Combating terrorism has entailed restrictions on civil liberties

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Select one topic for you to develop and remember to use the simulation to assist in applying the concepts and ideas expressed in the chapters.

  • Chapter 1: Combating terrorism has entailed restrictions on civil liberties. How can we reconcile civil liberty and national security? Are we better off opting for more liberty or more security? Are the two goals mutually exclusive? Have Americans become less supportive of the limitations on liberty put into place after the terror attacks in 2001, or do they still perceive that it makes sense to give up some liberties in order to feel more secure?
  • Chapter 3: Consider the growing trend of marijuana legalization in some states, despite its unlawfulness at the federal level. Is it fair to those incarcerated on marijuana charges in states that currently outlaw the drug? When does federalism give citizens more protection, and when does it lead to potential instability? Would the example of the legalization of recreational marijuana be an example of the states as “laboratories of democracy”?
  • Chapter 4: How much free speech should be allowed in the United States? Consider controversial speakers on campus: what is the duty of a college to provide a platform for different viewpoints? What is the duty of a college to provide for the safety of its students? Is the best way to counter controversial or even hate speech be more speech? Or does allow such speech lead to greater danger, like violence?
    Minimum 200+

Investigate and appraise the core ideas of each subfield of Political Science

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SOCIAL IMPACT

 

According to the course description. “this course will focus on several key global challenges which include economic crisis, environmental decline and sustainability, food security, migration, population distribution, poverty, war, and urbanization.” In this module, under the heading “Social Impact” videos are embedded that include many of those issues and other topics. In this module the class will learn about environmental decline and sustainability, food security, migration, poverty, and population, along with issues dealing with global equal rights and medical care. The class will also study the global impact of the death of George Floyd and the protests in the United States and around the world.

 

COURSE SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES:

· Identify, discuss and evaluate major historical events that have had an impact on and continue to shape civic engagement and political experiences

· Investigate and appraise the core ideas of each subfield of Political Science

· Identify and examine the influences of various disciplines – in particular history, economics, philosophy, environmental studies, psychology and sociology – on the study of politics and government, and vice versa

· Describe and discuss the roles and functions of principal institutions of governance such as the executive, legislature, judiciary and bureaucracy in various cultural and national contexts

· Evaluate the interplay between government, governance and key political or social issues in cultural and national contexts over time

· Describe and illustrate the various national, regional and global political systems around the world and the current principal policy issues faced by them

· Compare and contrast the roles and functions of inter- and non-governmental organizations in regional and global relations with respect to current principal policy issues

· Analyze and apply the major political theories and ideologies that have influenced political thought, structures and practices to contemporary political issues and situations.

VIDEOS

· Protests against police brutality spread beyond the U.S. – https://youtu.be/K–FFnqweOo

· Protesters gather internationally to show solidarity with George Floyd – https://youtu.be/_uQA4Drz8uY

· The “bottom billion” – Paul Collier – https://youtu.be/4k1JlhniQFI

· The 5 Principles of Social Impact | Marian Spier TEDx Erasmus University Rotterdam – https://youtu.be/vsQJ2Y_F0ZY

· Sustainability explained (explained® explainer video) – https://youtu.be/_5r4loXPyx8

· What Is Sustainability? – https://youtu.be/rmQby7adocM

· Environmental Degradation and Economic Growth – https://youtu.be/oMDN07Z79h8

· Is Economic GROWTH Compatible with the ENVIRONMENT?- Visual Politik EN – https://youtu.be/-QgZ5mUgZlI

· 25 Sobering Statistics On Global Poverty That Might Upset You – https://youtu.be/zwIEZDMDBo4

· Which Are the Poorest Countries in the World? – https://youtu.be/Lf19b9u4rA0

· Human Population Through Time – https://youtu.be/PUwmA3Q0_OE

· This Is Why People Migrate – https://youtu.be/sQHHNuc-1uA

· Migration – Why do people migrate? – https://youtu.be/54xM8VlgP7s

· International Women’s Day 2019 campaign Theme | History & Facts – https://youtu.be/Pp7Uk09leU0

· Women shut down streets of Spain on International Women’s Day – https://youtu.be/Gkx57yJWeic

· Our Thirsty World | National Geographic – https://youtu.be/2pXuAw1bSQo

· The World’s Largest Desalination Plant, Magtaa (Algeria) – https://youtu.be/pHP8i4Yuahk

· The World’s First Malaria Vaccine Gets a Shot in Africa | Sci Show News – https://youtu.be/qq9UtvtFpPA

· Hacking hunger: How to survive in a food desert – https://youtu.be/_xlFruNrZE0

· What is A Food Desert? – https://youtu.be/wAu8Noo8CxA

Why is sociological representation important?

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Select one topic for you to develop and remember to use the simulation to assist in applying the concepts and ideas expressed in the chapters.

  • Chapter 9: Why is sociological representation important? If congressional representatives have racial, religious, or educational backgrounds similar to their constituents, are they better representatives? Why or why not?
  • Chapter 10: Most Americans in the 1930s and 1940s did not know that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was severely handicapped from polio and had to use a wheelchair, just as many in the 1960s did not know that John F. Kennedy had extramarital affairs while in the White House. Journalists at the time censored themselves due to respect for the office and the man. Which is better: not knowing very much or knowing a lot about the personal lives of presidents? Does what happens in a politician’s life affect his or her ability to govern? Have our most effective presidents also been the most exemplary? Explain.
  • Chapter 11: As governments downsize, they often contract with private companies to perform what was once considered to be the traditional work of government. What are the advantages and disadvantages of privatizing jails, public schools, military aircraft maintenance, state welfare agencies, and state employment agencies?

Teaching Tip You must post three responses (200+ words minimum for each post). Students must post a minimum of three responses. Please see the syllabus for additional information on the requirements for discussion forums.

Skowronek and Political Time — Placing Presidents in Relation to Governing Regimes

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Discussion 3: Skowronek and Political Time — Placing Presidents in Relation to Governing Regimes

Skowronek argues that presidents face different leadership situations as they play specific roles in establishing or trying to maintain a political regime (political coalition).  Please write a post exploring the nature of Skowronek’s argument and considering how it potentially helps us to understand the presidency. Your answer should consider some specific insights from the readings.

2. How does Skowronek’s approach potentially complicate the contrast between a traditional presidency and a modern presidency?

4. How might Skowronek’s perspective help us to think about the Obama and/or Trump Administrations (not addressed in the reading)?

*Please make sure to cite page numbers.