Essay Choice 3 and 4

ELECTING A PRESIDENT

George Bush won the presidency in 2000, however, he lost the popular vote. Argue for or against our electoral system vs. the popular vote. How do you reconcile the fact that the democratic rule of ‘one man, one vote’ is not a part of

Electing our president. Find examples, do online research, that discuss this issue. What proposals have been made to change the electoral vote?

Barack Obama will be running for president in 2012. Explain the process of electing a president. Include,(see your textbook) the primary process, political parties, the role of the media, voting habits of Americans and groups, voting turnout, etc. and the controversy of electing by electoral votes not the popular vote.

SAFETY VS RIGHTS

Thomas Hobbes said that to be protected by the government, people must exchange their rights… to get safety. John Locke also commented on this when he wrote about why men create governments.

What do you think are our most essential rights (Bill of Rights), and which should be exchanged or limited for safety? Safety at school? Should they be limited at school? Why or why not? Should they be limited on the street? How? Research and explain 3 laws or proposals for each. What news stories illustrate these issues and support your point of view? Argue for or against limits on us at school, on the street, in the fight against terrorism.

Teach this Tomorrow!

ch 19 . P. 555 Be able to teach concepts:
content neutral,
right of association
Constitutional guarantees…
Time, place, manner regulations
Public property
Private property
Issue of freedom of association

HW: p. 559 Read
Describe this case; bullet arguments for and against in your words
Answer #1,2,3

Essay Choice #2

Make an argument for or against the idea that we live up to the fundamental principles and moral values of American democracy as expressed in the U.S. Constitution and other essential documents of American democracy.Give examples in history and current events that support your arguments.

1. Do we live up to the character and ideals of American democracy?
2. Does the U.S. Constitution reflect a balance between the classical republican concern with promotion of the public good and the classical liberal concern with protecting individual rights? How do we live up/not live up to the basic premises of liberal constitutionalism and democracy are joined in the Declaration of Independence as "self-evident truths."

Final Essay: Choice #1

Make an argument or thesis statement for or against gun control. Reference events from Columbine to the shooting of Gabby Giffords and 12 others who died.

Refer to the second amendment, the responsibility of the government for ‘domestic tranquility’, read about the limits on guns and ammunition is California, Arizona, Washington D.C., etc. Also compare our gun control laws and murder rates with those of other countries such as England, Sweden, Canada, etc.

Free Speech and a Free Press

•Read Ch 19 Sec. 3 Freedom of speech and press

Terms: libel, slander, seditious speech,

prior restraint, symbolic speech

Make 3-5 notes on each; include an example in the book; be prepared to teach your team

One of these concepts

•Free Expression

•Seditious Speech

•Obscenity

•Prior Restraint-

•Symbolic Speech

Team Presentations on Freedom of Religion=Be prepared!

1.Freedom of Religion; as a part of freedom of expression;
2.separation of church and state;
3.Religion and Education
4.the Lemon Test; other tests; cases
5.seasonal display;
5. Ten Commandments

Civil rights and liberties! Homework for weekend

HW: Read pp. 532-536 Essential Questions: Are your rights unlimited or is it necessary for society and government to limit them? What are the limits on freedom of speech? Freedom of religion? Freedom to own a gun?
Define the political dictionary words as you read. Answer Assessment 1-4 What is the 14th amendment and why is it so important?

PRESIDENTIAL TOWN HALL MEETING GOOD LUCK!!!