NGI - Conclusion

Objective

• Evaluate Mr. M's teaching of National and Global Issues and offer suggestions
• Offer advice to seniors before they head off into the world
• Be happy

Agenda

1. NGI Reflection
1. Due to technically difficulties, we'll do this part as a brief discussion rather than in writing.  I'd like you to think about a few things.  Use the list of lessons on the right bar as a reminder of our major topics/units this year.
2. What were the best lessons and topics in NGI?  Why were those so important/effective?
3. What were the least effective lessons and topics in NGI?  Should these be improved or removed, and if so how/why?
4. How would you rate the two major out of class projects (Debate/Speech).  Did you feel that Mr. M adequately prepared you for these lessons?
5. Any other big suggestions for Mr. M?
2. Top Ten - Advice To Seniors (PowerPoint)
3. Note Card
1. Write a message - any message - to Mr. M
2. Signing this message is optional

V For Vendetta (Day Two)

Objective

• Explain the causes, effects, and historical context of terrorism

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Obama to announce most expansive gun-control agenda in generations
2. U.S. weighs military support for France’s campaign against Mali militants
2. V For Vendetta
1. Watch Film

V For Vendetta (Day 1)

Objective

• Explain the causes, effects, and historical context of terrorism

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Poll: Most Americans support new gun-control measures after Newtown massacre
2. Obama: No negotiations with GOP over debt ceiling
3. White House Rejects Death Star Petition
2. Speeches
1. Remaining Speech Presentations
3. Terrorism
1. PowerPoint - A Brief History of Terrorism
1. Haardt & Negri
2. The Long War
4. V For Vendetta
1. Introduction
2. Film

Speech Presentation - Day 3

Objective

• Explain the causes, effects, and historical context of terrorism

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. The best thing about a Treasury Secretary Jack Lew
2. CFPB releases new mortgage rules in bid to reduce risky lending
3. Biden cites broad agreement on ‘universal background checks’ for gun buyers
2. Announcements
1. Speech projects are due tomorrow, Wednesday, January 9th
2. Presentations will occur from Wed to Mon.  If you are asked to present and are not prepared, you take a 5 point penalty (10% of the grade) and are put back in the pool of candidates.
3. Isabel will be leading the class today
3. Terrorism
1. PowerPoint - A Brief History of Terrorism
2. Terrorism Worksheet (if time)

Syria - Part Two

Objective

• Explain the major causes and events of the Syrian Civil War

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. A surprising map of the best and worst countries to be born into today
2. Obama’s nominations of Hagel and Brennan signal course adjustments at Pentagon and CIA
2. Announcements
1. Speech projects are due tomorrow, Wednesday, January 9th
2. Presentations will occur from Wed to Mon.  If you are asked to present and are not prepared, you take a 5 point penalty (10% of the grade) and are put back in the pool of candidates.
3. Isabel will be leading the class today
3. Syria
1. PowerPoint - Syria - Part One
2. Frontline:  "The Battle For Syria"
3. Discussion
4. Speech Prep
1. Any remaining time will be reserved for speech project preparation

Syria - Part One

Objective

• Explain the major causes and events of the Syrian Civil War

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Obama to nominate Chuck Hagel for defense secretary
2. Syria’s Assad is defiant in rare speech
2. Announcements
1. Speech projects are due on Wednesday, January 9th
2. Please carefully remove any propaganda your country's wall and place it on the middle table.
3. Please remove any cards from your country's binder and sort them on the front table.
4. Isabel will be leading the class today and tomorrow
3. Syria
1. PowerPoint - Syria - Part One
2. Frontline:  "The Battle For Syria"
3. Discussion
4. Speech Prep
1. Any remaining time will be reserved for speech project preparation

Terrorism

Objective

• Provide a brief introduction to terrorism

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. White House seems poised to retool deportation laws
2. Announcements
1. Speech projects are due on Wednesday, January 9th
3. Terrorism
1. West Wing - S3E1 - "Isaac and Ishmael"

