Current Issues Projects

THE TASK

Each group has been assigned a topic which they will be asked to:
Research and gather information about the topic.
Put together a written report on the topic which will be published on our site.
Give a presentation to the class about the topic.

Due Dates- They will be between September 10 thru September 14. Each groups date is listed with their topic. They will be expected to give their presentation on this date and to turn in their written report.

Written Report- The written report will be typed and will be emailed to Mr.Massey at emassey@galesburg205.org. The report should:
Be submitted to Mr.Massey by 7:30am on the assigned date.
Be between 2-4 pages long.
Address the following:
Address the questions on the topic outline.
If it fits your topic, you are expected to provide an accurate description of both liberal-conservative or Democratic-Republican perspectives on this particular issue, topic or event.
At the end of your article- give the address of 5-8 articles on your topic.

Presentation- Your presentation is supposed to be 10-20 minutes in length. Longer does not mean better! Your presentation should include the following-
Powerpoint presentation
Short video clip or clips from the mass media which gives insight into the topic- probably not more than 5 minutes.

ASSIGNED TOPICS

(Katie, Tori, Troy)- Monday, Sept 10
Shootings
Shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin, and New York.
What are the details?
How are they similar, different?
What are the statistics about killings in Chicago?
Any pattern in victims or shooters?
Why do they think the numbers are up?
What is the history of gun control in America?
How is the Constitution used or misused by people in regards to gun control?
Do advocates feel specific changes in gun control could have prevented shootings?
What organization opposes gun control?
Does this organization carry any political power?
What do polls show about gun control?


(Jimmy, Erin, Cheyenne)-Monday, Sept 10

Who are some of the "Third Parties" today?
Green Party
What are their issues? Major purposes?
Have they ever been successful electing candidates?
Who are the major voices in this party?
In the Democratic and Republican parties- are their some particular people who would be considered "friends" of the Green Party?
If Green Party ran a Third Party candidate, who would most likely be hurt-Republicans or Democrats?
What would the Green Party point to as their major successes?

Libertarian Party
What are their issues? Major purposes?
Have they ever been successful electing candidates?
Who are the major voices in this party?
In the Democratic and Republican parties- are their some particular people who would be considered "friends" of the Libertarian Party?
If Libertarian Party ran a Third Party candidate, who would most likely be hurt-Republicans or Democrats?
What would the Libertarian Party point to as their major successes?


(Seth, Stephan, Logan, Lindsay)- Tuesday, Sept 11

Selection of Paul Ryan as VP candidate
What is his record and his stance on issues?
Some argue his voting pattern was different during Bush presidency, and now has taken a different direction- what are they taking about?
It is said his selection made both conservatives and liberals happy- how is this possible?
Some have said his selection will make the campaign more about issues now- why would this be true?
Is there any particular strategy by Romney in making this pick?
What may this selection mean for the election?


(Any, Zach, Jesse)- Tuesday, Sept 11

Scott Walker wins recall election in Wisconsin?
Who is Scott Walker?
What is a "recall" election?
Why was there a recall in Wisconsin?
What had Walker done to make some people so upset in Wisconsin?
What do the results of this election mean to America?
Does this who thing show a national trend?


(Savannah, Allison, Kelsie)-Wednesday, Sept 12

What going on with all this negative advertising?
What is the history of negative campaigning?
What went on with Jefferson and Adams?
What are other examples?
What are famous examples of negative TV ads?
Do negative ads really work?
What are examples of negative ads by Romney and Obama?
What are examples of lies or certainly misleading information in their ads?


(Sergio, Lexie, Lila, Karisa)- Wednesday, Sept 12

Issues of Voting
What is the history of major voting restrictions in America?
What are the present issues in Ohio?
What are the present issues in Pennsylvannia?
What is being argued by opposing sides in both of these states?
How do either side benefit from a decision one way or the other?
How will the conflict be resolved?


(Emily, Dani, Sami)- Thursday, Sept 13

Campaign Finance reform is an issue often brought up?
How much money have each of the candidates raised to date?
What are laws which restict amount of money a candidate can raise?
What is the argument for restricting the amount a candidate can raise?
What is the argument for allowing freedom to raise large amounts of money?
What is the history of how much candidates have raised in the past?
What are these PAC’s?
What is the argument for them and against them?
How do they get around some of the campaign finance laws?


(Riley, Paul, Nathan, Mike, Jordan)- Thursday, Sept 13

What do polls show right now?
According to national polls, how does the popular vote stand now?
What is the breakdown of who seems to support Obama and Romney?
Why do some groups support certain candidates?
What groups are each candidate seeming to target?
In terms of the electoral vote-
What seems to best case scenerio for Romney? For Obama?
What seem to be the key states- the toss ups?
What strategies will candidates use in these key states?
How do polls seem to vary?
Identify key issues in America today—
What seem to be listed as key issues by-
Faculty
Our surveys
America
Women
Others
What do polling numbers show on these key issues?