We The People

I just want to say that I am so proud of you all who participated in We the People this year. I believe that you were a phenomenal team and I truly believe that you have what it takes to make a championship team.

I am so thankful to all of you for working so incredibly hard. Believe me, it did not go unnoticed by me and the other teachers. I know that you will remember the skills that you gained from this experience.

This Week:

Back to the Grind

1. Political Ad Project

2. Why Americans Hate Politics and Politicians

Political Ad Project

Political advertisements are a way for the candidates to introduce themselves, introduce their policy, remind the public of their service, or just show how patriotic they are. But most of us don’t remember those ads, we remember the attack ads. These are the ads where they tell the public why they are more qualified or more likely, why the other person is not. Sometimes, it gets really dirty and sometimes they just try to “out-America” the other person.

Campaign ads can be simply seen as a job interview. They are, in reality, begging us to give them a job. We will discuss this week, what goes into an effective political advertisement. We have seen political parties create ads that are sometimes brilliant and sometimes controversial. We also see political groups, such as Move On.Com or the NRA put out ads attacking or endorsing candidates or issues.

Through this project you will, in groups, put together your own political ad. It should be a campaign ad for the upcoming election. You will choose a presidential candidate and create a 30-60 second television spot for thm. I am most interested in seeing how you apply the proper advertising techniques to the major candidates in the upcoming election.

Here are the requirements:

A 30-60 Second Video (VHS or DVD) or Recording (tape or CD)
A Script of what you plan on presenting including the topics that you plan on focusing on (this will be graded)
They should be in good taste and should have a clear goal in mind
The issues and facts must be accurate in order to receive credit

You will be graded on the content of your ad as well as the creativity (remember you only have 30-60 secs)

Supreme Court Analysis Assignment

The Constitution

Constitution Center

Constitution Roadmap

Constitution Facts

USConstitution.org

FoundingFathers.info

Federalist Papers or here...

Articles of Confederation

Shays' Rebellion

"Democracy Matters are Frightening in our Time" ~Cornel West

Write a 250 word reply to this introduction

We the People Presentation Preparation

State Questions

We the People Website @ Center for Civic Education

(you'll find the presentation rubric, score sheet, etc... INCLUDING THE TEXTBOOK COMPANION SITE, here)

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action" -George Washington - 250 Word Response to this quote

Natural Rights Philosophy

How would John Locke look at the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina?

"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you." -- Pericles (430 BC)

Look at this guy! Locke

Read his works!

He may look crazy, but he helped shape America

John Locke

Welcome Seniors to your Final Year in CGI

I am looking forward to working with you all. We will be working hard so that we can improve on last years senior class in the National We Principal Seymour Skinner the People program. I know most of you and I know your talents and I am confident that we will do well this year.

After the WTP competition, we will be devoting the second half of the year focusing on Constitutional Law and preparing for the AP Government and Politics Exam.

Please make good use of this website. I will post syllabi, homework, papers, class notes and announcements. Also you can e-mail me from here. I will not accept any late work so if you are absent, this website can be a lifesaver.

Course Description: This is the capstone course of the Civics and Government Institute. It combines the Advanced Placement Government and Politics curriculum with the nationally renowned "We the People" curriculum. In so doing, it will provide students with a unique analytic perspective on the foundations and evolution of government and politics in the United States. The course, then, is concerned with the nature of the American political system, its development over the past two hundred plus years, and how it continues to function today. It examines in detail the structure and function of the Constitution, the principal processes and institutions through which the political system functions, and the creation and implementation of public policy.

As a component of the course, some of the students will be involved in a simulated congressional hearing which will allow the students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Constitutional principles. This hearing will be on a statewide basis, which may lead to the national annual competition in Washington D.C.

Click here to learn more about the "We the People" program.

2009 - 2010 Course Description

Bring your "We the People" book with you everywhere!

Take part in the this EXTRA CREDIT opportunity to help Mr. Wingren decorate the room.

Take a picture of yourself with your "We the People" book somewhere interesting, funny or odd and hand it in.

Resources

How to cite sources links:

Law Links:

Constitution Search

Federalist Papers Search!

Try the Political Compass

American Exceptionalism

19th Century Sentiment. Have we taken it too literally?

Enter the Government & Politics Chat Room

Enter your name, but you don't need to write anything for profile.

Assignments Coming up...

“Democracy, unchecked rule by the masses, is sure to bring arbitrary redistribution of property, destroying the very essence of liberty” -200 word response to this statement:

200 Word Response to this quote: "Democracy is the process by which we get ourselves organized to perform capitalism". 250 word response.

Enter the G&P Chat Room

Classical Republicanism & Natural Rights... An American Recipe.

Classical Republicanism

What important principle was Washington acknowledging when he resigned his commission at the end of the Revolution?

Which is which?

Classical Republicanism vs. Natural Rights Philosophy

Who were the founding fathers? And, do we admire them? Put your gloves on people!

Great Reading on Classical Republicanism

Classical Republicanism

The Common Good. Is that Possible?

We Borrowed More than Just Ideas!

Democracy in Action

Issues in Action

Links of Democracy in Action:

African Americans of the United States Congress

Check out this link

"The Declaration of rights is like all other human blessings alloyed with some inconveniences...But the good in this instance vastly outweighs the evil."

Establishment Clause, Separation of Church & State and the History of Religion in American Government

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" -US Constitution

Thomas Jefferson argued for "a wall of separation between church and state."

"A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." patriot

We will be discussing Personal Liberties and Criminal Procedure and a series of landmark cases