Public Policy Speech - Part 2

Objective

• Analyze strategies for giving an effective speech

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. The fiscal cliff negotiations, in one chart
2. Christie, Republicans slam Boehner for delay on Hurricane Sandy relief measure
2. Announcements
1. Turn in your Arab Israeli Conflict Reflection by the end of class today
3. Speech Projects  (due Tuesday 1/8)
1. Example Speeches  
2. Discuss Strategies
3. Work on speeches individually

Public Policy Speech

Objective

• Analyze strategies for giving an effective speech

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Wonkbook: Everything you need to know about the fiscal cliff deal
2. Cliff deal hits a new snag with House Republicans
3. John Green explains the Politics of the Fiscal Cliff (Youtube)
4. House passes the Fiscal Cliff Deal
2. Announcements
1. Arab Israeli Conflict is currently being graded.  You'll see your scores in a few days, but it takes a lot of time to do so fairly and properly.
2. The remainder of this class is going to focus on a few topics.  You will have one more test.
1. Speech Projects
2. Terrorism
3. Syia
3. Speech Projects  (due Tuesday 1/8)
1. Review Expectations / Answer Questions
2. Example Speeches  
3. Discuss Strategies
4. Work on speeches individually

Behind Taliban Lines

(1) One topic we haven't yet had time to discuss in depth is the War in Afghanistan.  An idea central to this and other modern conflicts is seeing how insurgent groups operate.  Today you'll watch a documentary called "Behind Taliban Lines" showing how one such group in Afghanistan works.   Beyond simply what this shows about Afghanistan, remember that this is similar to the way armed resistance works in other places today (Iraq, Libya, Syria).

The video is linked here.  If the sub is having trouble finding or showing it, please assist.  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/talibanlines/view/

(2) When I return, I am not going to spend time on notes.  You have had enough extra time to research packets and I am posting the PPT on the web today.  We'll complete the simulation and move right to the test.  The only 2012 events covered in the test that are not found in the notes will be in the current events from this semester.

(3) Before the end of the period, send an email to ngi.united@gmail.com with the following

• A short paragraph description of your desired speech topic.  If it's clearly appropriate, simply outline your arguments.  If it seems unconventional, make your case why this is an NGI-appropriate topic.
• Two short sentences for two other backup topics.
• Topics are first come, first served.

Speech Project

Unfortunately, I'm still feeling pretty sick.  Once I return we'll resume our note & simulation, and we'll be having our Unit Test this Friday no matter what.  I'd encourage you to take advantage of this time in class to do one or more of the following:

(1) Finish your Arab Israeli Conflict Packet
(2) Study the content with a partner.
  - This is a big test with a lot of names/events to learn.  Make sure you are prepared.
  - Your test will be 100% multiple choice and true/false, no essay.   Know your facts.
(3) Work on your Speech Project  (details below)

The speech project is your final project for the course, which I briefly mentioned to the class previously.  You will pick a major political, economic, or social issue of significance to the United States or the world and argue one side of it that you choose.  I want you to take some time and think about this seriously:  what is the most important thing to you in global affairs?   If you could persuade everyone in this room to believe what you believed about any one topic, what would it be?

This will be a five minute long speech on any topic that fits the above criteria (and gets my approval).  This is an individual project;  there is no group option.  It is one of the few chances you'll ever get to have a soapbox in front of a captive audience of 30 people to present your views on anything you want.  So - choose wisely, and start researching!

I suggest you come up with a few topics today, then narrow it down later.  This way if your topic is rejected or taken (they must be unique), you have a backup.  These presentations will begin on Tuesday, January 8th (one week after you are back from break).

