Voting - Part Two

Objective

• Evaluate the American electoral system

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Polling on Debate Impact
2. Free Candy (Crowley)
2. Issue #11: Voting 
1. Voting Restrictions
2. Voting Systems
3. Coming Up...
1. "The Rumble" Extra Credit 10/16 (Today @ 2:30)
2. Second Presidential Debate 10/18 (Tonight @ 9:00)
3. Politics and Voting Test 10/18 (Thursday)
4. Political Ad Extra Credit due 8/29

Voting

Objective

• Evaluate the American electoral system

Agenda

1. Return Work
2. Current Events
1. Breaking the Sound Barrier
2. Crucial Week For Obama & Romney
3. SNL on Presidential Debate (Big Screen)
3. Issue #11: Voting 
1. Electoral College
2. Voting Restrictions
3. Voting Systems
4. Coming Up...
1. "The Rumble" Extra Credit 10/16 (Tuesday @ 2:30)
2. Second Presidential Debate 10/18 (Tonight @ 9:00)
3. Politics and Voting Test 10/18 (Thursday)
4. Political Ad Extra Credit due 8/29

Campaign Finance Reform - Part Five

Objective

• Evaluate the effects of the Citizens United Decision

Agenda

1. Return Work
2. Current Events
1. VP Debate Analysis
2. Factcheck.org
3. Discuss Debate
1. Who won the debate?
2. Memorable and significant moments?
3. By policy area (domestic, foreign, social)
4. Colbert Super PAC
1. See Link on Right
5. Discussion:
1. New Price of American Politics
1. Potter vs. Bopp
2. Solutions & Proposals?
6. Issue #11: Voting  (begin, if time)
1. What is democracy?
2. Electoral College
7. Coming Up...
1. "The Rumble" Extra Credit 10/16 (Tuesday @ 2:30)
2. Second Presidential Debate 10/18 (Tonight @ 9:00)
3. Politics and Voting Test 10/18 (Thursday)
4. Political Ad Extra Credit due 8/29

Campaign Finance Reform - Part Four

Objective

• Evaluate the effects of the Citizens United Decision

Agenda

1. Missing Work?
1. Political Platforms
2. New Price of American Politics Worksheet
3. Put them in the inbox (labeled "1" at front of room)
2. Current Events
1. Turkey Stops Syrian Plane
2. Romney Shifts To Center
3. Warm-Up #15: "Does the change in Romney's positions/tone represent cynical political maneuvering   If so, why do you think so?  If not, do you think he's really more of a moderate or a conservative, and what explains people's confusion?
4. Follow-Up From Yesterday (Romney's Plan)
1. "Vague Against the Machine"
2. "Romney's Wizardry"
3. Discuss Current Events
4. Colbert Super PAC
1. See Link on Right
5. Discussion:
1. New Price of American Politics
1. Potter vs. Bopp
2. Solutions & Proposals?
6. Coming Up...
1. Vice Presidential Debate 10/11 (Tonight @ 9:00)
2. "The Rumble" Extra Credit 10/16 (Tuesday @ 2:30)
3. Political Ad Extra Credit due 8/29

Campaign Finance Reform - Part Three

Objective

• Evaluate the effects of the Citizens United Decision

Agenda

1. Turn In Homework
1. New Price of American Politics Worksheet
2. Current Events
1. Religion in USA Study
2. Religion & Politics
3. "Infidel" Teen Girl Shot in Afghanistan
4. Early Voting in Ohio
5. Warm-Up #14: "Was the court correct in ordering Ohio to apply this provision to all voters, or is the state right in offering early voting only to those in the military?  Explain your decision."
3. Discuss Current Events & Article
4. Colbert Super PAC
1. See Link on Right
5. Coming Up...
1. Vice Presidential Debate 10/11 (Thursday @ 9:00)
2. "The Rumble" Extra Credit 10/16 (Tuesday @ 2:30)
3. Political Ad Extra Credit due 8/29

