State vs. Federal Power

Locate TWO news articles related to one of the issues testing the relationship between state and federal powers listed below:

a) immigration law (Arizona is an excellent case)
b) same sex marriage (try searching for California/ Proposition 8, though many states will work for this topic - Hawaii, Vermont, Massachussets, New York, Maine and New Hampshire have all recently taken on this issue)
c) medical marijuana
d) abortion

or an issue of your choice, but ask for permission ahead.

1) Summarize and cite two news articles related to your research topic.
Be sure to explain any discreptencies or differences in opionion that may arise in these news sources. Proper formatting for web citations is: (Author's Last, First Name, "Title of Article", Title of Webpage. Date Posted. ) DO NOT USE AN ARTICLE THAT YOU CAN NOT ACCESS FULL PUBICATION INFORMATION FOR.

2) Explain how this case study tests the authority of the federal government.

3) What laws and Constitutional clauses are relevant to this case?

4) In your opinion, are the laws of the state in question compatible with federal law? If not, why do you believe the state has been able to legislate (pass laws) in this manner?

Minimum 250 words. Posts not including citation information will not be eligible for a grade higher than N on this post.

Due Friday, October 1 by the begining of class.

Final Project Reflection and Presentation Questions

Due Date: Thursday, January 22 2009.

The Human Rights Issue Trailer Project was intended to motivate you to research a modern or historical international human rights violation while simultaneously learning new creative tools for expressing your ideas. Because this course emphasized government and politics, it is important that your final reflection and presentation illustrate the acquisition of knowledge about your nation of focus and it’s government. For your presentation, each member of your production team must write an individual reflection including responses to ALL of these questions. They may be posted on the blog, but you are responsible for being prepared to answer any of them directly during your presentation on the day of our final. This portion of the project must be completed independently from the rest of your group. It will count as a 100 point exam. Notes for EACH of the questions should be a minimum of 150 words and may not exceed 250 words. (This paragraph is 157 words.)


REFLECTION QUESTIONS/ TALKING POINTS (20 points each):

1. Sunmarize the human rights issue selected for your project. Why did your group select this issue/ event? Explain why it is particularly important in the nation(s) your group emphasized in the trailer.



2. Describe the current political system and structure of government in your nation(s) of study. Compare the government of your nation with that of the United States and at least one other nation that we have studied in class this term (India, Great Britain, Ireland, Iran, Nigeria.)



3. What are some major issues in this nation that contribute to the problem profiled in your trailer? Reference cultural, economic, political and geo-political factors in your response.



4. How does the current administration in your nation of study feel about the problem you profiled in the trailer? What are they doing to alleviate, resolve or escalate/ reinforce this problem?



5. What do you think will be the state of affairs regarding this issue five years from now in your nation(s) of study? What would it take to drastically alleviate or eliminate this problem by 2014? Who should be responsible for these improvements? (Consider funding, resources, education, technology and leadership in your response.)


Additional questions for consideration – may be asked of the group during presentation (no points, but oral responses will be evaluated on day of presentation):

Overall, what did you learn through completing this project? What questions do you still have about the topic and/ or nation that you studied.

Evaluate the finished product. What do you think worked? What could be improved? If given a “do over” what would you change about the project?

How does the finished product compare with the vision for the project your group had when planning the story board? Evaluate your effectiveness in achieving your creative vision.

If this film were produced in full, who would be your target audience? What would they learn and/ or be inclined to do as a result of seeing your film?

Discuss the creative elements of your project (visual, text, “found footage”, audio). What were your sources and inspirations for selecting these pieces. How do you think they contributed to the overall effect of the trailer?

If you saw this trailer, would you go see the film? Why or why not.
What advice would you give to students who take on this assignment in the future?

