Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wednesday, September 3

Today I introduced the class, handing out course outlines. Students were paired up to work on a "create your own country" assignment (below). They were also given a readings list for this unit on Politics (also below) and told to read pages 1 to 12 in their "Ideologies" textbook.
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ASSIGNMENT ONE: BUILDING A COUNTRY FROM SCRATCH
Your Country: __________________________________________
Your Names: __________________________________________

Population: __________________________________________
Average Age: __________________________________________
Types of Resources: __________________________________________
__________________________________________
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Problems already identified that must be addressed:
High unemployment
Weakened infrastructure (the large-scale public systems, services, and facilities of a country or region that are necessary for economic activity, including power and water supplies, public transportation, telecommunications, roads, and schools).
Anarchy (a situation in which there is a total lack of organization or control) leading to violence
Isolationist mentality which has resulted in minimal trade with the rest of the world
High illiteracy rates
High infant mortality rates
` Malnutrition

Questions you need to answer about your country:

· Give an overview on the laws of your land (at least 15 “laws”) and reasons for them (hint: look at the list above and figure out what you need to worry about…)
· How are they enforced?
· Who decides on the penalties for breaking them?
· Who pays for education
· Who decides what is to be/not be taught?
· Who owns the resources?
· How are goods distributed?
· How are the poor, elderly or inform cared for?
· How does the government pay for itself?
· What about international relationships (will you have trade? Who decides, how is it conducted and for what purpose)?
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Social Studies 30
Topic A – Political and Economic Systems, Theme I: Democracy
Student Outline


INTRODUCTION
Whether an individual is politically active and involved, or cares little for things political, he or she is affected in many ways by the decisions of politicians and governments. Throughout history and in the present day, there have been and there are many types of political systems. In general, political systems can be grouped or are grouped as either democratic or authoritarian. In this section of Topic A, you will be introduced to the topic of political and economic systems, and will begin your study by examining democratic systems of government.

As I already stated, this course requires a lot of independent, but essential, reading. In addition to this, there are also other readings which can be enriching. While I will touch on these, it will be up to you to determine whether or not you wish to read them.

All reading are taken from Ideologies.

Essential Readings (check them off once you have read them)

Chapter 1 (pp. 1 to 12) ________________
Chapter 2 (pp. 13 to 30) ________________
Chapter 3 (pp. 31 to 53) ________________
Case Study 1 (pp. 54 to 72) ________________
Case Study 4 (pp. 103 to 118) ________________
Case Study 5 (pp. 119 to 135) ________________

Enrichment Readings (check them off once you have read them)

Case Study 2 (pp. 73 to 85) ________________
Case Study 3 (pp. 86 to 102) ________________
Case Study 6 (pp 136 to 155) ________________

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