RECURRING HOMEWORK: Democracy Now

Assignment
Watch the "Headlines" portion of Democracy Now every Tuesday and Thursday.  This usually encompasses the first 15-20 minutes of each episode.

Episodes can be viewed at http://www.democracynow.org/ 

If you want a transcript of the headlines to read along with while you watch, click the Headlines link just to the right of the video on the main page.  (Example: http://www.democracynow.org/2013/1/2/headlines )

Write a short summary (2-3 sentences) about 5 of the topics that are reported on.  Write down 5 questions you have about the stories.


Due date
The beginning of class every Wednesday and Friday.

In class: The discretionary budget

Date assigned
Friday, Dec. 14


Assignment
First, open up the image "Death and Taxes" (located here).  Make sure you zoom in to the center first, to read what the image is all about.  This graphic represents discretionary spending only - no mandatory spending (like Social Security or Medicare) is represented.  This is only the spending that Congress can change every year.

Spend some time just looking at the graphic.  Make sure to read the key in the top left entitled "How to read the data."  Compare the sizes of different parts of the budget.  Then answer the following questions in at least two pages, typed and double spaced:

1) Which 5 parts of the discretionary budget are smaller than you thought they'd be?  Why did you think they'd be bigger?

2) Which 5 parts of the discretionary budget are bigger than you thought they'd be?  Why did you think they'd be smaller?

3) Consider the defense portion of the discretionary budget (basically the entire left side of the image).  Which aspects of military spending were you unaware of?  Which aspects of military spending cost more than you thought they would?  Which aspects of military spending do you think should be expanded or cut?

4) Many programs in the discretionary budget have seen large percentage changes in the amount of money allocated to them between 2002 and 2012.  Which of these percentage changes surprised you the most?

5) If you were put in charge of rewriting the budget for 2013, what are the biggest changes you would make?  Why would you make those changes?


When you finish, email it to me at jreinhol@pps.net or mr.reinholt@gmail.com


Due date
Friday, Dec. 14

In class/homework: Profit vs. Value

Date assigned
Monday, December 10


Assignment
Read "We Need To Stop Maximizing Profit And Start Maximizing Value" at businessinsider.com (found here).  Write one paragraph in support of current corporate policy (maximizing profit) and one paragraph in support of the author's position (maximizing value).


Due date
Periods 5 and 6 - Monday, December 10, end of class
Period 8 - Wednesday, December 12, beginning of class

Homework: Legislative powers

Date assigned
Wednesday, November 28


Assignment
Read the following portions of the Constitution in your textbook (pages 233-238):

- Article I, Sections 1-3 and 7-10
- Article IV, Section 3
- Article V

Then answer the following questions:

1) How long is a term in the House of Representatives?
2) What are the qualifications necessary to run for the House of Representatives?
3) How long is a term in the Senate?
4) What are the qualifications necessary to run for the Senate?
5) There are 100 senators - who represents the tie-breaking vote if there's a 50-50 split?
6) Which house tries impeachments?  What happens if an impeachment is successful?
7) When the House of Representatives and the Senate both pass a bill, it then goes to the President.  The president has four options when deciding whether or not that bill should become a law.  Describe three of those options.
8) How can the House and Senate override a presidential veto?
9) Of all the powers listed in Article I, Section 8, describe 15 of them.
10) What does Article I, Section 9.1 mean?
11) What is the Writ of Habeus Corpus?  When may it be suspended?
12) What is an ex post facto law?
13) What actions are reserved for Congress that individual states are prohibited from doing, according to Article I, Section 10?
14) What is the process by which a new state can apply to join the United States?
15) How can Congress amend the Constitution?


Know this - if you just copy and paste your answers, you will receive zero credit.  Answers MUST be in your own words.


Due date
Monday, December 3

In class: Election free write

Date assigned
Wednesday, November 7


Assignment
Free write for 5 minutes on the following topics:

- What surprised you about the election last night?
- What questions do you have about the election?
- What does last night's election mean for the US as a nation going forward?
- How will political parties in the US change their strategy in the future based on last night's results?


Due date
Wednesday, November 7, end of class

In class: Ballot

Date assigned
Monday, November 5


Assignment
5th and 6th period - Fill out a ballot, voting only for president, Measure 79, Measure 80, and Measure 82.

8th period - Fill out a ballot, voting only for president, Measure 79, Measure 80, and Measure 85.


Due date
Monday, November 5, end of class

In class: Initiative process in Oregon

Date assigned
Monday, November 5


Assignment
5th and 6th period - research Oregon ballot measures 79, 80, and 82.  Come up with a list of potential pros and cons for each ballot measure.

8th period - research Oregon ballot measures 79, 80, and 85.  Come up with a list of potential pros and cons for each ballot measure.


Due date
Monday, November 5, end of class