In each paragraph, pick ONE key aspect of your topic that you learned about while researching and explain it.

2.         Each paragraph should include at least one cited piece of research.

 c.         Body of Paper—Other side of the issue (Several paragraphs)

1.         In each paragraph, pick ONE key aspect of your topic that you learned about while researching and explain it.

2.         Each paragraph should include at least one cited piece of research.

                        d.         Body of Paper—Your Opinion (Several paragraphs)

1.         In each paragraph, you should be explaining why you chose the stance you did on your issue—in other words, here is where you defend your opinion

2.         This section does not necessarily need to be cited.  However, if an idea or quote is not YOUR idea or quote, it needs to be cited.

                        e.         Conclusion (One Strong Final Paragraph)                          

1.         Give an overall summary of your topic

                                    2.         Restate your belief on this topic

                                    3.         What does the future hold for your topic?

 III.         References

a.         All references should be cited using APA format (we will go over this in class)

b.         Resources should only be listed if you have cited them in your paper

c.         You must have a minimum of 7 sources.  These sources do not HAVE to come from the Internet.  The LP librarians will gladly assist you with other types of research.

 IV.        Binder                  

a.         Your will turn in your paper in a 3-ring binder. 

                        b.         Your binder should be arranged as follows

                                                            1.         Blank Rubric

                                                            2.         Title Page

                                                            3.         Abstract of Paper (We will go over this in class)

                                                            4.         Paper

                                                            5.         Reference Page

                                                            6.         Copies of your references

 This paper is worth 200 points overall.

 A very specific rubric will be distributed to you.  It will also be available online in your class’ webpage.  I will allow some spelling / grammar mistakes.  However, we live in an age of computers and computers have grammar and spell checks.  An abundance of errors will affect your grade.  Please proofread your papers and have someone else proofread your paper.

 Good luck!

Your job today is to make a factbook of 5 different countries.  You should then compare the countries and write a 1 page paper on which one of the 5 countries you would most like to live, which one you would most like to visit (can be the same one), which one you would least like to live in, and which one you would least like to visit.

You should start by putting each of the follwing in a Word Document. 

1. Country name
2. picture of flag
3. map of country
4. climate
5. natuaral resources
6. population
7. birth rate
8. death rate
9. life expectancy at birth
10. % HIV
11. religions
12. literacy %
13. government type
14. age to vote
15. unemployment rate
16. # of mobile telephones
17. # of TV stations
18. # of Internet users
19. Military service–volunteer or mandatory
20. % population below the poverty line

Do each of the 20 above for the 5 countries you are assigned.  Then write the paper.

KB—Argentina, Cuba, Poland, Greece, Libya

DC—Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Laos, Nepal

AC—Banglaesh, Botswanna, Finland, Fiji, Georgia

MD—Albania, Morocco, Netherlands, Peru, Tanzania

RD—Austria, Denmark, Haiti, Nigeria, Senegal

CD—Afghanistan, Mexico, Portugal, Rwanda, Vietnam

JE—Burma, Croatia, Egypt, North Korea, Russia

TF—Algeria, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Nauru, Togo

JG—Bahamas, Iceland, Kuwait, Pakistan, Spain

TG—Norway, Macedonia, Israel, Sri Lanka, Zambia

JacG—Andorra, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Ireland, Iraq

JK—India, Kenya, Mongolia, Qatar, Sweden

EM—Iran, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobego

DM—Armenia, Ecuador, Germany, Latvia, Niger

JP—Belize, Brazil, Paraguay, South Africa, Venezuela

AP—Indonesia, China, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay

TS—United States, Chad, Chile, Jamaica, Italy

AS—Panama, Colombia, Syria, France, Uzbekistan

VS—Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, South Korea, Philippines, Turkey

JT—Japan, Burundi, Costa Rica, Liechtenstein, Turkmenistan

OV—Cambodia, Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Singapore, Samoa

In the United States, the following is true of our elite club of Presidents-

1. 100% Caucasian
2. 97% Protestant
3. 82% British Ancestry
4. 77% College Educated
5. 69% Politicians
6. 62% Lawyers
7. Over 50% come from top 3% of the wealth and social class
8. 69% Come from large states

Lots of diversity there?  Your FIRST assignment for today is to write a 1 page paper that summarizes your thoughts on the old adage that ANY child can grow up to be President of the United States.  Can they?

Your SECOND assignment for today is to analyze the lyrics of that old Forrest Gump standard—Fortunate Son, by Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Write one paragraph about what a “Fortunate Son” is and what kind of America John Fogerty thinks it is for someone who is not a “Fortunate Son.”  You can find the lyrics here. 

