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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tuesday's Post

Hi Class,

Tomorrow we will take time to prepare some assignments to turn in so I can give you a more complete progress report which is due this Friday. The assignments will be chosen at random (not to include assignments due at the end of the unit--like vocab and lecture note questions for example) such as FRQ's, in class data questions, and etc. You would do well to complete any assignments not finished in class or as homework for tomorrow's call-up.

If you are looking for something to write about in the blog, there is one current event that's been around for awhile that has been quite controversial. It involves an American citizen living in Yemen who is a radical Muslim who tied to some contacts with other "terrorists" including the Muslim Dr. who killed several Americans at Fort Hood last year and the Christmas "bomber" on an American airline, his plot foiled at the last minute when his explosives failed to detonate. The Obama Administration has targeted him for assassination (presumably by way of a drone attack). The American Civil Liberties Union has brought this "death warrant" to court saying that the Administration is breaking constitutional law by targeting an American citizen, effectively denying him the right to "due process" before punishment (death). What do you think? Would you change your opinion if you knew for a fact that this man had definitively been involved in terrorist attacks on the United States.

See you tomorrow!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Monday Madness...

Hi Class,

Good job today. A reminder that the Sabato Quiz #2 of Chapter 13 will be given tomorrow covering pages 470-80. The link to the quiz can be found at: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/chapter13n2.doc

Here is my attempt at the FRQ given to you today. Do with it what you will.

FRQ on Low Voter Turnout

A. Voting patterns in United States are characterized by low levels of participation. Nationally, the US registers just 50% participation compared to other industrialized nations whose levels are as high as 90%.

B. 1. One demographic characteristic contributing to low voter turnout in the United States is a person's age. The 18-24 year old age group participates least among voters of other age groups in the US. Many young people in the US cite their lack of interest in politics as well as the feeling that "their vote doesn't count."

2. Another demographic characteristic contributing to low voter turnout in the United States is race. Hispanics in the United States have the lowest rate of participation among other racial groups including whites, African-Americans and Asians. Many Latinos do not participate in the United States for a number of reasons including a lack of political efficacy as well as for meeting the citizenship requirement for some.

C. 1. One institutional obstacle associated with nonvoting is the cumbersome voter registration process . For many Americans, simply registering to vote can be a huge chore. Registrars are often difficult to locate. There are time deadlines for registering as well as difficulty filling out the often confusing voter registration form. In some cases, the registration form is not presented in the language of the intended registree. This problem contributes to low levels of participation.

2. Another institutional obstacle associated with nonvoting is election frequency. Many critics of the US electoral system cite the excessive number of elections from national, state, and local to "special elections." Discouragement sets in with the sheer number of elections held each year which ultimately leads to Americans skipping out on elections.

3. Yet another institutional obstacle associated with nonvoting is called ballot fatigue which is the sheer number of ballot initiatives placed on a ballot during a single year. Oftentimes these measures are deliberatally made confusing and many voters give up on their serious consideration. Some Americans are discouraged to go to the polls given the sheer complexity and scope of some initiative.

I hope this proves helpful. I couldn't find a student response within the FRQ's online...See you tomorrow!!!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

More Opinion on the Disney-Hijab Incident

Class,

For those participating in the blog, take a look at this article and tell me what you think:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-ryan/does-dress-code-trump-rel_b_692981.html

Check out the opinions below the article. They are as diverse as the United States is...

Friday, August 27, 2010

Mississippi Burning

Class,

If some of you need a topic to write on and add to the blog, please read this article or watch the Stewart video on the webpage and comment. So much for our "post-racial" society: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/27/nettleton-middle-school-s_n_697268.html

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Check the Workspace for Tomorrow

Hi Class,

For those of you who check the blog nightly, here is a head's up for tomorrow. I will start the class with the True/False Quiz (37 questions) on Chapter 12. It will cover everything you have read from that chapter. I have posted the quiz at the webpage workspace at: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/chapter12finalquiz.doc

Please don't forget to bring your textbook to class tomorrow!!! The Williams Committee people may visit our class. After the quiz, I will lecture on political socialization....See you tomorrow!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Your FRQ for Tonight

Class,

If you are somehow struggling with tonight's FRQ, here is the link to a "model" response on our topic submitted by AP Central: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap03_gopo_us_q2_28108.pdf

There's really no point to copy it word for word. You won't learn that way. Use this written response only as a reference if you are truly stuck. Note that the writer did not use the outline form (with letters and numbers) but wrote each paragraph to address the questions. I may put this one up on the document camera tomorrow after you guys spend some time going over each of your FRQ's with a partner. See you tomorrow.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Selective Application...

