Sunday, August 24, 2014

No book for GOVT 2305 - AHS2. Instead, base your 1000 word critical essay on some aspect of the 2014 election

I had a last minute addition to my fall 2014 schedule - a dual credit class at Alvin High School - and I do not have a separate book ordered for students in that class. No worries though. The 2014 midterm election is underway and will be held before the class is out. Since there's more than enough material on line about it, we can do without a book. In fact - we might just end up writing one about it. Find  a provocative topic - or question - and address it rationally and intelligently.

I want students in the class to start familiarizing themselves with the various issues associated with the election and start thinking about a possible topic. It might be wise to look ahead at the section on elections. Also consider looking through the following blog tags for past stories on this and other elections.

- 2014 elections.
- campaigns.
- campaign finance.
- elections.
- member of Congress.
- midterm elections.
- money in politics.

There are more that might apply, but this is a start. You should also look through the following to get an idea of the unique issues associated with the current election, as well as midterm elections in general.

I'll provide more specific information in forthcoming posts, and in the fourth week of class you will asked to propose a topic to me. Here's enough for now:

- Wikipedia: Midterm Elections.
- Wikipedia: United States elections, 2014.
- Politico: 2014 Elections.
- Washington Post: Election Lab 2014.
- 538: Senate Forecast.
- RCP: Election 2014.

One more thing. Since this is GOVT 2305 - and the subject is the national government - be sure to focus on the elections to national office.