Campaign Finance Reform - Part Two

Objective

• Analyze strategies used in political advertisements

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. "Saudi" Weapons Found in Syrian Rebel Base
2. Post Debate Poll Data
3. Mitt Romney on Middle East
4. Warm-Up #13.  Romney argues, "We cannot support our friends and defeat our enemies in the Middle East when our words are not backed up by deeds."  Should the United States take a more aggressive role in the Middle East?  If so, what should we be doing differently?  If not, why is Romney mistaken?
2. "The Rumble" - Possible Screening - Dates?
1. Thursday - 10/11 - 2:30 to 4:00
2. Tuesday - 10/16 - 2:30 to 4:00
3. Thursday - 10/18 - to 9:00 to 11:00
3. History of Campaign Finance
4. Colbert Super PAC
1. See Link on Right
5. Homework
1. New Price of American Politics - Worksheet due 10/10 (Wed)
2. Political Ad Extra Credit due 8/29

Campaign Finance Reform

Objective

• Analyze strategies used in political advertisements

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Unemployment Rate Falls to 7.8%
2. World of Warcraft Political Attack
2. "The Rumble" - Possible Screening - Dates?
1. Thursday - 10/11 - 2:30 to 4:00
2. Tuesday - 10/16 - 2:30 to 4:00
3. History of Campaign Finance
4. Colbert Super PAC
1. See Link on Right
5. Homework
1. New Price of American Politics - Worksheet due 10/10 (Wed)
2. Political Ad Extra Credit due 8/29

Political Advertisements - Part 3

Objective

• Analyze strategies used in political advertisements

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Romney's Tax Plan - Nonpartisan Analysis
2. Return Ideologies Tests & Lifetouch Pictures
3. Reminder:  New Price of American Politics
1. The New Cost of American Politics 
2. Worksheet due on Wednesday
4. Political Ad - Extra Credit Project
5. Political Ads
1. Attack 
6. Constructing the Message
1. Frank Luntz Agrees to An Ad (7:00)
2. Frank Luntz (6:00)
3. Frank Luntz Focus Group (5:00)

Political Advertisements - Part 2

Objective

• Analyze strategies used in political advertisements

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Fact Checking the Debate
1. Fact Check - Denver Dubious Debate Declarations (and an awesome alliteration)
2. Warm-Up #12 
1. Based on your viewing (if you saw it), media coverage, and fact checking, evaluate each candidate's debate performance.  Who performed better?  Who was more honest?
3. Debate #1 Discussion
1. General thoughts & memorable moments
2. Who "won" the debate?
2. Political Ads
1. Symbolism
2. Humor
3. Targeted
4. Dramatic
5. Attack

Political Advertisements

Objective

• Analyze strategies used in political advertisements

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. PA Voter ID Law Enforcement Halted
1. Warm-Up #11: Do you agree with the court's decision?  Why or why not?
2. Ten Memorable Debate Moments
2. Political Ads
1. Repetition
2. Fear
3. Hope
4. Authenticity
5. Damage Control
6. Symbolism

Parties & Ideology Part Two

Objective

• Evaluate the major party platforms
• Analyze the impact of ideology and partisanship on public dialogue

Agenda

1. No Current Events Today
1. Get To Work In Groups!
2. Party Platforms
1. Complete worksheet in group of two or three
2. See Platform PDFs on Sidebar
3. Analysis - Democratic Platform - An Uneven Progression
4. Analysis - Republican Platform - Shift from Moderate to Conservative
3. Dangers of Ideology and the Death of Irony
1. Conventions - Party of Inclusion (D)
2. Conventions - Abortion Law & Republican Platform (R)
3. Conventions - Finger Pointing (Both)
4. Homework
1. First Presidential Debate (on Wed 10/8)
1. Time - 9:00 to 10:30 
2. Topic - Domestic Policy
3. Format - Standard Debate
2. The New Cost of American Politics 
1. Worksheet due Tuesday 10/9  (see handout or sidebar)

