I expect to learn the specifics of government that other history classes have not gone in depth to, and the interesting things I would have otherwise never known.
We should care about government and politics, because they rule our world. Unless you're knowledgable in them, you will be behind the rest of the world, and will not be able to understand the meaning of certain things that occur in our world. Also, people need to be knowledgable enough to vote based on facts and not opinion.
Throughout high school, I've been asked this question repeatedly and I generally respond with the same answer along the lines of wanting to learn something new or wanting to be able to pass the AP exam and earn college credit. But this year, I think I expect a memorable experience out of your class and your teaching. It goes without saying that I expect to learn about our government and pass the AP exam, but more so I want to accomplish this through an unique experience I'll remember. ____________________________________________ Government and Politics play a crucial role in our lives, as we have argued and fought for their interactive presence. It is expected of us to know how our government works, how elections take place and how we justify the actions of our government, especially since we reside here. We cannot be like the adults in the Jay Leno video that were ignorant about the most trivial American facts. Rather, we should take a more involved stand with regards to the American government and politics so we understand the foundations of our society and also so we can comprehend and justify our government's and representative's actions.
I actually have really high expectations for you this year -- you seem to be really high energy and passionate about your subject, which is refreshing in an environment where there are far too many old burnt-out teachers. I call teachers like you "Dead Poets Society teachers" (I'm assuming you've seen the movie) because you infuse your personality into your teaching, and it makes class a lot more fun.
We should all care about government and politics because a democracy is a system of government run by and for the people -- therefore, a democracy is only as good as its citizens, and it needs educated voters to function.
This is Camren Pitre. I expect to learn a lot and have a fun time in doing so. You seem like a pretty fun teacher and you are a graduate of the greatest university int the entire universe! BOOMER SOONER!
Camren Pitre said...I think we should care about government and politics because we shouldn't be ignorant on the subject of how our country is ran we should know what's up so we dont look stupid like those people in Jaywalking!
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks? I'm not sure what to expect. I think that the balance between a teacher who is fun and cool and a teacher who is helpful and authoritative is a difficult line to walk, although the two aren't necessary mutually exclusive. I'm looking forward to seeing how you achieve that balance. And of course, I'm expecting that you will help me gain insight on the nature of our government system.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place? It's really frustrating to me to hear that people don't care about politics or find them uninteresting. The fact of the matter is, politics are one of the only topics covered in the news every day that will truly affect all of us. If we turn away from politics because they're too confusing or not as entertainment-oriented as what the "Glee" cast wore to the Emmy's, we're essentially telling the government, "Go ahead. Do whatever you want to do with my and global citizen's rights, just don't attract too much attention." If the public didn't pay attention to politics and have a decent understanding of the government system, all kinds of injustices would fly by in the absence of protest -- just think of Prop 8, the unmodified version of Arizona's illegal immigration laws, and the Vietnam war. We will eventually lose all input on our government if we don't care enough to have opinions.
I expect an interesting approach to the subject of government from you. None of my other AP classes have ever required "interactive notebooks" so I would like to see where this idea takes us. But for the most part, I expect an enjoyable class that will definitely prepare me for the AP exam and the future.
This second question is truly based on the view of the reader. For example, as we have seen from that Jay Leno clip, diverse and seemingly educated people somehow forgot(or never knew) fundamental facts about this country's beginnings. Though how is it possible to have the distinction of "college professor" and not know when your own country earned independence? I may have gone off on a tangent there but I feel that proper education about government and politics is crucial to living a knowledgeable and legitimately free lifestyle.
I'm not a good social studies student, but i always have an idea that history and government class are important. I do expect to creat my own view towards politics in this class. I do expect Mr. Fitz (you) to guide and teach me to have my own perspective.
Many people now focus and math and science, but I think politic is also important. Everything is connected to politics and government. It could be personal or as a whole. The real world is now filled with politics. For example, buying a house or getting a job, I have to do bussiness with people and it connects to politics. Politics are practical.
As my teacher, I expect you to challenge what I may ignorantly believe about government and encourage me as a student to progressively improve both my knowledge on government and study techniques in which in I learn.