Blood & Soil - Day 9

Objective

• Simulate the history of the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Syrian forces fire short-range ballistic missiles at rebels
2. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Notes 1973-2003
2. Promises  (Part 1)
1. Will finish film after school, extra credit

Blood & Soil - Day 5

Objective

• Simulate the history of the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Egyptians take anti-Morsi protests to presidential palace
2. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Round Three - 1956-1960
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget
2. Round Four - 1961 to 1966
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget
3. Notes

Blood & Soil - Day 4

Objective

• Simulate the history of the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1.  Syrian army weakening as rebels make gains
2. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. PowerPoint Notes - Up to 1950
2. Round Three - 1950-1955
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget
3. Round Four - 1956 to 1960
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget

Blood & Soil - Day 3

Objective

• Simulate the history of the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Boehner, House GOP leaders offer ‘fiscal cliff’ counterproposal
2. Obama warns Syria amid rising concern over chemical weapons
2. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Round Two - 1948
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget
2. PowerPoint Notes
3. Round Three - 1950 to 1955
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget

Blood & Soil - Day 2

Objective

• Simulate the history of the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Israeli government okays settlement construction of 3,000 new West Bank units, official says
2. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Round One - 1948
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget
2. Round Two - 1948 to 1950
1. Money
2. Events / Free Action
3. Budget
3. PowerPoint Notes

Blood & Soil - Day 1

Objective

• Begin research on the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. The three big questions on Syria’s Internet blackout
2. United Nations upgrades Palestine’s status
2. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Brief Meetings with each group
2. Round Zero
1. This is a special, tutorial round.   During this round, there is no opportunity for free actions, espionage, or military conflict.
2. Money
3. Events
4. Budget
3. Round One
1. Money
2. Events
3. Free Action
4. Budget

Blood & Soil Rules

Objective

• Begin research on the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Car bombs kill at least 45, injure scores, in Damascus neighborhood
2. U.N. poised to offer Palestinians ‘non-member observer’ status
3. Big Screen: Colbert - The Fiscal Cliff
4. Big Screeen: Colbert - The Fiscal Cliff Compromise
2. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Brief Introduction / New Seats
2. Roles
1. General - Manages troops, sets combat strategy, understands combat system
2. Spymaster - Manages operations, plans clever missions, understands espionage system
3. Diplomat - Moves around the room, negotiates with other groups, charismatic, good poker face
4. Budget Director - Manages binder & cards, submits budget each round, highly organized and responsible
5. Press Secretary - Edits policy statements, strong writer
3. Binders
4. Begin Research
5. Describe Rules (General)
1. Break out groups - General, Spymaster, Diplomat, Budget Director, Press Secretary
3. Coming Up...
1. Thur 11/29 - Research & Rules
2. Fri 11/30 - Blood & Soil begins.

Economics Test

Objective

• Take a test on American Economic Policy
• Begin research on the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Egyptians stage mass protests against Morsi edict
2. Test #4: Economics
3. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Brief Introduction / New Seats
2. Roles
1. General - Manages troops, sets combat strategy, understands combat system
2. Spymaster - Manages operations, plans clever missions, understands espionage system
3. Diplomat - Moves around the room, negotiates with other groups, charismatic, good poker face
4. Budget Director - Manages binder & cards, submits budget each round, highly organized and responsible
5. Press Secretary - Edits policy statements, strong writer
3. Binders
4. Begin Research
4. Coming Up...
1. Thur 11/29 - Research & Rules
2. Fri 11/30 - Blood & Soil begins.

The Idea of Justice (Part 2)

Objective

•  Evaluate Rawls' and Nozick's arguments about wealth distribution in the United States
• Begin research on the Arab Israeli Conflict

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Egypt’s Morsi appears to accept some limits on his power
2.  The Idea of Justice  (~50 min)
1. Powerpoint & Discussion
3. Arab Israeli Conflict
1. Brief Introduction / New Seats
2. Roles
1. General - Manages troops, sets combat strategy, understands combat system
2. Spymaster - Manages operations, plans clever missions, understands espionage system
3. Diplomat - Moves around the room, negotiates with other groups, charismatic, good poker face
4. Budget Director - Manages binder & cards, submits budget each round, highly organized and responsible
5. Press Secretary - Edits policy statements, strong writer
3. Begin Research
4. Coming Up...
1. Wed 11/28 - Economics Test