Political Action Syllabus 2008

August 25-29 (week 1)

Monday 8/25

- Introduction

- What Government Does Activity

- HW: Read Chapter 1

Tuesday 8/26

- Chapter 1: American Political Culture

HW: Interactive Politics Simulation (due 8/28)

HW: You Decide Exercise(due 8/28)

— The Daily Show typically pokes fun at politicians or the media coverage of politicians. Go to the "Most Recent" videos on the Daily Show website and find a clip that satirizes either politics or the media.

— List the title of the clip. What political issue (or media coverage) is being satirized?

— The authors of the textbook point out that 21 percent of young people get their news on political events from comedy shows such as the Daily Show. What are the benefits and drawbacks from getting political information from comedians such as Jon Stewart?

— Did you find the above clip informative/helpful or misleading

Thursday 8/28

- Chapter 1 continued

- HW: Questions 1&2 (typed and in formal essay format)(due 9/1)

1) The military draft in the United States was abolished in 1973. Some people believe that everyone ought to perform at least one year of mandatory public service, either in the military or in community service.

— Do you agree? Why or why not?

— What benefits do you see to mandatory public service? What problems?

— If there were mandatory service, should it be required of both men and women? Which would you choose: military service or community service?

2) Combating terrorism has entailed restrictions on civil liberties.

— How can we reconcile civil liberty and national security?

— Where we, as a nation, are compelled to make choices, are we better off opting for more liberty or more security?

- HW: Political Attitude Interview (Due 9/1)

— Interview someone from a different country. Have them compare that country w/ the US in terms of government structure, political issues, and public attitudes toward the government.

September 1-5 (week 2)

Monday 9/1

- Activity: “Our State Government Scavenger Hunt”

- HW: Read Chapter 2 pp. 45-70

Tuesday 9/2

- Go over scavenger hunt and political attitude survey

- Chapter 2: The Constitution

Thursday 9/4

- Chapter 2 continued

- HW: Questions 3-5 (due 9/8)

— 3) Were the colonists fighting for liberty? Equality? Democracy? Explain.

— 4) How are the three terms above different in today’s society?

— 5) Does the war on terrorism reveal our constitutional government’s effectiveness or lack of effectiveness?

September 8-12 (week 3)

Monday 9/8

- Chapter 3: Federalism

- HW: Read Chapter 3

Tuesday 9/9

- Chapter 3: Federalism

Thursday 9/11

- Chapter 3 continued

- HW: “What is the Proper Role of Government” chart (due 9/16)

- HW: Community Attitude Survey (due 9/16)

— Create a list of five issues pertinent to our community (must be clean and appropriate!)

— Interview five upper school students to get their attitude on your list of topics

— Try to vary the type of student you interview

- HW: Questions 6-7 (due 9/16)

— 6) Should the federal govt. have more power to require greater uniformity in policy among the states? Why or why not? What policies would you like to see equalized?

— 7) If you have lived in another state, compare that state’s political culture with this state’s. If you have not lived in another state, research a state and see how it is different from TN politically.