Parties & Ideology

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's argument about the roots of political ideology
• Evaluate the major party platforms

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. News - Iranian News Agency Duped
2. News - Another Big Supreme Court Term Coming
3. Opinion - JK Rowling on "You Didn't Build That"
4. Opinion - What To Expect in Debates
5. Optional - Gangnam Style as Social & Economic Satire  (Global context for the curious.  This won't be tested.)
2. Engagement Reflection (5 points)
3. Moral Roots of Liberals & Conservatives
1. Discussion
4. Party Platforms
1. Complete Worksheet in group of two or three
2. See Platform PDFs on Right Side
3. Analysis - Democratic Platform - An Uneven Progression
4. Analysis - Republican Platform - Shift from Moderate to Conservative
5. Homework
1. The New Cost of American Politics  (due Monday 10/8)
2. First Presidential Debate (on Wed 10/8)
1. Time - 9:00 to 10:30 
2. Topic - Domestic Policy
3. Format - Standard Debate

Ideologies Test

Objective

• Describe and evaluate the main ideas of Utilitarianism, Libertarianism, Socialism, Conservatism, and Liberalism.

Agenda

1. Political Ideologies Test

Ideologies Summary

Objective

• Evaluate the core values of liberalism
• Determine which political ideology best describes your beliefs

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Romney on Trade & Foreign Aid @ CGI
2. Obama Speech @ UN
2. Ideologies Test on Friday
3. Issue #7: Liberalism
1. Social Policy
2. Foreign Policy
3. Critics
4. Political Compass
1. Political Spectrum
2. Political Compass
3. http://www.politicalcompass.org/
4. Discussion

Liberalism

Objective

• Evaluate the views of Conservatism with respect to social, economic, and foreign policy.
• Describe the core values of liberalism

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Foxconn Plant Closes in China After Riot  (suggested by Jason)
2. Windows on a Plane  (shared by Brianna)
3. No Written Warm-Up
2. Ideologies Test on Friday
3. Issue #6: Conservatism
1. Criticism
1. Foreign Policy Shift
2. Reactionary Attitude
4. Issue #7: Liberalism
1. Freedom
2. Economic Policy
3. Social Policy
4. Foreign Policy
5. Critics

Conservatism - Part Two

Objective

• Evaluate the views of Conservatism with respect to social, economic, and foreign policy.

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Libyans Sieze Militia Bases
2. No Written Warm-Up.  If your group did not turn in the Oakeshott Reading or was missing part of it, please print it and put it in the inbox now.
2. Issue #6: Conservatism
1. Brief Review of Conservative Disposition
2. Social Policy
3. Edmund Burke
4. Economic Policy
5. Foreign Policy

Conservatism

Objective

• Describe the core ideas of Conservatism
• Analyze Oakeshott's view of the conservative disposition

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. CBS: Romney Strikes Back + Original Audio
2. Daily Show - Millionaire Gaffemaker (and Part Two)
3. No Written Warm-Up:  Class Discussion
2. Issue #6: Conservatism
1. Tradition
2. The Conservative Disposition
3. Reading: On Being Conservative by Michael Oakeshott
1. Complete Questions - 10 Points
4. Social Policy
5. Edmund Burke

Socialism - Part Three

Objective

• Describe the core ideas of Socialism
• Evaluate the socialist critique of capitalism

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. Warm-Up #10
1. Before reading, make a prediction
1. Who will win the election?
2. How confident are you in your prediction? (percent)
2. Analysis: Difference Between Preference and Prediction
3. Analysis: Romney Campaign Faces Distractions
4. Analysis:  Moocher States
5. Analysis: Voting Behavior and the 47 Percent
2. Issue #5: Socialism

1. Marx and False Conciousness
2. Revolution / Pure Communism
3. Economic Policy
4. Criticism

Socialism - Part Two

Objective

• Describe the core ideas of Socialism
• Evaluate the socialist critique of capitalism

