Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Current Event Due 5/27 (Friday)

"Know Your Senators" Mini-Project

Know Your Senators Honors Civics
Mini-Project 75 Points Spring 2011

-Visit the Washington Post’s “Vote Database”:
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/112/senate/members/

-Browse the list of the 100 current U.S. Senators. Choose any 1 senator to research. Mr. Meli must approve your selection since no two students can report on the same senator.

-The site has basic biographical information, links to Washington Post stories relating to each senator, and a detailed section on their voting record*.

*Do not choose a senator who has little—no experience, because they will not have a significant voting record (Example: Richard Blumenthal-D CT).*

-There are 2 main parts to this project
1) Basic information (25 Points)
Write a 1-2 page report on the Senator’s background. Explain where he or she came from, including education, previous employment, and previous public service, how he/she was elected (or appointed) into the Senate, re-election campaign information/plans, and where he/she claims to stand on the issues. Use the Senator’s homepage (link on http://www.senate.gov), the Washington Post profile, and news articles relating to your senator for information.

2) Voting Record (50 Points)
Write a 2-5 page report on your senator’s voting record. Use the Washington Post website (link on top of sheet) find out your senator’s “key votes.” You must explain 5 key votes from your senator. To find out about the bill, click on the link from the “key vote” section. You should also discuss the votes your senator missed (if any) and the percentage of times that your senator voted with his or her party. You should write an overall analysis of your senator’s voting record as it compares with his or her political views as portrayed to the public.

Due Date: Tuesday May 31, 2011; 10% off each class day late

Papers must be typed in 12 point font, double spaced, within the length guidelines listed above.

Papers should be stapled together with separate headings for each report. Format Below:

Part 1 (Top Left Corner of Page) Part 2 (Top Left Corner of Page)
Your Name Your Name
Senator (Last Name) Basic Information Senator (Last Name) Voting Record
May 31, 2011 May 31, 2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Homework Due 5/19

"Reining in Congress" p309 questions 1-4

Homework Due 5/18

Congress Info Sheet (2011 Section)

Monday, May 9, 2011

Homework for Week of 5/9 through 5/13

Due Tuesday 5/10: read pp.390-392; answer q1-4 on p. 392
Due Wednesday 5/11: read pp. 393-397; answer q2-5 on p. 397
Due Thursday 5/12: read pp. 399-403; answer q 1-4 on p. 403
Due Friday 5/13: Current Event

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Homework due 5/6

Read pp. 196-202
Answer questions 1-6 on p. 202

Homework due 5/5

Read pp. 164-172
Define political dictionary terms from p.164
Answer questions 1-6 on p. 172