Syllabus Week 13

Mr. Ditzenberger, American Government
Time: 3 Periods, 2:15 hours
Unit 2, Civics
Week: 13 Dates: November 5-7
Objectives:
1. Students will analyze the political viewpoints of survey participants and compare them to party platforms.
2. Students will analyze information from different media sources.
3. Students will take a pop quiz as a reminder that they should be aware that the syllabus is posted for their benefit and they can check it for make-up work.
4. Students will simulate the presidential election process and research the election process in their own country.
5. Students will develop an understanding of the evolution of democracy in the United States by listing the main events in voting history.
Materials: Textbook, http://ditzenberger.blogspot.com/index.html;
Monday
Test review sheet (Test next Tuesday).
Analysis of survey results.
Analysis of media results.
Homework: How is the president or prime minister elected in your country? Write a paragraph summarizing the process. Also write down your passion project idea. Due by Wednesday, Section four, numbers one and two (a and b), due by Wednesday.
Pop Quiz tomorrow.
Tuesday.
1. Pop Quiz (to see if students pay attention to the blog or the posting outside the room).
a) What candidate’s video are we watching in class today?
b) What would a libertarian think about public education?
c) What was the example given of a cause group in last week’s presentation?
d) How is a two party system different than a one party system?
e) Name one issue where the Libertarians are similar to the Green party.
f) For number six, write down what your passion project topic is. If I approve it, it is worth a bonus point.
2. McCain videos on blog.
3. Election simulation.
a) campaign-two issues are the War on Terror and Social Security. Each candidate can make a two minute speech. dem v dem; rep v rep. Their campaign teams make up commercials. (Speeches, commercials-positive and attack ads).
b) Paper, rock, scissors vote.
c) Dem and Rep go head to head (looser in the primary is the VP running mate with the winner).
d) Electoral College process. Determine two scenarios in which candidates could win the popular vote, but loose the electoral college vote. Population of states (zip drive).

Wednesday
1. Continue with election simulation.
2. Voting history lecture
Thursday
1. Deepavali.
Friday-
1. No school-teacher’s in-service.