Assignments*

*(Dates are when work is DUE)

Week of November 17

Issues and controversies in the U.S.

Reading for Tuesday: America's culture wars

"Red Sex, Blue Sex" Margaret Talbot (New Yorker)

Reading for Thursday: Growing Guilded Age?

"For Richer," Paul Krugman (New York Times)

Recital Thursday: Hauss, Ch. 3 and other U.S. topics: Review Kesselman reading and economic policies.

Reading for Friday: "Competing Theories of American Government," Peter Woolley and Papa.

Reading given on Friday: "A British Lesson on Auto Bailouts," Schwartz (New York Times).

Week of November 3

The United States (Case Study One)

Reading in Hauss (Chapter 3)

• Wednesday (pgs. 49-54)
• Thursday (pgs. 55-60)
• Friday (pgs. 60-67)

Know all key terms in the readings (see list, pg. 66). Be prepared to answer "Critical Thinking" questions (pg. 66).

Week of October 27

Monday -- Recital: Fiscal Policy

Monetary policy and comparative economic dilemmas

Week of October 20

Fiscal Policy -- Monetary Policy

Thinkpiece Two: Macroeconomic Fix to Social/Political problem. Due Monday, November 3

Week of October 13

Macroeconomics, Part I: Fiscal Policy

Fiscal/Monetary Policy Study Guide Available Here

Market Failure

Friday -- Monday (October 17/20), Viewing of "Roger and Me"

Few of us have experienced a severe economic recession. Michael Moore's "Roger and Me" views recession through the lens of Flint Michigan, as the town confronts the demise of GM during the early 1990s. Throughout the film "Roger and Me," Michael Moore comments on the general state of corporate America. Be prepared to discuss the following questions (I expect that you will look-up any terms or ideas that are unfamiliar to you):

• Why is Moore looking for Roger Smith; what does he really hope to accomplish?
• What are Moore's fundamental economic values? Are they valid? Why or why not?
• What are GM's fundamental values (ala GM or Roger Smith)? Are they valid? Why or why not?
• Remember, Moore shot this film in the early 1990s, when "offshoring" was a relatively new corporate strategy. GM cites the need to do this because of global competition (globalization). What other reasons might GM have adopted this strategy?
• How has the role of unions changed over time?
• What does GM owe the union?
• Ultimately, what, if anything does GM owe the people of Flint Michigan? Why?
• In economic terms we use the concept of the multiplier effect to illustrate how business growth or decline affects the local economy. What happens when the multiplier effect is reversed? How would you describe this affect on Flint?
• Economists and sociologists often discuss the idea of a brain drain from local or rural areas to more dynamic cities and economies. In what ways does Moore's documentary illustrate the impact of the brain drain on local communities?
• Could an economic downturn like the one in Flint happen in Silicon Valley? Why or why not?
• How can you position yourself to weather recessionary times?

Week of October 29:

Student Stock Simulation/Presentations

Reading on independent booksellers vs. Borders/Barnes & Noble

Week of October 22:

Is WalMart Good for America?

Viewing and discussion of Frontline report.

Frontline Report and Materials

"Big Box Balderdash" (Paul Krugman, NYT)

Wednesday: Balance the Budget Due Wed. Oct. 14

Week of October 6

• Monday: Socialism, pgs. 1-15
• Wednsday: Socialism, pgs. 15-21
• Friday: "For Richer," Paul Krugman (NYT)

Week of September 29

• Monday: Capitalism, pgs. 22-31
• Tuesday: Capitalism, pgs. 31-42
• Wednesday: Capitalism, pgs. 42-60

Thursday--Recital: $$$ Capitalism $$$

Friday: "Ayn Rand's Literature of Capitalism"

Week of September 23

• "Capitalism" (Ebenstein, Today's Isms)
• "Socialism" (Ebenstein, Today's Isms)

Announcements

Thinkpiece 1: Democracy Due Thursday, September 25.

All Students must do Thinkpiece 1.

All essays must be submited to Turnitin.com by 4:00 p.m. on the due date to receive a grade. Essays submitted to Turnitin.com after 4:00 p.m. will receive a "0". If you are having difficulties with the Turnitin.com site or with your internate, you may email your finished Thinkpiece to me directly or hand in a hard copy before the deadline.

Information for Turnitin.com

• Period 1 APComparative Gov: 2431595
• Period 2 APComparative Gov: 2431597
• Period 3 APComparative Gov: 2431602

Obtain password in class

Current Events Links

U.S. Financial Crisis: "Cash for Trash," (Krugman)

U.S. Presidential Election: Does Emotion or Reason win elections? Check out this book, The Political Brain, by Drew Westen.

Week of September 16

Complete Democratic ideas: Fareed Zakaria and Illiberal Democracy

Begin Capitalism and Socialism:

First Recital: Thursday, September 18

• -- Review Hauss, Chapter 2; Notes on Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau
• -- Format -- Multiple Choice, short answer
• -- Be prepared to discuss a significant question that will provide greater insight about the nature of democracy.

Week of September 8

Philosophical liberalism and democratic ideas: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau

Week of September 1

Readings from Hauss, Ch. 2: "Industrialized Democracies"

Know key terms. Also, Be sure to print and bring the Study Guide for "Democracy."

• Wed, 9/3: pgs. 23 -- 29
• Thurs, 9/4: pgs. 29 -- 39
• Fri, 9/5: pgs. 39 -- 47

Week of August 25

Welcome Back

Read "Instructor and Course Approach" and Syllabus for information on class.

"Some Questions You Might Ask," Mary Oliver

"Imagine a Country," Holly Sklar

"We're Number One," Andrew Shapiro

"Comparative Politics," Chapter 1, Hauss.