We should not just care about government and politics, but we should be actively involved in both. In America, I believe we take forgranted the opportunites we have to be involved in government and voice our opinions. To be an active citizen entails we know our rights, how our government works, and takes advantage of both to immprove our community. When we stop 'caring' about our government, there will be no point of voting, and no room for complaint when politicans astray from the fundamental values America was founded on. Like Jacy said, as soon as we become 'uninterested' in polics, powers can, and probably will, begin to be abuse their power without our consent.
Throughout this nine weeks I am expecting a very thorough, yet fun and enjoyable learning expreience about our government. I hardly know anything about our government system, aside from what we have learned in previous classes, but I want to get down to the "nitty gritty" and see the in's and out's of our government, and I feel that you are more than capable of doing that exact thing for us.
I feel like we should all care about our government because, well frankly it governs us! (Surprising I know!) Knowing about our government allows the people of the United States to know how to go about changing a law or introducing a law, even know what the people in our government do. Without the knowledge about the government, people would be oblivious(like some are today) about it and let things happen in the world just happen and roll with it. All in all I think without an education in US government, some people would just be hanging up to dry and be either left behind or taken advantage of.
As a student, I obviously expect you to teach us. I also expect you to introduce us to a new-found addiction to what’s happening. As a teacher, I would also want you to challenge us to think differently; out of our comfort zones, and unlike our parents or peers. Hoping of course that most of my fellow classmates see the importance of paying attention, what foot can we stand on as individuals if we are not aware of the changes happening in our political system? These changes will significantly shape and determine our future.
AS a teacher, I expect you to teach our class in a format in which we are both well prepared for the AP government test and we can truly learn about the United States government and remember it in the future. I hope to learn in the old fashioned way of taking notes and listening to lectures but with a mix of group disscusions and more modern and more invovled methods. I have never heard of an interactive notebook before and i hope its going to be a great teaching tool. I hope this nine weeks will be memorable
It is important to learn about government because the government is incharge of running our country and our protection. Government is important to the individual and the nation as a whole. ALmost anything is somehow realated to politics which is why it is important to learn about government,
Basically I expect a course that will adequately prepare me for the AP test. I want to be able to generate my own opinions on current day government issues based on knowledge. I want to learn something new and expand my knowledge on how the U.S. government works.
Government and politics are really important in our lives. They dictate what we can or can't do, our lifestyle, who tells us what to do, etc. Most things involved in our daily lives are effected by the government that rules our country. If we don't have at least a basic knowledge, how are we supposed to accurately make educated decisions when we have to vote on important issues? Government effects everyone, no matter their age, race, gender, or situation in life so it's very important to know what it's all about.
Primarily, I expect you to teach us the criteria to earn ourselves a good grade on the AP test. In addition, attaining new insight and a new perspective would be nice too. I never found government that interesting.
Government runs our country and plays a big role in our country. One can say everything is political. An understanding of government and politics will also aid someone's view of current issues or controversial events. I think that one of today's biggest problems is apathy. By caring about government and politics, we may become less apathetic and care more about world wide events.
What should you expect out of my as your teacher this nine weeks? This nine weeks, I expect you to help prepare me for the AP test, but at the same time make it interesting and fun: not the same old powerpoint and lecture everyday. Simulations and groups discussions help keep me, and hopefully the rest of the class, involved and excited to learn about U.S. Government.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place? I believe everyone should be educated about government, politics, and current events. If no one has an interest in politics, then the people of this country, as a whole, will give all of the power to those who have the money or the social class to decided on the rules and laws of the country instead of the masses. It is truly embarrassing seeing all of the people who know absolutely nothing and choose not to know anything about government and what goes on locally, nationally, and internationally. It makes our country seem uneducated and inadiquate in the eyes of rest of the world.
In addition, it is almost impossible to have a knowledgeable conversation with a superior if you don't know anything about politics or government. Especially if you're trying to get into a good college with the right amount of skills, you need to know what's going on in this nation and around the world to impress professors and bosses.
As a teacher, especially one interviewed by Mr. Ferguson, i expect you to teach us the full exptent of the american government in a way that both prepares us for the AP test and for practical use in the real world. I expect you to go beyond the superficial level in a funny way that we can relate and still learn from.
