Let's turn our attention this week to current US politics and what the budget negotiations in Washington, D.C. mean for us. If the Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Democrats in the Senate (and President Obama) fail to agree on a budget for the second half of this year, the government will "shut down". This has actually happended several times, one of which was very politically important. To catch you up on the current situation I'd like you to read the article from the Christian Science Monitor located at the link http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0223/If-a-government-shutdown-occurs-what-actually-happens .
Looking back to 1995, the Republican Party had just won massive victories in the midterm elections, taking control of the House of Representatives and the Senate while the Democrats controlled the White House(sounds familiar, right?). Like today, the two sides immediately clashed over spending. The Republicans wanted to cut spending by reducing government programs in order to reduce the deficit (government debt) and lower taxes. Democrats argued that the government spending was necessary and that people would suffer if the programs were eliminated. The Republicans were led by Newt Gingrich who was Speaker of the House of Representatives and Bob Dole, the minority leader of the Senate. Of course, Bill Clinton was President
A very short, clear summary of the events can be found at the link http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Federal_government_shutdown_of_1995 . To read the transcript of a PBS newscast during the dramatic negotiations, go to the link http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/clinton/etc/11131995.html . The newscast is rather long, but if you read a some of it you'll get a sense of the tension surrounding the political fight in Washington.
Answer the following questions: How important is compromise in the political system? If we send elected officials to Washington to represent our beliefs and values, when is it appropriate for them to concede some of those beliefs in order to meet the other side in the middle? What is your opinion of the current budget battle? Are there differences between now and 1995? (Need I remind you that rude or disrespectful posts will be deleted, meaning that you will receive no credit for the assignment?).
The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as all those that preceded it. Have a good week!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Homework 8, Due February 25, 2011
As we’ve been studying the French Revolution and the individuals who played key roles in its beginning and its outcome, it is important to remember that it is ideas which are the great force that moves the course of history. God’s Word sets forth truth, yet humanity seems bent on finding its own way. For generations an idea proclaimed to be truth will create a political, social, and economic status quo, only to have another idea, usually its opposite, sweep it away.
Take recent theories on parenting, for instance. The generation that survived the Great Depression raised their children strictly, insisting on hard work, stern discipline, and thrift. The children came through World War II and experienced a fantastic economy in their early adulthood. The result is that they raised their children in a manner that was completely opposite to their own Spartan childhoods – they raised the Baby Boomer generation, which gave us the hippie movement and Jerry Garcia.
In like manner, the Enlightenment was a rejection of the conservatism and religious effects of the Reformation. Your assignment this week is to read about the Enlightenment and its chief pupil, Napoleon Bonaparte. Read the essay about the Enlightenment at http://www.mrdowling.com/705-enlightenment.html . On the same page (just an inch or so under the head line) you’ll see a link to an essay about the life of Napoleon. Read them both and answer these questions: How did the Enlightenment gain such popularity with Europeans? How did the ideas of the Enlightenment shape Napoleon? How much impact does the Enlightenment have on today’s society? (Give examples).
Remember the requirements of these assignments and make every effort to complete your work on time.
Take recent theories on parenting, for instance. The generation that survived the Great Depression raised their children strictly, insisting on hard work, stern discipline, and thrift. The children came through World War II and experienced a fantastic economy in their early adulthood. The result is that they raised their children in a manner that was completely opposite to their own Spartan childhoods – they raised the Baby Boomer generation, which gave us the hippie movement and Jerry Garcia.
In like manner, the Enlightenment was a rejection of the conservatism and religious effects of the Reformation. Your assignment this week is to read about the Enlightenment and its chief pupil, Napoleon Bonaparte. Read the essay about the Enlightenment at http://www.mrdowling.com/705-enlightenment.html . On the same page (just an inch or so under the head line) you’ll see a link to an essay about the life of Napoleon. Read them both and answer these questions: How did the Enlightenment gain such popularity with Europeans? How did the ideas of the Enlightenment shape Napoleon? How much impact does the Enlightenment have on today’s society? (Give examples).
