summer assignment
I. Book Purchase - Hillbilly ElegyThis book has several important facets that make it relevant reading for this class. First, it represents an element of American culture typically overlooked by the mass media - the very population that was responsible for the election of both Barack Obama and Donald Trump. In this regard, it represents a starting point for a discussion on the role of the people in the American political landscape - for better or for worse. Second, it is a glimpse into the cultural mirror of southwest Ohio as it's author hails from Middletown. It is, therefore, a mirror by which we might all see a little something of ourselves. Finally, it is a story of hope for what an ordinary student from the great American Rust Belt can achieve, whether by motivation or desperation.
Assignment: Read the first three chapters before the start of the year. The best place to purchase this book is on Amazon.com. However, you might also find a copy at Half-Priced Books. Title: Hillbilly Elegy Author: J.D. Vance ISBN: 978-0-06-230054-6 |
II. learn the constitution & Amendments
Please read the contents below carefully as you will be responsible for everything contained therein when we meet together in the fall.
There will be tests that happen periodically throughout the year to make sure that you have memorized the basic elements of the United States Constitution and its 27 Amendments. Be expecting one immediately within the first few days of class. I will know the nature of your diligence in study when I grade it. Below are two links to Quizlet cites related to the Articles and Amendments. Both will provide you with tools to learn as well as self assessments to test your progress. Make use of them and test yourself frequently to make sure your learning is permanent and complete. You won't regret it!
There will be tests that happen periodically throughout the year to make sure that you have memorized the basic elements of the United States Constitution and its 27 Amendments. Be expecting one immediately within the first few days of class. I will know the nature of your diligence in study when I grade it. Below are two links to Quizlet cites related to the Articles and Amendments. Both will provide you with tools to learn as well as self assessments to test your progress. Make use of them and test yourself frequently to make sure your learning is permanent and complete. You won't regret it!
III. Go in depth...
Now that you have memorized the summaries of the Constitution and its Amendments, I want you to start digging it to the contents to become more familiar with it. Remember: the Constitution is a living, breathing document that has changed over time as Amendments were added. It defines the structures of government, implies the sanctity of individual fundamental rights, and overtly protects them. Below you will find two links. The first button will give you the assignment - a Word document. I would like you to print it off and fill in the answers by hand. (You will need to use separate paper as the spaces are not nearly large enough for you to answer the questions. ) The second button will take you to the cite that you need to answer all the questions. This assignment will be due the first day of class. Please prepare accordingly - it will take longer than you think to complete!
- A note on the use of Microsoft Word: documents that are posted on this site will always be in Word format. If you do not have access to Microsoft Word on your home computer, you can create an account with live.com (a free cloud-based system similar to Google Drive that allows you to access Microsoft Office Suite for free. I highly recommend that create an account as I feel it is superior to Google Docs in many ways.)
IV. Political ideology self assessment
The third element of your preparation is to take the political typology quiz below. This will not take long, but it is necessary to our future exploration. You will find the results to be different than merely labeling you as Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal, left or right. This is intentional. And it is more reflective of the diversity of political beliefs among Americans than the overly simplified terms above would suggest. You will take this quiz again at the end of our exploration together to see if there are any changes after a year's worth of intense study. Be sure to print or write down the results and staple them to the Constitution Assignment from part II.
V. Supreme Court Case Profiles
The fourth element of your preparation is to research the following Supreme Court cases. These eighteen cases are all required material for mastery by the College Board for AP American Government and Politics. The button below will take you to the website, Oyez.org (pronounced oye-yay). There you will find a brief of each case which contains three elements:
- the facts of the case
- the key constitutional question at stake in the case as understood by the Supreme Court
- the majority opinion of the Supreme Court
supreme court Cases
Judicial Review
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Once you have completed all five elements above you can explore the contents of this website as you wish. Any additional preparation that you do now over and above what I have required will benefit you greatly! This is an information-rich course. The more familiar you are with the subject matter the easier will be your path of study during the year. Be well, young scholars!