This is an interesting article on the Constitution to comment on for your entries: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_republicans_constitutional_amendments

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Check Out Roger Ebert's Post

I saw this and thought it was relevent to what we've been talking about. For those of you who don't know him, Roger Ebert is a well-known film critic who used to have a TV show called "At the Movies." Mr. Ebert recently has battled a rare form of jaw cancer and has a prosthetic jaw.

If you want to add to your posts, go fer it. Five in total for first semester!!!Check out this link: http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/08/ten_things_i_know_about_the_mo.html

Thursday, August 19, 2010

So Happy It's Thursday...

Hello Class,

Remember the reading for tonite is Sabato pages 410 to 415. Tomorrow's quiz can be found at: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/sabatoquiz4.doc

See you tomorrow!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Wednesday: Hump Day

Hello Class,

You all did a very nice job today in your discussions on current events (Obama's public opinion numbers on his "handling" of the economy) as well as recounting information from the lecture notes. Some good feedback was in evidence at all classes today. I want to continue to encourage you to work on your vocabulary as well as the lecture note questions (57 remember?).

Textbooks:

Please don't forget to bring your O'Connor and Sabato textbooks tomorrow for our trip to the library at the beginning of class. You will officially check out the books I gave to you last Wednesday.

Hardball:

Tomorrow after our textbook exercise we will watch a Chris Matthews' (of MSNBC Hardball fame) special on the Tea Party Movement. It should be quite interesting. See you tomorrow!

Monday, August 16, 2010

DIA Link and Handout

For Fifth Period, at the suggestion of a student, here is the link to DIA: Public Opinion as well as the first three questions....

http://learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=1921

DIA: Public Opinion: The Voice of the People
1. Why did the Republicans eventually give in on the airport security bill?

2. How did political leaders know what the public wanted?

3. Is this example atypical of the power of public opinion?

So Happy It's Monday....

Hello Class,

A reminder that tonight's reading will feature Sabato pages 403-410. There will be a quiz tomorrow on those pages. Hey, if anyone is looking for a second blog entry topic they can continue the discussion of the Mosque being built near "ground zero" territory. Is this an issue of freedom of religion or an opportunity for Mosque planners to exercise more sensitive judgement? What do you think? Also, take a look at the earlier blog assignment posted on May 25th below. You will be doing this on Tuesday night if you want a head's-up. See you tomorrow.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Happy Friday

Hello Class,

Please read Sabato pages 398 to 403 for Monday's quiz. If you want to see the actual quiz you will be taking on Monday, use this link: http://www.mtbarclay.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/sabatoquiz2.doc
That should make things easier for you. Also, you should start working on the Unit 2Political Culture Study Guide(57 questions).

Make sure your permission slip(video) is also signed by Monday. Have a nice weekend!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

First Blog Entry

Hi Class,

Please take a look at my website and comment on what works for you.

Thanks,

Mr. Barclay

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Welcome 2010-11 Students

Welcome to my Blog and to my class for 2010-11. Some of you were perhaps expecting to be enrolled in Mr. Pizarro's class. He has decided to take a sabatical year to focus on his law firm as well as his family. He plans to return for the 2011-12 school year.

If you want a head start to the year and are reading this before the handouts are given out on the first or second day of class, we will begin the year off focussing on Unit 2 of GOPO which concerns Political Beliefs and Behaviors. In this unit we will concern ourselves with where American citizens acquire their political identity and how they vote among other things. I believe this is a good unit to start on because it is a little more immediate and relevent than Unit 1 which has to do with the constitution and federalism. Check out Unit 2 in the AP Government Workspace found at: http://mtbarclay.tripod.com/mrbarclaysgovernmentclassalisalhighschool200708/id13.html

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Political Ideology Assignment

Class,

Here is an assignment that I want you to complete:
Go to this link: http://typology.people-press.org/typology/
Go ahead and take the typology quiz and print out your results which you will turn in with your binder when we have our first binder check.
I want you to also do another one at:http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz
and print out those results as well. Answer the following questions to accompany the quizzes you take typewritten or handwritten:

1. Where your results for both tests the same? Generally summarize where you are politically on the scales and briefly describe the characteristics of your ideology (i.e. When I took the scales I turned out to be a Republican. Republicans generally believe in....)

2. Where you surprized where you ended up on the political scales? Why or why not?

3. Does your political ideology match up with your parent's or relative's political ideology?

4. Knowing yourself as you do, do you think that your political ideology will change or stay the same as you get older?

5. Do you think it is important to know where you stand politically? Why or why not?