Remember the requirements of these assignments and make every effort to complete your work on time.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Homework 7, Due February 18, 2011
This month has been designated "Black History Month" and in this week's assignment we will investigate some of the interesting facts about African-Americans in US history. When I was in school (not too long ago, I'd like to point out), especially in younger grades, the history of black Americans was largely overlooked in many textbooks. For instance, slavery was hardly mentioned in chapters dealing with life in the early years of the US. Today historians are quick to point out that in order to understand the past we must learn about the lives of all parts of historical society - the rich and poor, the notable individuals as well as those who lived in obscurity. This assignment is meant to give you an opportunity to research some of the important contributions made by African-Americans and help you better understand the complicated history of the US.
Start by going to the link http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/teachers.html . Under the tab labelled "National Archives" choose a lesson to read and review. Summarize your findings IN YOUR OWN WORDS and explain what can be understood about the history of the US from those documents.
I hope you enjoy this assignment. The documents are made available by the US government's Library of Congress. Remember to meet the requirements of all history assignments.
Start by going to the link http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/teachers.html . Under the tab labelled "National Archives" choose a lesson to read and review. Summarize your findings IN YOUR OWN WORDS and explain what can be understood about the history of the US from those documents.
I hope you enjoy this assignment. The documents are made available by the US government's Library of Congress. Remember to meet the requirements of all history assignments.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Homework 6, Due February 11, 2011
As I sit here ignoring the Super Bowl, it occurs to me that it might be fun for you to do some research about the history of sports franchises in the US. So here's your assignment: research and report the history of a current day professional sports team of your choice. When was the team founded? What major changes have taken place since the team's inception? What have been the highlights of the franchise's history, and who stands out as the biggest star/stars? Hmm, and two bonus points on the next test if you let me know privately which major league baseball team used to take spring training in Kentucky!
Some of today's teams have been around for more than one hundred years but have seen notable changes. For instance, did you know that the Atlanta Braves were once called the Boston Beaneaters? Or that the New York Yankees were once known as the Baltimore Orioles? Or that the LA Dodgers were originally known as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers? (That name actually makes sense, though, unlike another name they used for nearly a decade - the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, which I guess you could think of as "the unsuccessful dodgers"...).
A good place to start researching Major Leage Baseball teams would be http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teammenu.shtml . If you aren't interested in baseball, how about football? Did you know that the oldest professional football team is the Arizona Cardinals - who began in 1898 as the Racine Street Cardinals? They also won the first National Football League championship in 1925 - against the Pottsville Maroons. You can start looking for information at the link http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_team_history.html . Professional basketball hasn't been around as long but you can start looking for information at http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/basketball/nba/nbahistory.htm .
In addition to discussing the team's history, please share your opinion about why people are such sports fans. Are you a sports fan? Why or why not? Happy hunting! Remember that you must meet all homework requirements - and that NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR PLAGIARIZED WORK!
Some of today's teams have been around for more than one hundred years but have seen notable changes. For instance, did you know that the Atlanta Braves were once called the Boston Beaneaters? Or that the New York Yankees were once known as the Baltimore Orioles? Or that the LA Dodgers were originally known as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers? (That name actually makes sense, though, unlike another name they used for nearly a decade - the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, which I guess you could think of as "the unsuccessful dodgers"...).
A good place to start researching Major Leage Baseball teams would be http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teammenu.shtml . If you aren't interested in baseball, how about football? Did you know that the oldest professional football team is the Arizona Cardinals - who began in 1898 as the Racine Street Cardinals? They also won the first National Football League championship in 1925 - against the Pottsville Maroons. You can start looking for information at the link http://www.nflteamhistory.com/nfl_team_history.html . Professional basketball hasn't been around as long but you can start looking for information at http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/basketball/nba/nbahistory.htm .
In addition to discussing the team's history, please share your opinion about why people are such sports fans. Are you a sports fan? Why or why not? Happy hunting! Remember that you must meet all homework requirements - and that NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR PLAGIARIZED WORK!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Homework 5, Due February 4, 2011
Here's hoping for a complete week of school! The winter weather has certainly disrupted the semester so far, but here we are at the midpoint with only a few weeks left to shore up your grades. Although this is Spirit Week (go Cougars!) please be prepared for an energetic and rigorous work week!
