Chapter 24 Assignment (Due 11/12/10)

Chapter 24 Assignment has been posted on the website and on E-portfolio.

Is will be due 11/12/10.

Link to Assignment: Chapter 24 Assignment (due 11/12/10)

Link to E-Portfolios (old interface): Link to E-Portfolios

McLaughlin Assignment 7 DUE 11/3/10

McLaughlin Assignment 7 DUE 11/3/10

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following questions in no less than 150 words:

Political advertisements are a huge part of candidates’ campaigns. These ads can be both positive (describing the qualifications and/or the accomplishments of the candidate) or negative (highlighting the mistakes or unpopular actions of the opponent). Whether an ad is positive or negative often has a significant effect on the its ability to influence voters.

Please review the following article, in which Times’ Frank Lunz describes what he has found to be the qualities that make a successful political ad:

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,2027829,00.html

Also check out one of the ads we saw on this week’s McLaughlin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Woa84xgaU (for Florida’s Kendrick Meek)

What qualities does Lunz identify as necessary for a successful political advertisement? Do you agree with his list? Why/why not? How does Meek’s advertisement measure up against Lunz’s standards? Do you think Meek’s ad is effective? Why/why not?

Bonus points: include a link to a political ad you saw on TV and thought was effective or ineffective and explain your rating.

McLaughlin Assignment 6 DUE 10/28/10

McLaughlin Assignment 6 DUE 10/28/10

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following questions in no less than 150 words:

What to do about illegal immigration is one of the most important and controversial political issues of our time. According to a recent Pew Hispanic Center Report, there are 11.1 million illegal immigrants living in the US as of 2009 (3.4% of the US population if we assume the US population is 310 million). In April of this year, the passing of an Arizona law has brought the issue to national attention yet again. As described in an article by the Brooking's Institution, the Arizona law:

"makes it a state crime to be in the United States illegally and requires police to ask people during arrests and routine stops to verify their residency. If they are unable to prove their legal right to be in the United States, they will be detained and deported."

The article goes on to cite national surveys that show 58% of Americans are in favor of the Arizona law, yet 57% are in favor of "a program giving ILLEGAL immigrants now living in the United States the right to live here LEGALLY if they pay a fine and meet other requirements." Please review the following two articles yourself and answer the questions that follow:

http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0630_immigration_singer.aspx

http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0901_immigration_west.aspx

Do you agree with the Arizona Immigration Law? Why/Why Not? Would you be opposed or in favor of a program giving illegal immigrants now living in the United States the right to live here legally if they pay a fine and meet other requirements? Why?

Additionally, if you support such a program: what do you think the requirements and or fines should be? If you oppose such a program: what do you think should be done with the 11.1 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States?

Chapter 4 Assignment (due 10/27/10)

Chapter 4 Assignment has been posted on the website and on E-portfolio.

Is will be due 10/27.

Link to Assignment: Chapter 4 Assignment (due 10/27/10)

Link to E-Portfolios (old interface): Link to E-Portfolios

McLaughlin Assignment 5 DUE 10/21/10

McLaughlin Assignment 5 DUE 10/21/10

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following questions in no less than 150 words:

In January of 2010 the US Supreme court ruled that the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002, the US federal law that regulates the financing of political campaigns, was in violation of corporations' and unions' First Amendment rights. Under the January 2010 ruling, corporations and unions are no longer barred from promoting the election of one candidate over another candidate. Read over the following article which examines the current impacts of the Supreme Court's decision (particularly page 3): http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43515.html

In your opinion, should there be limits on how much corporations and unions can contribute to candidates' campaigns? Why or why not? Perhaps more importantly, do you think corporations (or even citizens) should be allowed to contribute large sums to candidates' campaigns anonymously? Why or Why not?

Chapter 3 Assignment (Due 10/14)

Chapter 3 Assignment has been posted on the website and on E-portfolio.

Is will be due 10/14.

Link to Assignment: Chapter 3 Assignment (due 10/14)

Link to E-Portfolios (old interface): Link to E-Portfolios

McLaughlin Assignment 4 DUE 10/6/10

McLaughlin Assignment 4 DUE 10/6/10

Based on our discussions in class and the resources listed, respond to the following set of questions in no less than 150 words:

The Republican party recently unveiled a “Pledge to America” outlining what policies they will follow should they gain a majority in the House of Representatives and/or the Senate. Review the outline of the pledge or full pledge and answer the questions that follow:

Summary: http://pledge.gop.gov/resources/library/documents/solutions/pledge-pocket-card.pdf

Full Pledge: http://pledge.gop.gov/resources/library/documents/pledge/a-pledge-to-america.pdf

What is your opinion of the Republican “Pledge”? What policies do you agree with/support? Why? Which policies do you disagree with/do not support? Why? If you were (or will be) a voter in the November elections, does this pledge make you less likely or more likely to vote Republican? Why?