Agenda

1. Current Events - Two Romney Leaks
1. Romney on American Opportunity
2. Romney on the Election
3. We'll watch clips on the Big Screen
4. Warm-Up #9
1. Do you think Romney's patriotic message about the advantages of being American undercut his "you didn't built that" criticism of President Obama?  Why or why not?
2. Evaluate Romney's analysis from the second video.   How does the video make him look?
2. Recent News & Interesting Op-Eds
1. Virginia Mosque Vandalized
2. Hidden Causes of Muslim Protests
3. Why is the Arab World So Easily Offended?
4. Rachel Maddow - "A.Q. Test" - Watch @ Home!
5. Obama v. Romney Convention Autotune
3. Issue #5: Socialism
1. Introduction & Terms
2. Social Policy
3. Foreign Policy
4. Criticism of Capitalism
5. Economic Policy
6. Criticisms of Socialism

Socialism

Objective

• Describe the core ideas of Socialism
• Evaluate the socialist critique of capitalism

Agenda

1. Current Events
1. We'll watch Rachel Maddow - "A.Q. Test" on the Big Screen
2. No warm-up for journal, instead, make sure you follow this link and sign up for DropBox.  
1. Dropbox Signup
2. Signing up and installing drop box is worth 2 extra credit points, and will provide more benefits.  First, it allows Mr. M to share PPT notes with the class.  Second, it will allow you to work together with partners more easily on upcoming group projects.
2. Issue #4: Libertarianism
1. Colbert Report on Ayn Rand & Paul Ryan (from yesterday, flash fixed!)
3. Issue #5: Socialism
1. Introduction & Terms
2. Social Policy
3. Foreign Policy
4. Criticism of Capitalism

Libya (and Libertarianism)

Objective

• Discuss the attack in Libya and Romney's comments
• Evaluate arguments presented by Ayn Rand

Agenda

1. Current Events  (assuming the power is back...)
1. Libya Events Timeline (Read Closely)
2. Romney Repeats Criticism
3. Attack May Have Been Planned
4. Warm-up #8
1. Evaluate Romney's comments about Obama's handling of this situation
   (Stay Logged In After Warm-Up - we'll return to computers!)
2. Discussion of Libya
1. Review Timeline
2. Video Clips  (Original Video, Romney)
3. Discuss issues of free speech and violence, potential vs. actual US reactions, Romney's comments & other reactions, politicization of tragedies, ideology and the political "event" and electoral impact.
3. Issue #4: Libertarianism
1. Ayn Rand
2. Evaluation of Libertarianism
4. More Libya Analysis (if time)
1.   http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/12/moments_of_truth_in_libya_and_egypt

Libertarianism

Objective

• Analyze the major ideas of Libertarianism
• Evaluate arguments presented by Ayn Rand

Agenda

1. Attendance
2. Current Events  (assuming the power is back...)
1. Power Outage
2. Iran Ultimatum
3. US Ambassador to Libya Killed (7:15 am)
4. Warm-up #7
1. Critics suggest that it is highly suspicious that Burgess Miller disappeared from the building on a field trip just minutes after the power went out.  Is this a failure of leadership, or part of an elaborate conspiracy?
2. How should the United States respond to Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons?
3. Issue #4: Libertarianism  (if time)
1. Rights
2. Description
3. Social Policy
4. Economic Policy
5. Foreign Policy
6. Ayn Rand

Utilitarianism & Libertarianism

Objective

• Evaluate the major ideas of Utilitarianism
• Contrast Libertarian ideas with Utilitarian ideas

Agenda

1. Attendance
2. Current Events
1. Chicago Teacher Strike
2. Warm-up #6
1. Why does the Washington Post consider this national news?
2. Describe two education policy changes supported by the Mayor and President Obama that put them at odds with teacher's unions.
3. Issue #3: Utilitarianism (Part 2)
1. Cost-Benefit Analysis
2. Measuring Utility
3. Conclusion
4. Issue #4: Libertarianism  (if time)
1. Rights
2. Description
3. Social Policy
4. Economic Policy
5. Foreign Policy
6. Ayn Rand

