Homework: Lobbying debate

Date assigned
Friday, December 5


Assignment
In at least 400 words, argue for and against the system of lobbying that exists in the United States today.  Post on the Google Group.


Due date
Monday, December 8

Unit 5 study guide

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mBYmr4o8KhwraSyWWMvNylPmHwmG9CJY6SKMK7bMCtA/pub

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering 101 can be found here.

5th period left off at 32:14.

7th period left off at 16:43.

Here's an article about Pennsylvania and Ohio: http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2012/11/07/how_ridiculous_gerrymanders_saved_the_house_republican_majority.html

Primaries vs. Caucuses

Date assigned
Friday, November 21


Assignment
In at least 500 words, answer the three following questions:

1) What are the pros and cons of a closed primary election?
2) What are the pros and cons of an open primary election?
3) What are the pros and cons of a primary caucus?

Post on the Google Group.


Due date
Monday, November 24

Unit 4 non-textbook readings

November 13
The Inevitability Trap - http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/11/17/inevitability-trap

A Top Political Analyst Thinks Marco Rubio Is The Leading GOP Candidate In 2016 - http://www.businessinsider.com/marco-rubio-2016-frontrunner-analyst-2014-11


November 15
Justices, 5-4, Reject Corporate Spending Limit - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

How Much Has Citizens United Changed The Political Game? http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/magazine/how-much-has-citizens-united-changed-the-political-game.html?pagewanted=all


November 17
Bush v. Gore - http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/future/landmark_bush.html

The Real Legacy of Bush v. Gore - http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2010/12/election_hangover.html


November 18
After Citizens United: Attack of the Super PACS - http://www.thenation.com/article/165733/after-citizens-united-attack-super-pacs


November 19
Iowa caucus: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/whats-a-caucus-and-why-jan-3-iowa-caucuses-are-important-in-2012/

Dan Savage in 1996 - http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/32/republican-convention?act=1

Dan Savage in 2000 - http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-vast-left-wing-conspiracy-part-ii/Content?oid=3350


November 21
Gerrymandering film: http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/gerrymandering

Florida GOP Takes Voter Suppression To A Brazen New Extreme: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/florida-gop-takes-voter-supression-to-a-brazen-new-extreme-20120530


November 22
Supreme Court Invalidates Key Part of Voting Rights Act: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/supreme-court-ruling.html?pagewanted=all

The Supreme Court Gutted The Voting Rights Act.  What Happened Next In These 8 States Will Not Shock You: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/04/republican-voting-rights-supreme-court-id


November 23

Unit 4 study guide

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1911boZH9bCZe3C1m8F_v13_tizMGzAZUsg8pJAEBZzU/pub

Net neutrality links

White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/net-neutrality

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/net-neutrality

Washington Post: http://knowmore.washingtonpost.com/2014/04/25/this-hilarious-graph-of-netflix-speeds-shows-the-importance-of-net-neutrality/

Comcast lobbying: http://consumerist.com/2014/03/11/comcast-goes-on-capitol-hill-spending-spree-in-advance-of-merger-hearings/

Gizmodo: http://gizmodo.com/ted-cruzs-net-neutrality-take-isnt-just-dumb-its-dange-1656821283

The Oatmeal: http://theoatmeal.com/blog/net_neutrality

John Oliver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpbOEoRrHyU

FCC: http://www.fcc.gov/openinternet