This week please use the blog to review for the exam. This will be the only blog until the exam on Friday 4/9. Feel free to post general or specific questions or thoughts and then respond to each others posts. You do not need to write anything more than brief blog entries but I strongly encourage you to check into the blog regularly to look for questions and to help share ideas to review for the exam. The more entries that each of you adds the better for everyone. Make sure to review other entries so that you have correct concepts before the exam.
A couple of hints that I mentioned in class:
1. Use the review sheet (but don't psych yourself out) it is supposed to help you.
2. Make sure that you have core concepts for each of the sections down, this about how each are connected in the broader American political system, as you begin to connect those large concepts work to include other ideas and identifications connected to those core ideas.
3. Try to connect each area to one another (i.e. Political Parties to Interest Groups).
4. Make sure to review readings and class notes.
Good luck to all!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
For Class on 3/26: Healthcare Reform
On Tuesday Barack Obama signed the healthcare reform bill into law. Presidents for nearly a century have been working toward improving our healthcare system and President Obama and the vast majority of Democrats who voted for the bill feel that they have finally accomplished what many have tried and failed at. Many Americans and all Republicans in Congress opposed this bill and are worried about its costs and the expanding role of government in our lives. Regardless of how you feel about healthcare reform, this law is, by most accounts, the most sweeping law regarding domestic policy, and the relationship between the American public and the federal government, passed in this country since the 1960s. I would like to know what you think.
First take a look at an overview of the history of healthcare reform efforts.
Then it will help to take a look at some of the highlights of the new law (or a more detailed description here) and how it is likely to affect you here or here.
From there I would simply like to know your response: Do you support this new law or oppose it? Was this an example of the true value of our political system or the true danger of it?
Friday, March 5, 2010
For Class on 3/19: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Social Movements (Double Blog Opportunity)
Political parties, Interest Groups and social movements each try to shape the nature of political and power in America. We want to take a look at all three in this blog.
Political Parties have changed dramatically since the development of the Federalist party shortly following the ratification of the Constitution. While third parties have existed for most of American history our political system has been primarily dominated by two parties at a time creating the "two party system." Today's Democrats and Republicans (GOP) are very different from earlier forms and their goals and make up changes based on their political and electoral goals and the changing times. Take a look at each national party website to get a sense of how they are presenting themselves today.
Republican Party Webpage
Democratic Party Webpage
Interest groups come in all shapes and sizes. They may organize around particular groups of people, businesses or institutions, or groups organized around supporting certain issues. These groups attempt to influence the government by utilizing most of the forms of political participation that we discussed earlier in the semester. Just to get a sense of some examples of interest groups which are very active in American Politics today that a look at these sites (check out the "about us" sections if you aren't familiar with these organizations):
AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons)
NRA (National Rifle Association)
Moveon.org
The Christian Coalition
The Sierra Club
Social movements share some similarities with interest groups, and political parties for that matter, but are fundamentally different as described at the beginning of the chapter you read for class. Social movements are broad groups of people who act, often outside of the traditional political channels to affect some society wide change.
Examples include the civil rights movement, women’s rights movement, Christian conservative movement and countless labor movements and strikes throughout US history.
As you evaluate the various methods of political involvement and different strategies to influence American politics, what do you think is the most effective strategy: political parties, interest groups or social movements? Why?
Keep in mind you can get two blog credits if you add more than one thoughtful comment and create a conversation with your classmates online.
Political Parties have changed dramatically since the development of the Federalist party shortly following the ratification of the Constitution. While third parties have existed for most of American history our political system has been primarily dominated by two parties at a time creating the "two party system." Today's Democrats and Republicans (GOP) are very different from earlier forms and their goals and make up changes based on their political and electoral goals and the changing times. Take a look at each national party website to get a sense of how they are presenting themselves today.
Republican Party Webpage
Democratic Party Webpage
Interest groups come in all shapes and sizes. They may organize around particular groups of people, businesses or institutions, or groups organized around supporting certain issues. These groups attempt to influence the government by utilizing most of the forms of political participation that we discussed earlier in the semester. Just to get a sense of some examples of interest groups which are very active in American Politics today that a look at these sites (check out the "about us" sections if you aren't familiar with these organizations):
AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons)
NRA (National Rifle Association)
Moveon.org
The Christian Coalition
The Sierra Club
Social movements share some similarities with interest groups, and political parties for that matter, but are fundamentally different as described at the beginning of the chapter you read for class. Social movements are broad groups of people who act, often outside of the traditional political channels to affect some society wide change.
Examples include the civil rights movement, women’s rights movement, Christian conservative movement and countless labor movements and strikes throughout US history.
As you evaluate the various methods of political involvement and different strategies to influence American politics, what do you think is the most effective strategy: political parties, interest groups or social movements? Why?
Keep in mind you can get two blog credits if you add more than one thoughtful comment and create a conversation with your classmates online.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)