Utilitarianism: For The Greater Good

Objective

• Explain the purposes of studying political philosophy
• Analyze the major ideas of Utilitarianism

Agenda

1. Attendance
2. DNC  - Obama Speech
1. Syrian Refugees
2. Warm-up #6
1. How many refugees have fled Syria in the fighting?
2. What country has taken the majority of the refugees?
3. Issue #3: Utilitarianism (if extra time)
1. The Trolley Problem
2. The Transplant Problem
3. Categorical vs. Consequentialist Logic
4. Utilitarianism & Bentham

Obama Speech

Objective

• Explain the purposes of studying political philosophy
• Analyze the major ideas of Utilitarianism

Agenda

1. Attendance
2. DNC  - Obama Speech
1. Instead of a written warm-up, click this link:  DropBox
2. Create a dropbox account and check your email.
3. Extra Credit (1 point):  Install Dropbox Software for easy access to NGI PowerPoints & resources!
4. Watch DNC Speech & Discuss
3. Issue #3: Utilitarianism (if extra time)
1. The Trolley Problem
2. The Transplant Problem
3. Categorical vs. Consequentialist Logic
4. Utilitarianism & Bentham

Media Test / NGI

Objective

• Explain the purposes of studying political philosophy
• Analyze the major ideas of Utilitarianism

Agenda

1. Attendance
2. Test #1:  Media
3. News
1. No written warm-up.  Computer issues.
2. Watch DNC Speech & Discuss
3. DropBox
4. Issue #3: Utilitarianism
1. Intro To Philosophy
2. The Trolley Problem
3. The Transplant Problem
4. Categorical vs. Consequentialist Logic
5. Utilitarianism & Bentham

Media Bias & Philosophy Intro

Objective

• Describe different perspectives on media bias
• Evaluate forms of bias present in the news media

Agenda

1. Attendance
2. News
1. Democratic Convention Day 1
2. Warm-Up #5
1. The most direct attacks happened first, while Michelle Obama, the last speaker, was far more positive in general and indirect in any criticism of Mitt Romney .  Why do you think they structured the speeches this way?
3. Watch Michelle Obama's Speech (Part)
4. Dropbox
5. Make accounts
6. Access files
3. Issue #2: Bias
1. Vote:  Which of the following are the primary biases in the media (pick 1-2)?
1. Ideology
2. Profit
3. Corporate
2. Stewart vs. Wallace
4. Issue #3: Utilitarianism
1. Intro To Philosophy
2. Our First Moral Questions...
5. Test #1 Tomorrow
1. Multiple Choice - 20 points
1. Current Events (Summer News + First 2 Weeks)
2. Journalism & Bias  (SEE PPT ON RIGHT)
2. Essay - 20 points
1. Apply Core Values of Journalism  (Accuracy, Fairness, Balance)
2. Analyze Forms of Bias (Ideology, Profit, Corporate)

Media Bias

Objective

• Describe different perspectives on media bias
• Evaluate forms of bias present in the news media

Agenda

1. Attendance
2. News
1. MD Surplus Spurs Debate
2. Warm-Up #4
1. Would you categorize this as responsible, overtaxing, or something else?
2. Is it okay for a state to have a surplus?  
3. Watch Clint Eastwood's Speech  (on projector)
1. Discussion
3. Issue #2:  Bias 
• Does the media have a liberal bias?
• Ex: Chris Matthews in 2008 Election
• Sean Hannity's Case for Liberal Media Bias
• Other Arguments for liberal bias
• Analysis of Bias in Akin Story
• Debate:  Should the news media be patriotic?
• Noam Chomsky's Case for Conservative Media Bias
• Concluding Analysis
• Three Types of Bias
• Severity & Intent
• Equivalence Arguments