Gerrymandering 101

Ever wonder why the CT 5th Distict includes Meriden, New Britain, and Kent?  OK, probably not.  However, the answer lies in the manner in which politicians draw electoral districts after every census.  So why is this a big deal?  If you are one of the 12% who aprove of the job Congress is doing, maybe it's not.  Gerrymandering is tried and true political artform that has been going on since the dawn of American politics.  

Blog Response due Friday 7:30 am.

(How) Should states and or the federal government or courts address the issue of gerrymandering?  Be sure to fully explain your response.  

The Campaign Project

Below are the links you will need throughout the exercise.

The Campaign Trail Project
Planning Sheets
Rubrics

Be sure to check in often as I will be updating due dates, etc.

Important Due Dates:
Party Platform (Print Copy):  12/2 in class              
Press Conference and Propaganda: 12/8Media Event: 12/12 (8), 12/13 (6)                 
In-­Class Debate:  12/14

Newspaper: 12/16
Final Speech: 12/20
Final Website: 12/23 (Includes all elements, including TV commercial, platform, propaganda, news, etc.)

The Soap Box

We are going to establish our own little "Speakers Corner" where each of you will be required at some point to speak, pontificate, bloviate or otherwise hold the podium for the proscribed period of time, followed by a period where your classmates may challenge your ideas, assertions, etc. The rules are as follows:
1) You may speak on any political issue you feel strongly about, so long as your speech does not violate school rules, attack an individual, harm or belittle your peers, etc.
2) You may not take a position previously argued.
3) You must speak uninterupted for 2 full minutes. Failure to do so will result in losing credit and having to repeat the process.
4) Debate may continue for an additional 8 minutes for a total of 10 minutes per speaker. We will typically schedule 4-5 speakers per Soap Box Day.