Civil War Primary Source Study

Harper's Weekly was the most popular newspaper during the Civil War, and it featured stunning illustrations, and in depth stories on all the important people and events of the war. For this week's blog assignment, analyze and evalutate material from this important primary source following the directions below:

1. Actively read any issue from the online archive of Harpers' papers from 1861-65. (These papers are 4-6 pages long and include photographs and advertisements.) The papers are available for view at:http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/the-civil-war.htm

2. Summarize two articles and/or cartoons related to the war published in this edition (be sure to indicate the date and page of each source.) What insight do these articles provide into the issues most important to Harper's Weekly readers at this time? What are the authors and/or artists' positions on the war?

3. Conclude by discussing the impact you believe papers like Harpers' Weekly had on the war.This post is due by Friday, 1/11 at 7 a.m. 200 word minimum. Remember to respond to at least one classmates post.http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/the-civil-war.htm

Swinging Sixties and Seventies mini-project introduction

For your final project of the year you will be composing a two page achievement-focused biography on a prominent figure from the 1960s or 1970s.

In order to get you ready for writing the paper, prepare a blog or creative assessment answering TWO of the questions that you must prep for the interview (answer them in first person in a blog, diary entry, video interview or any creative format you like, must be 200 words):

1. What achievements in your life are you most proud of?
2. Identify one decision or experience from your life that you truly regret.
3. If you could meet anyone from history (fact or fiction), who would it be and why?
(Ms. Francis)
4. What are your views on the a) civil rights b) feminist c) anti-war movement?

CITE YOUR SOURCES!!!

Blog due Saturday, 5/31

Paper/ Project Due Tuesday, 6/3

Paper/ Project Requirements:
A biographical blog, paper or creative assessment (poster, scrapbook, powerpoint, etc.) identifying the key achievements and enduring impact of the person you selected - at least 300 words PLUS three works cited in MLA format. (One must be a primary source.)

Additional notes for speed dating are fine.

This will be a project grade so dress the part. (+10!)

Rubric:
Paper will be worth 40%, graphic organizer 30% and blog/ notes for the dates 30%


Choices for your leader include: (YOU MUST SIGN UP ON MY DOOR SO WE DON'T HAVE DOUBLES)

Civil Rights - Martin Luther King, Jr. Ella Baker, Jim Zwerg, Medgar Evers, John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer, Angela Davis, Malcolm X, Jo Ann Gibson Robinson, Rosa Parks

Women's Rights - Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Rachel Carson, Margaret Chase Smith

Political Leaders - John F. Kennedy, Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, "Bull" Connor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis, Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, George Wallace, Richard Daley

Latin American and Chicano Rights - Feliepe Luciano, Denise Oliver, Cesar Chavez, David Sanchez

American Indian Movement Leaders- Leonard Peltier, Maxine Hong Kingston

Black Power Leaders- Stokley Carmichael, Hewey P. Newton, Elaine Brown

Counter culture leaders - Abbie Hoffman, Patty Hearst, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell,
Joan Baez, Allen Ginsberg, Tim Leary

Gay Rights Activists - Harvey Milk, Craig Rodwell, Brenda Howard

WWII and modern conroversey debate reflection

This week we debated three ethical questions in relationship to their historical context as well as modern current events:

a) Should nuclear weapons be proliferated (destroyed)? Is the use of weapons of mass destruction ever justified?

b) Should the US boycott Olympic games held in nations associated with human rights abuses?

c) Is the detention/ internment of cultural minorities in the interest of national security constitutional?

Your blog assignment OR creative assessment is to respond to one of these questions but NOT the topic you were assigned in class. Be sure to explain how this topic relates to WWII and modern society. Your assessment must be at least 200 words and include specific historical details and modern-day examples. Cite any outside research you conduct in MLA format OR provide hyperlinks.

You must respond to at least one other post if you blog.

Regents Practice Essay instead of Blog or creative assessment this week - due Monday 5/ 19

Directions: You will write or type a draft of this essay by Monday 5/19 .