In light of the amazing uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt over the last week I feel that it is appropriate to step away from our focus period and take a look at world events. You might be surprised that the US is so involved in the Egyptian crisis, but the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been a close supporter of America over the last 30 years and has kept peace with Israel (Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel during the 1980s). Unfortunately there is ample evidence to suggest that President Mubarak has limited the rights of Egyptians (hundreds are arrested and tortured on a weekly basis, accused of minor crimes) and has allowed an economy to develop that has made a very small minority extremely wealthy (think billionaires) while many live in terrible poverty (less than $2 a day).
The US provides Egypt with about $2.5 billion a year, much of it in military aid (if you've been watching the events on the news, you've seen the tear gas and fighter jets - all of which were produced in the US and paid for by US tax money...yours!). Why would the US government provide such support? Because Egypt is a loyal ally that a) has loads of oil; b) controls the Suez Canal (through which comes much of the oil that Americans use); and c) is NOT a radical Muslim regime that threatens to attack Israel.
Of course we hope that what comes out of the protests is a "peaceful transition" to democratic government with greater freedom and economic opportunity for its citizens. However, in 1979 we witnessed a very similar chain of events in Iran. It might surprise you to know that Iran was a very close ally of the US during the time it was ruled by the "Shah", but many people, especially young radical Muslims, were unhappy with his rule and forced the Shah to flee the country. It happened so quickly that many American embassy workers were unable to get out of the country. Most of those US citizens spent the next 15 months as hostages while President Jimmy Carter unsuccessfully to free them. The hostages were finally released on the very day the President Ronald Reagan took office, but I'll comment on that in a moment.
Your homework this week is to research the Iran Hostage Crisis on the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/middle_east_iran_hostage_crisis/html/1.stm . As you examine the photos and read the summary I want you to consider the possibility that a similar situation could occur in Egypt and answer the following questions: How should the US react to these events? If you were speaking for the President, what would you tell the Egyptian citizens? Considering Iran, what should the US have done to free the hostages? Should the US military have invaded, given the dangers of starting an all-out war and maybe causing the execution of the hostages?
I will make a couple of observations: first, there are those that suspect that Reagan and his team had a secret deal with the Iranians to keep the hostages in captivity until he became president. There is absolutely no evidence to prove this but after Carter worked for their release for more than a year it's embarrassing to some that Reagan gets the credit. Of course, during the election Reagan had hinted that he would do whatever it took to get the hostages out, and it's likely the Iranians feared an immediate attack.
Second, of special significance to us is that one of the hostages, Terry Waite, is now a professor at UK in the department of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs. He is a recognized expert in world politics and is on major news networks nearly every week informing Americans about current events.
The requirements of this assignment are exactly the same as those that preceded it. Have a good week!
In light of the amazing uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt over the last week I feel that it is appropriate to step away from our focus period and take a look at world events. You might be surprised that the US is so involved in the Egyptian crisis, but the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been a close supporter of America over the last 30 years and has kept peace with Israel (Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel during the 1980s). Unfortunately there is ample evidence to suggest that President Mubarak has limited the rights of Egyptians (hundreds are arrested and tortured on a weekly basis, accused of minor crimes) and has allowed an economy to develop that has made a very small minority extremely wealthy (think billionaires) while many live in terrible poverty (less than $2 a day).
The US provides Egypt with about $2.5 billion a year, much of it in military aid (if you've been watching the events on the news, you've seen the tear gas and fighter jets - all of which were produced in the US and paid for by US tax money...yours!). Why would the US government provide such support? Because Egypt is a loyal ally that a) has loads of oil; b) controls the Suez Canal (through which comes much of the oil that Americans use); and c) is NOT a radical Muslim regime that threatens to attack Israel.
Of course we hope that what comes out of the protests is a "peaceful transition" to democratic government with greater freedom and economic opportunity for its citizens. However, in 1979 we witnessed a very similar chain of events in Iran. It might surprise you to know that Iran was a very close ally of the US during the time it was ruled by the "Shah", but many people, especially young radical Muslims, were unhappy with his rule and forced the Shah to flee the country. It happened so quickly that many American embassy workers were unable to get out of the country. Most of those US citizens spent the next 15 months as hostages while President Jimmy Carter unsuccessfully to free them. The hostages were finally released on the very day the President Ronald Reagan took office, but I'll comment on that in a moment.
