Lesson 16
Taxes, Political Parties and Civility in the democratic process
We're going to cover a few different topics today: Taxes, Political Parties, and Civility.
To learn about TAXES and Political Parties I want you to watch this slide show I made:
The cartoon above is a political cartoon. The purpose of political cartoons is to give political opinions through visual means. So if you were angry about a law that has just been passed you can draw a picture about your opinion and voila you have a political cartoon. You'll be finding and analyzing political cartoons in the last lesson of this course, so if you don't really understand them take a look at this explanation. The cartoon above is an easy one to interpret. It suggests that Civility is destroyed by the 'wrecking ball of politics'. As if you can't be civil when you're having a discussion about politics. Do you think this is true?
Listen to a podcast: "Is Civility Important?" by Yale Law Professor Stephen L. Carter.
While you are listening to the podcast, fill out the questions in this document:
While you are listening to the podcast, fill out the questions in this document:
podcast_notes.odt | |
File Size: | 6 kb |
File Type: | odt |
If you cannot access the podcast.... try this video: https://vimeo.com/20256014
It's by the same guy on the same topic but he doesn't use the same words. So watch the video and instead of doing the worksheet make a list of points Stephen L. Carter makes. You should have at least 15 points.
It's by the same guy on the same topic but he doesn't use the same words. So watch the video and instead of doing the worksheet make a list of points Stephen L. Carter makes. You should have at least 15 points.
You'll turn these questions in at the end of the lesson, but you'll add to your document, so don't turn it in yet....
Hopefully you found the Podcast interesting. Stephen L. Carter has some interesting ideas on how to be more civil with each other when we're talking about politics.
He has some good points about listening and working together. So what makes a good political argument?
#1 Let's take Stephen Carter's advice and put be civil on the list
#2 Facts and Logic make a powerful argument
#3 Emotional Appeal not all arguments will have this, but if you can appeal to someone's emotions you can usually get them to see your point of view
#4 This one is important and you've probably heard to do this when you're writing persuasive essays in English class: acknowledge the opposite point of view.
Why is this important? Well if you acknowledge the opposite point of view it proves that you have researched the entire issue and not just your side of the issue. It proves that you are willing to listen to someone else's point of view--and your audience will be more likely to listen to your view. And as Carter would say it's the CIVIL thing to do.
When you're arguing there are a lot of things you can do to make your argument more convincing. BODY LANGUAGE and the WAY YOU SAY THINGS have a lot to do with how people receive what you're saying. Have you ever watched a presidential debate? Have you ever watched a SNL spoof of a presidential debate? Not only the things they say but the way they are said in a presidential debate influence how people view that candidate. Saturday Night Live takes political debates and points out flaws in the politician's arguments. And their spoofs have a lot of influence on how people view political candidates.... take a look:
Hopefully you found the Podcast interesting. Stephen L. Carter has some interesting ideas on how to be more civil with each other when we're talking about politics.
He has some good points about listening and working together. So what makes a good political argument?
#1 Let's take Stephen Carter's advice and put be civil on the list
#2 Facts and Logic make a powerful argument
#3 Emotional Appeal not all arguments will have this, but if you can appeal to someone's emotions you can usually get them to see your point of view
#4 This one is important and you've probably heard to do this when you're writing persuasive essays in English class: acknowledge the opposite point of view.
Why is this important? Well if you acknowledge the opposite point of view it proves that you have researched the entire issue and not just your side of the issue. It proves that you are willing to listen to someone else's point of view--and your audience will be more likely to listen to your view. And as Carter would say it's the CIVIL thing to do.
When you're arguing there are a lot of things you can do to make your argument more convincing. BODY LANGUAGE and the WAY YOU SAY THINGS have a lot to do with how people receive what you're saying. Have you ever watched a presidential debate? Have you ever watched a SNL spoof of a presidential debate? Not only the things they say but the way they are said in a presidential debate influence how people view that candidate. Saturday Night Live takes political debates and points out flaws in the politician's arguments. And their spoofs have a lot of influence on how people view political candidates.... take a look:
The first presidential debate that was televised was in 1960 and was between Kennedy and Nixon. People who listened to the debate on the radio thought that Richard Nixon beat Kennedy... but people who watched the debate on TV thought that John F. Kennedy smashed Nixon. They said that on TV Nixon looked tired and old, while Kennedy looked young and enthusiastic.
Kennedy ended up winning the election. The way you present your argument has a lot to do with how you present it. As students in the performing arts you should know this. When you're performing, your body language and confidence sets the mood for your performance, just like in a political debate.
Now since this is an online version of the Government class, I can't have you present an issue verbally... but I can have you write about an issue.
At the bottom of the page where you took your notes on the PODCAST you listened to, I want you to write an argument. It should be at least a paragraph. I want you to pick a stance on the issue of Capital Punishment.
If you don't have an opinion, or you need ideas behind your argument- take a look at these websites:
Kennedy ended up winning the election. The way you present your argument has a lot to do with how you present it. As students in the performing arts you should know this. When you're performing, your body language and confidence sets the mood for your performance, just like in a political debate.
Now since this is an online version of the Government class, I can't have you present an issue verbally... but I can have you write about an issue.
At the bottom of the page where you took your notes on the PODCAST you listened to, I want you to write an argument. It should be at least a paragraph. I want you to pick a stance on the issue of Capital Punishment.
If you don't have an opinion, or you need ideas behind your argument- take a look at these websites:
Type your argument at the bottom of the 'Podcast Notes' document. Make sure you :
1- Acknowledge the other point of view
2- Provide 3 reasons WHY you think what you think
3- BE CIVIL in your argument
When you're done, answer the question in the submission box and upload your document.
1- Acknowledge the other point of view
2- Provide 3 reasons WHY you think what you think
3- BE CIVIL in your argument
When you're done, answer the question in the submission box and upload your document.
Standard 4: Objective 1 C & E and
Objective 2A and
Objective 3 A & B
Standard 1: Objective 3 E
Objective 2A and
Objective 3 A & B
Standard 1: Objective 3 E