The draft will be peer edited in Ms. Provosti's class on Monday - students who have Journalism will submit their drafts to me for editing. Revisions will be due next Wednesday, 5/21.The draft will count as a homework in US History and Lit or Journalism.

The revision will be graded on the 5 point Regents rubric and that essay grade (E-F) will count as a major assignment in both US History and English (Lit or Journalism) for the final marking period.

Please bring two printed copies of your work to Lit (or History if you are in Journalism) class on monday. If you handwrite your essay, try to make a photocopy of it before coming to class.

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, severalparagraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

Theme: Equality

Task: You may use any geographic feature from your study of United States history.

Some suggestions you might wish to consider include: African Americans, AsianAmericans, Native Americans, Indians, women, and persons with disabilities.You are not limited to these suggestions.In United States history, the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit ofhappiness,” as stated in the Declaration of Independence, have oftenbeen denied to certain groups of Americans.

• Identify one group from your study of United States history.
  
• Use two historical examples to show how the group has beendenied the rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
  
• Identify and discuss two efforts that have been made to help thegroup attain “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
  
• Evaluate the extent to which the group has achieved equality today.
  

THEMATIC ESSAYGENERIC SCORING RUBRIC

Score of 5:
-Shows a thorough understanding of the theme
-Addresses all aspects of the task
-Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events-Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details
-Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical andclear plan of organization
-Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

Score of 4:
-Shows a good understanding of the theme
-Addresses all aspects of the task
-Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
-Includes relevant examples and details, but may not support all aspects of the task evenly
-Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
-Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

Score of 3:
-Shows a satisfactory understanding of the theme or problem
-Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way
-Shows an ability to analyze or evaluate issues and events, but not in any depth
-Includes some facts, examples, and details
-Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization
-Introduces the theme or problem by repeating the task and concludes by repeating the theme or problem

Score of 2:
-Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
-Attempts to address the task-Develops a faulty analysis or evaluation of issues and events
-Includes few facts, examples, and details, and may include information that containsinaccuracies
-Is a poorly organized essay lacking focus
-Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

Score of 1:
-Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
-Lacks an analysis or evaluation of the issues and events
-Includes little or no accurate or relevant facts, examples, or details
-Attempts to complete the task, but demonstrates a major weakness in organization
-Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

Is it time for a New New Deal? (blog or creative assessment challenge)

Keynesian economics (pronounced /ˈkeɪnziən/, "kane-zeean"), is an economic theory based on the ideas of twentieth-century British economist John Maynard Keynes. This theory became popular in the United States during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt under his New Deal programs that were aimed at helping the nation recover from the Great Depression (1929-1936.) The state, according to Keynesian economics, can help maintain economic growth and stability in a mixed economy, in which both the public and private sectors play important roles. In the United States, this theory became popular during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal regform programs that required vast government spending in order to restore the economy and help the nation recover from the Great Depression (1929-1936.)

Consider what you have learned about the New Deal as well as the positive and negative aspects of government spending to relieve poverty and social programs. Then read the following article:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2007/02/01/8398768/index.htm

Respond to the author's question "Is it Time for a New New Deal"? Be sure to support your position with facts from class and the article itself.

Your response should be 200 words and must include a response to another post.

CREATIVE ASSESSMENT OPTION
If you prefer, you may create a poster or power point on the New Deal instead. Your poster or power point must include ALL of the following:

a) a 150 word summary (in your own words, of course) of the New Deal program and how it relates to modern US society.

b) Written analysis and inclusion of TWO primary sources (photos, political cartoons, quotes, etc.) related to the topic. Include at least one visual source. (at least 50 words more of your own analysis, for a total of at least 200 words.)

c) an MLA works cited list of works beyond class materials that helped you create this project.

DUE MONDAY 5/12 AT THE BEGINING OF CLASS

Remember to do something nice for your mom or someone who is like a mom to you on Sunday, which is Mother's Day!