News for the College Bound

Here is a story that was on NPR this morning.

College Grads Struggle to Gain Financial Footing

Political Thought Project

This project will wrap up the semester in US/AZ Government.  You will be able to show what you have learned and how will you understand the concepts that have been discussed in the class.  All the information you need to complete the project is below.  You will work in groups of 4 -6 students.  You will be working on the project in class for the next five days.  When completed, email your work to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Political Thought Project

Sample Annotations

Policy Notes

Here are the notes for the policy lecture.  Be sure to review these notes and the readings for the quiz and the final exam.

Lecture Notes

Foreign and Defense Policy Readings

Here are the two readings for Foreign and Defense Policy readings.  Read the selections and answer the questions that are found at the end of the readings and submit your answers via email to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

The Missile Defense Debate
America  Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy

Public Policy Readings Part 2

For the readings below answer the discussion questions found at the end of the readings and submit your responses to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Robert Reich
Stephen Moore

The questions for Reich and Moore are found at the end of the Moore reading.

Social Security Reform

Public Policy Readings Part 1

Here are the readings for public policy.  These readings will assist you in your understanding of public policy such as: fiscal policy, monetary policy, domestic policy.  Information from these readings will be found on quizzes and exams.

Public Policy 1
Public Policy 2
Public Policy 3

Announcement

The last Discussion Post is up.  Be sure to post.  If you have any questions about posting, refer to the discussion post rubric.

Discussion Post

Supreme Court and Arizona

This week the US Supreme Court will hear the Arizona immigration bill, SB 1070.  Your task is to decide if you would use Judicial Activism or Judicial Restraint in deciding this case.   The Constitution and the Amendments are good place to start.  Read the 5th, 14th amendments and determine what is said about naturalization.  Also read Article I of the US Constitution, there is a section on naturalization of citizens.  The 10th Amendment will give you information on state’s rights.  I have also included some readings from newspapers that deal with the issue.

In your small group, you will be creating an Amicus Curiae brief.  Amicus Curiae is “friend of the court”.  These briefs give legal arguments or facts.  The briefs provide analysis of factors it should consider in making its decision and the implications of that decision.  While preparing your brief your group will make a case for either Activism or Restraint.  Cite examples from the Constitution, Amendments and outside readings.   Be specific when citing the Constitution, Amendments and any outside readings.  A works cited page is necessary.   Send your completed brief to lwaddell@tushd.k12.az.us

Let the Arizona Law Stand
States Await Supreme Court Hearing
Arizona Takes National Stage
US Supreme Court To Weigh Arizona Law
Mexican Immigration at a Standstill
US Constitution
Amendments to the Constitution

Final Exam

Here is a review sheet to help you get ready for the final exam.  The exam will five parts, this sheet covers parts 2-5.  Be sure to check back for more information related to the final.

Final Exam Review

Supreme Court Project

This project deals with primarily with the United States Supreme Court.  Below there are five court cases from the Supreme Court.  You will need to brief two cases (an example of the brief is included).  Once you have briefed the cases, you will select one case and answer the following questions:  What was the case’s impact on society?  Were there any cases that this case overturned?  An example is how Brown v Board overturned Plessy v Ferguson.  Is the case still being discussed today?  Are there any cases today that relate to the case?

You will also need to discuss any Presidential action on the court case.  Did the President issue a statement on the case?  Did they mention the case during a speech?  Did they ask Congress to create a law to help the case?

You also need to look at Congress.  Did they weigh in on the case?  Were any laws passed that were related to the case?  Were speeches made on behalf of the case?

When you have completed your research your final product will include the following:  the briefs for the two cases, a two to three page answering the questions above, a bibliography with links to the primary sources from the President and Congress and any other sources you have used.

Cases

Gideon v Wainwright

Bakke  v California

Engel v Vitale

Tinker v Des Moines School District

New Jersey v TLO

How to brief a court case