Honors American Government Assignments

Reading Quiz: Chapter 13 Section 1

Chapter 10 and 12 Test, Tuesday 11/5.

Congressional Powers Project - Due 11/1/13. See the attachment regarding the instructions and rubric.

Read Chapter 12, Sections 3 & 4 and be prepared to discuss the information in class on 10/31.

Reading Quiz: Monday, 10/28 on Chapter 12, Section 1
Study Terms:
1. Speaker of the House
2. president of the Senate
3. president pro tempore
4. party caucus
5. floor leaders
6. whips
7. committee chairmen
8. seniority rule

Debate Topic: Is the Affordable Healthcare Act good or bad? To prepare for this debate, make sure you find a MINIMUM of 4 articles (2 supporting and 2 against) to print out/ photo copy and bring to class on Friday, 10/25. Presenters/debaters: Please print out and complete a copy of the attached handout below, as well as print/copy FIVE articles defending your argument and bring them to class. Everyone needs to be prepared to discuss and answer questions on this topic.

Read the case on pg. 285.
1. Write a 5 sentence summary.
2. Answer questions 1-3.

Quiz on the House and Senate for 10/22/13. Review notes and Chapter 10 Sections 2 & 3.

Read Chapter 12 Section 1 and be ready to discuss in class on 10/22/13.

Debate Topic: Should teachers be allowed to carry firearms in the classroom? To prepare for this debate, make sure you find a MINIMUM of TWO articles to print out/ photo copy and bring to class on Wednesday, 10/16. Presenters/debaters: Please print out and complete a copy of the attached handout below, as well as print/copy THREE to FIVE articles defending your argument and bring them to class. Everyone needs to be prepared to discuss and answer questions on this topic.

Reading Quiz Wednesday 10/16: Chapter 10, Section 1

Monday, 10/14: Chapter 3 and 4 Test

Wednesday, 10/9: Amendment Quiz

Amendment Project
Due: October 3rd, Please see the attachment for directions and rubric.

Reading Quiz 10/3: Chapter 4, Section 1

Read "Federalism: Essentials of American Government" and complete the questions.

Discussion Question- 10/2
Please write two complete paragraphs (five sentence minimum per paragraph) on the following:
1st paragraph: What are some of the benefits of participating in civic and political life?
2nd paragraph: Why do so many Americans, especially younger people, in their teens and 20s choose not to participate.

Read Chapter 4, Section 1 and be prepared to discuss in class on Tuesday, 10/01.

Discussion Question:
1. What are civil liberties? How are they different from civil rights?
2. How does the USA Patriot Act raise questions about the balance between public safety and civil liberties? If you had to emphasis one goal or the other, which would you emphasis? Why?
3. Is there any point where it would become acceptable to violate a person's civil liberties? Yes or no? Why?

Debate Topic: Social media as it pertains to civil rights in schools. To prepare for this debate, make sure and find evidence for both private and public schools, in relation to the social media rules and regulations. Find a MINIMUM of TWO articles to print out/ photo copy and bring to class on Friday, 9/27. Presenters/debaters: complete handout given in class and print/copy THREE to FIVE articles defending your argument and bring them to class. Everyone needs to be prepared to discuss and answer questions on this topic.

Research an amendment that was proposed to the states but never ratified. Write an essay describing what the amendment was, when it was proposed, and why it failed. Include your own opinion about the amendment and whether or not you would support it.

Essay format:
1st paragraph: Introduction
2nd paragraph: Information about amendment
3rd paragraph: Conclusion

*****Please type and double space

Read Chp 3 Sec 3 for 9/26/13. Be prepared for a reading quiz covering Chp 3 Sec 2 & 3 on 9/26/13.

Read Chp 3 Sec 2 and be ready to discuss in class.

Read Chp 3 Sec 1 for a reading quiz on 9/24/13.

Debate Topic: Airport Security and Civil Rights. Find a minimum of two articles to print out/ photo copy and bring to class on Friday, 9/20. Presenters/debaters: complete handout given in class and print/copy three to five articles defending your argument and bring them to class. Everyone needs to be prepared to discuss and answer questions on this topic.

TEST 9/19: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
Be sure to read both chapters again and review any notes or handouts from class.

Read Chapter 2, Section 5. Reading Quiz Monday 9/16, on the information in this section.

Research the pending Mobile County Pipeline, find a minimum of two articles to print out/ photo copy and bring to class on Friday, 9/13. Presenters/debaters: complete handout given in class and print/copy three to five articles defending your argument and bring them to class. Everyone needs to be prepared to discuss and answer questions on this topic.

READING QUIZ Tuesday, 9/10: Chapter 2, Section 4

Reminder: Please remember to bring your three current event ideas to class on Tuesday, 9/10.

Watch the news regarding the current situation in Syria, and be prepared to discuss this in class on Monday, 9/9. The discussion will be in debate format. The discussion leaders for this week are as follows: Ben Strong and Boris Kresevljak pro U.S. entry into Syria, while Andrew Mahoney and Griffen Wacker are the opposing side.

Quiz 9/6: Chapter 2, Section 3

QUIZ Wednesday 9/4: Chapter 2, Section 2.

Read Chapter 2, Section 1; Quiz Thursday, 8/29.

Read Ch. 1, Sec. 3; Reading Quiz on Chapter 1.

Create a social contract, that includes five rules and five consequences. Don't be afraid to be creative!