Finally, using the information that follows, write a help wanted ad for the job of POTUS.  The ad should be done in Microsoft PowerPoint on one slide and printed out.  Be sure to include qualifications, benefits, responsibilities, skills needed, etc.  The qualifications / benefits include:

1. Qualifications
   1. Must be 35 years old
   2. Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years
   3. Must be a natural born citizen
2. Benefits
   1. $400,000 salary (tax free)
   2. $50,000/ year expense account
   3. $100,000/ year travel expenses
   4. A nice house (White House)
   5. Secret Service Protection (Even after leaving office)
   6. Country Home (Camp David)
   7. Personal Airplane (Air Force One)
   8. Staff of 400-500 full-time employees

Today, your party needs to develop 5 press releases. 

1. A press release concerning the incident in Dekalb.
2. A press release concerning your parities determination to move forward
3. A press release that shows you confidence in winning the election
4. A press release that shows your approval or disapproval of the economic stimulus package.
5. A press release that elaborates on the view of the candidate on one specific issue.

Each press release should be aproximately one page long.  All releases are due before the end of 5C.  A press release should sound like a newspaper article, but be written in a very unobjected, very slanted view favoring your candidate.

We are mere days away from the first party convention.  On Monday, February 11 we will have our first convention.  Remember, be thinking about how you can fill 40 minutes of classtime and still be interested.  You will have the first 5 minutes of classtime to get things set up and to get everything ready to go.  After those first 5 minutes though, the floor is YOURS.  You should keep the class actively engaged.  It doesn’t matter how you do that—treats, pop, etc are fine, games, activities, and whatever else you can come up with.  Mr. Clydesdale will NOT be stepping in to save yur campaign if you are bombing.  BE READY and entertain the class.  If you would like suggestions, feel free to stop in to see Mr. Clydesdale after school, but be sure to tell him before you do so he waits for you!  The only requirements for your convention are:

1. At least a 2 minute rally speech should be given by both members of your pary who are NOT the candidate.
2. At least a 2 minute acceptance speech gven by the candidate which should include thanking supporters and workers and outlines his  / her route to the White House.
3. 40 minutes of non-stop (except for lunch) activities.

You will be graded on

1. Your enthusiasm
2. Your ability to keep the class engaged
3. Your creativity
4. Your preparedness
5. Your speeches

If you have any questions be sure to ask Mr. Clydesdale BEFORE your convention day is here!!!

The next step in your election simulation is to develop and produce 2 campaign advertisements for YOUR candidate.  You should pick 2 campaign ad types from the following:

1. Testamonial (endorsement–can get you 10 extra credit points, but must be done outside of class before or after school or with your own video camera.)
2. Mudslinging
3. Transfer
4. Card Stacking
5. Plain Folks
6. Glittering Generalities
7. Contrast

Filming will begin on Wednesday, February 6 during class time.  Be ready to go when your party is called to film.  The first set of campaign ads are due on Thursday February 7.

For those of you who can, make sure you vote on February 5!  For those of you who cannot, encourage someone who can to vote!

Testimonial

• According to http://www.centerforpolitics.org, a testimonial advertisement contains endorsements from celebrities and other well-known people.

Download Michael Jordan Video for Bill Bradley

Mudslinging

• According to http://www.centerforpolitics.org, a mudslinging advertisement make assertions about the opponent in a variety of unflattering ways. Name-calling and/or groundless assertions about one candidate by his/her opponent. This advertising strategy is used by a candidate primarily to create a negative impression of one’s opponent. This strategy may backfire and create a negative impression of the candidate who is responsible for the creation of the negative ad if used excessively, or in a manner that is perceived as false, deceptive, “tasteless” or “going too far.”

Download a commercial slamming former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Transfer

• According to http://www.centerforpolitics.org, a transfer ad is one that has the use of popular symbols to create a positive connotation for the candidate or the use of negative or controversial symbols to create a negative connotation of one’s opponent.

Download a video for Steve Forbes.

Card Stacking

• According to  http://www.centerforpolitics.org, a card stacking ad is one that makes use of statistics, often in a one-sided manner; the omission of information that is crucial to drawing an informed and balanced conclusion.

Download a card stacking ad that gives just one side.

Plain Folks

• According to http://www.centerforpolitics.org, a plain folks ad is an attempt by a candidate to appeal to the average voter as just “one of the people.”

Download a very strange ad!

Glittering Generalities

• According to http://www.centerforpolitics.org, a glittering generalities ad is  usually the first type of ad used in a campaign, these spots are designed to introduce a candidate to the voters. Needless to say, like any introduction, these types of ads are almost always very positive. Designed to leave the viewer with a very good first impression. This ad type uses very vague words and phrases that have a positive effect on the viewer and appeal to a variety of interests.

Download a John McCain for Senate ad.

Contrast Ad

• According to http://www.centerforpolitics.org, a contrast ad uses the juxtaposing positive images of one’s candidacy with negative images of the opponent in the same ad.

Download a contrast ad.