Create a paragraph (300+ words) for each topic (Trip)
(1) Trip 2
Have you ever read the U.S. Constitution? Sounds like a long task? Actually, the U.S. Constitution is quite brief compared to similar documents around the globe. Read the entire assignment before starting.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
1. Read through the U.S. Constitution and identify some of the most important rights and responsibilities and share them with your classmates. Don’t list everything. Limit your discussion to 8-10 elements that highlight rights and responsibilities that are most necessary for a functional democracy. Provide items from both the body of the constitution and the amendments.
2. Why did you choose these elements? Provide sound and specific reasoning.
3. The United Kingdom (Britain) doesn’t even have a formal constitution but instead relies on a history of common law. Does that sound a bit unsettling to you? Would you be comfortable with that arrangement? Why or why not?
(2) Trip 4
In this research trip we are traveling to the Pew Research Center to explore their website which displace U.S. and International opinion data on a wide variety of topics including politics & policy, health, religion, science and international affairs. Virtually visit the Pew Research Center and explore at: https://www.pewresearch.org/
- Investigate information from the Research Topics list (first column) or from the databases under the Tools and Resources tab (last column).
- Collect some interesting data for your classmates and summarize the information into a paragraph (300+ words).
- What made you choose this topic to share of the topics reviewed?
- Comment on three of your classmates’ main posts with a thoughtful analysis that moves the conversation forward. Skip the compliments and comment on substance!
- Post full links to your data and research.
(3) Trip 6 (oct 7-13)
Political Talk Shows
This week’s trip is to political punditland. If you don’t know what a pundit is, google it:-) Watch a political talk show this week. You can find a list of APPROVED shows below. Everyone must choose a different subject but not necessarily a different program…If you have another show in mind-email me but general news programs and political entertainment shows will NOT be approved. The main function should be the political stories of the week with journalists as hosts. Some shows are Sunday journalism shows and some are during the week. Most are available as a download or stream after airing.1. List the name, date, host and guests on the show. Details are important!2. Describe the journalists’ analysis of the events of the week. Summarize the entire show in detail, not just one segment. Everyone must post a different point of analysis but not necessarily choose a different show.3. Would you recommend this show to your fellow classmates?4. Go to the textbook and find a term or concept that relates to your story. Easy general terms like “democracy” and “mass media” are out. NO ONE can use a term that another student has already posted…Define the term from the textbook and tell how it relates to your story…5. Read your classmates’ postings and comment-not “I agree, I Like or Great post!”, I want meat:-)6. Cite your sources-including the chapter in the textbook.
LIST:
Political Talk Show List
YOU MUST STICK TO THIS LIST AND THESE SHOWS SPECIFICALLY! Do not just watch general news on TV.
These are political news programs with qualified journalists at the helm. Pick a NEW show to watch that you do not normally watch. BRANCH OUT of your normal viewing habits. Stick to my list of specific shows. Many are available to record or stream.
PBS: Washington Week. (Friday Night)
PBS: Amanpour (Week Days)
ABC News : This Week (Sunday)
NBC News: Meet the Press (Sunday)
CBS: Face The Nation (Sunday)
CNN: State of the Union w/ Jake Tapper or Dana Bash
CNN: The Lead w/Jack Tapper. (Week Days)
CNN: (GPS) Global Public Square with Fareed Zakaria (International News) (Sunday)
FOX: Special Report with Bret Baier (Weekdays)
MSNBC: The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart
(4) Trip 7
In this week’s trip, we will all become political campaign analysts. Log into the internet address http://livingroomcandidate.org, a campaign ad playlist website called the ‘The Living Room Candidate.’ During this trip, you will select two commercials, analyze them and present your analysis to the class. POST a LIVE LINK to each of the commercials in your assignment so we can see the commercials you have chosen.1. Choose one campaign year and analyze an ad from a Republican and a Democratic candidate. Everyone must choose a different ads. Post your campaign year and ad names (including the candidate’s last name) in the subjectline of the post.In your post, you will be expected to discuss the following:1. How would you categorize each ad? (for example, biographical, issue-oriented, value-laden, or negative). The website characterizes the ads.2. Describe the language and tone of the ad(s). Is the narrator a male, female, or the candidate? How do language and tone shape the overall message?3. How do words, images, color, music, camera angles, lighting, people, and symbols contribute to the message of the ad(s)? Do you think they are effective?4. Do you see any trends—in language, in style, in images/symbols, in people—in these ads? Can you find any common links between them?5. How do the candidates’ ads attract or appeal to their audiences? Which voting audience are they intended to reach (retired voters, new voters, working voters, swing voters)?6. How did the election turn out? This information is provided on the website.7. Did the ads selected influence you? How would you change the ads to make them more effective? Read your classmates’ posts and comment.
(5) Trip 8
This week we are taking a trip to Congress to better understand how a bill becomes law. We have already discussed interest groups and their influence on the legislative process. 1. Choose one piece of legislation (a bill) that has been introduced into the United States House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate in the current Congress. State the title and date of introduction.2. Describe the purpose of the legislation and include a discussion of the history behind this legislative remedy to an issue or problem.3. Has the bill passed one or more of the houses and by what margin? If not, what is the likelihood of passage? 4. What interest groups are for or against this legislation? Do you support this legislation? Why or why not?5. Cite your sources.
(6) Trip 9
This assignment is a Persuasion Competency evaluation for CORE IMPACTS. Make it great! This week’s trip is a visit to that peculiar animal, The Electoral College.1. Find an interesting factoid for the class that explains some aspect of the Electoral College. Choose a tidbit that illustrates the institution’s design, history, political impact, and relevancy in modern society. (Choose one)
2. Share with your classmates’ your informed opinion as to whether you believe that the U.S. should keep, reform or abolish the Electoral College. Use fact-filled persuasion to support your point of view.