Your homework this week is to research the Iran Hostage Crisis on the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/middle_east_iran_hostage_crisis/html/1.stm . As you examine the photos and read the summary I want you to consider the possibility that a similar situation could occur in Egypt and answer the following questions: How should the US react to these events? If you were speaking for the President, what would you tell the Egyptian citizens? Considering Iran, what should the US have done to free the hostages? Should the US military have invaded, given the dangers of starting an all-out war and maybe causing the execution of the hostages?
I will make a couple of observations: first, there are those that suspect that Reagan and his team had a secret deal with the Iranians to keep the hostages in captivity until he became president. There is absolutely no evidence to prove this but after Carter worked for their release for more than a year it's embarrassing to some that Reagan gets the credit. Of course, during the election Reagan had hinted that he would do whatever it took to get the hostages out, and it's likely the Iranians feared an immediate attack.
Second, of special significance to us is that one of the hostages, Terry Waite, is now a professor at UK in the department of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs. He is a recognized expert in world politics and is on major news networks nearly every week informing Americans about current events.
The requirements of this assignment are exactly the same as those that preceded it. Have a good week!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Homework 4, Due January 28, 2011
As we continue to study the Reformation, this week's homework will give you an opportunity to do some meaningful research. We'll return to www.worldbookonline.com and use the school's subcription: the user id is "scs"; the password is "cougars". Chose the student version (not children) and search for "Reformation". This should provide you with more than 130 articles, several pictures, and a recommended web site.
Your assignment is to research an aspect of the Reformation with which you are unfamiliar and report your findings. Were you living in that era, would you act as the reformers did? Would you be willing to face the powerful resistance for the promotion of what you see as truth? Include the answers to those questions in your response.
As before, your essay must be at least 200 words in length. You must respond to at least two other essays (a total of 150 words in response). Please be respectful and thoughtful with your comments. Have a great week!
Your assignment is to research an aspect of the Reformation with which you are unfamiliar and report your findings. Were you living in that era, would you act as the reformers did? Would you be willing to face the powerful resistance for the promotion of what you see as truth? Include the answers to those questions in your response.
As before, your essay must be at least 200 words in length. You must respond to at least two other essays (a total of 150 words in response). Please be respectful and thoughtful with your comments. Have a great week!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Homework 3, Due January 21, 2011
Although we will be talking this week about the great reformers who ushered in the age of Protestantism I will delay an assignment about the topic until next week. (Remember that you have a test on Tuesday of this week!). Instead, in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I want to pause to reflect on the Civil Rights movement as it transpired in the state of Kentucky. While we spend a great deal more time discussing the topic in US History it is important to note that the issues of civil rights are very central to the human story of world history. It is in fact one of the great forces behind the development of western civilizations - that notion that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights".
The Kentucky Historical Society has constructed a wonderful website dealing with the Civil Rights movement in Kentucky. It can be accessed at the link http://205.204.134.47/civil_rights_mvt/ . The stories that are told are available in print and oral (and sometimes video) format. Browse the topics available and report back on two interviews (include identifying information such as name, location if given, etc.) You can download the free software that will allow you to hear the actual interviews or simply read the transcripts. What do these interviews teach you about life in Kentucky during the era? How different are things today? Is racial inequality still an issue that must be addressed? If so, how? If not, why? Please be respectful in your comments.
Thank you very much and enjoy your three-day weekend!
The Kentucky Historical Society has constructed a wonderful website dealing with the Civil Rights movement in Kentucky. It can be accessed at the link http://205.204.134.47/civil_rights_mvt/ . The stories that are told are available in print and oral (and sometimes video) format. Browse the topics available and report back on two interviews (include identifying information such as name, location if given, etc.) You can download the free software that will allow you to hear the actual interviews or simply read the transcripts. What do these interviews teach you about life in Kentucky during the era? How different are things today? Is racial inequality still an issue that must be addressed? If so, how? If not, why? Please be respectful in your comments.
Thank you very much and enjoy your three-day weekend!
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