Current Event Assignment - Due on Friday (see sign-ups)

U.S. Government Current Event Assignment

Due on Friday (you sign up for a time to share)

(100 points)

Locate, summarize, analyze, evaluate, and be prepared to share and discuss an article with the class that relates to U.S. Government and Citizenship. Assure the current event includes the following guidelines below:

Specific Guidelines

1. Choose a current event article with a length that should provide a sufficient amount of information for the assignment to be completed... at least 400 words. (10 points)
2. Print a full copy of the article and attach it to your paper and include a works cited listing at the bottom of the article. (10 points)
3. Summarize the article. (Suggested length- a half page - 10 points) Summarize the main points (who, what, where, when, why, how) of the article.
4. Analyze the article. (Suggested length- a half page - 10 points) This is where you need to connect it to principles of government or  past current events. Please give examples to support your response.
5. Evaluate the article. (Suggested length- a half page - 10 points) Why is this event important to know about? Please give examples to support your response.
6. Give your opinion on the article and an opposing opinion. (Suggested length- a half page - 10 points) What do you think about the current event? How does the event affect you? Your opinion must be based on prior knowledge and what you have read. Use government vocabulary and knowledge principles of democracy to support your response.
7. Write 3-5 discussion questions about the article. (10 points)

Your current event should focus on one of the following topics (10 points):

Federalism - Students will find an article that discusses a modern issue regarding the balance of power between the levels of government and illustrates the debate of federalism.

Political Culture - Students will find an article that involves American political culture.

Public Opinion - Students will find a public opinion poll from the past month and ascertain the degree of accuracy and legitimacy of the poll.

Political Parties - Students will find an article from the past month that pertains to the role that a political party has played in recent times.

Elections - Students will find an article that pertains to the current presidential/congressional elections and how each depicts a particular candidate.

Interest Groups or Media – Students will pick between interest groups or media and find an article that pertains to the role either has played in government and politics in the past month.

Congress - Students will find an article that illustrates some idea that we have covered that pertains to Congress.

Presidency - Students will find an article that pertains to the presidency and the powers of the executive branch.

Judiciary - Student will find an article that details a modern decision or actions by the Courts.

General Summary and Your Analysis:

1. What specific evidence has the author provided for the information presented?

2. What conclusions/generalizations do you draw from this article?

3. What do you think about this issue/info? Explain and justify your position.

4. Do you think it has a conservative or liberal bias? Why or Why not?

Acceptable News Sources (10 points)

Below are examples of appropriate news sources for this assignment:

http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1001
http://news.bbc.co.uk/

http://online.wsj.com/public/us

http://www.economist.com/

http://www.bostonherald.com/

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/

http://www.nytimes.com/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/print/

http://www.timesdispatch.com/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

http://www.foxnews.com/

http://www.cnn.com

There are numerous other worthy sources for your current events so this list is just a sampling. Please refrain from tabloid media such as The National Inquirer, People Magazine, etc.

Present article, summary, evaluation, at least two differing opinions, and questions in class (10 pts)

Welcome to U.S. Government and Citizenship!

Welcome to Mrs. Cannon's U.S. Government and Citizenship 2015-2016 Class!

I will be posting assignments, articles, samples of work, and other fun class tidbits here for your information and study.  If you are unsure of assignment instructions or forgot to bring the reading home, check here before you give up.

Looking forward to an awesome year!

Mrs. Cannon

Town of Greece v. Galloway - Due Monday, April 13th

If you are a Special Interest Group writing an amicus brief:

http://apps.americanbar.org/litigation/committees/appellate/email/winter2012/winter2012-amicus-brief-writing-circuit-court.html

If you are the Press:

http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/News/docs/JournalistGuide2011.pdf
(pages 6-14, 30-34)

If you are one of the Justices or Attorneys:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/12-696.pdf

(pages 1-15)


If you are a Special Interest Group writing an amicus brief, beginning writing your brief.
If you are a member of the Press, write a summary of what you learned from the reading.
If you are a Supreme Court Justice, write a summary of what you learned from the reading.
If you are an Attorney, begin writing the brief for your case


Submit these on Classroom if possible.  Otherwise, bring in a printed copy of your work.