As seniors, most of us will be 18 by this time next year, and consequently exposed to our government and exploited to devious politicians trying to conjure more votes. We will not only be able to, but responcible to partake in the government because eventually we will be running the country; and if we dont learn about and actively participate in our government, we won't be able to teach the future generation how to run the country, and the amerian government isn't just another job we can outsource to Mexico.
For this 9 weeks I'm expecting you to teach us everything there is to know about our government, but do it in a way that doesn't make me want to fall asleep. I want to know how it all works and what's real and what isn't. How much of politics is lies and how much is truth? Plus you're young so everything should be fun right? :)
We need to learn about our government because someday, although it's scary to think of, we will be running our country. We need to know how it operates and how it really benefits the people. If we don't know how the government works, then we won't be able to properly have a say in how it's run, what laws are made and what bills are passed.
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
I expect you to engage the class in a variety of ways and to prepare me to ace the AP Govt. Exam. Although the primary focus of the class is to prepare for the AP test, I expect you to teach us things that are relevant to our everyday lives and that we can apply to our lives even beyond the nine weeks.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
We should care because it affects our lives and not caring would be a forfeit of our rights. To be an informed voter/citizen and elude the effects of propaganda, we should be aware of our government/politics. Knowledge of politics allows us to help shape the laws that govern us. Rather than being like the ignorant adults on Jay Leno's show, we should be like the Federalists and Anti-Federalists whose arguments shaped a suitable form of government. We should be active and force compromise to achieve a capable republic.
As a student in your class, I expect to learn a significant amount of information about the government, past and present. I want to be able to understand the different aspects of the government so that in the future, I can know the powers and privileges the government has. I also would love to be able to have a fun time while I am learning more and more about the government.
We should learn about the government because we need to know how the country that we live in is being run, and we need to know so we can attempt to make the country thrive for years and years.
I expect you to help me understand what government is really about and to help me do well on the AP test. I feel that you are a really fun teacher and your interest and passion for government can show me why government is very important in our lives and help me gain a new and exciting perspective on government because I find history and government very boring.
We should care about government and politics because, although we can’t tell, it controls many aspects of our lives. It sets the laws that we live by, tells us the taxes we have to pay, and educates us about what is going on in our local area as well as the rest of the world. Without the knowledge of government and politics, we wouldn’t be able to communicate with people of the upper-class, nor would we know anything about our country, like the people in the Jay Leno video.
As a student, I expect you to prepare us for the AP test. As an individual, I want to learn as much as possible about our government and current issues of today. I'm looking forward to an interactive, academic environment that encourages curiosity and creates a deeper understanding of how the American government functions as a whole.
It's important to be aware of how our country is run and who our leaders are. It seems like everyone these days has an opinion on the decisions of our government without knowing all the facts first. There's nothing worse than an ignorant citizen who criticizes the president and/or congress for something they themselves aren't particularily well informed of. Plus, the more ignorant you are, the more power you give government to do as they please.
First of all, to guide us in the content mastery of the subject area, but of course to be able to push us past what the standard forms of knowledge in this subject demands. Rather, help us grow in understanding and in reapplying the subject. I would like to grow to love the area and be able to apply it to future aspects, so I expect you to push us like no other and to keep us on the right track.
We should learn about Government and Politics because it shapes our world. In understanding the subject area, we grow more proficient in understanding the nation's history and why things played out the way it did. It is also important because with understanding of the subject area, other elements of our future will become clearer and easier to understand. Politics in the past and today has shaped and will continue to shape the way we think in our everyday lives. The study of the subject will keep us aware of new issues that arise and also understand the backgrounds of these issues more comprehensively.
History and government tend to be the subjects that high school students prefer to take minimal interest in. If life is all about living in the moment, then why should we care about the past? The issue arises that the future leaders of America aren't even concerned with present state of affairs, nor are we really concerned with studying the past to correct mistakes in the future. Studying government is the link between past history and future responsibility, because it takes the Constitution and its amendments, designed in the past, and applies them to current events, so that we can learn how to ultimately lead our nation in the future.
This year, besides the obvious goal of receiving a good score on the AP test, I hope to go in depth about the way our country is run. Ignorance leads to vulnerability, and thus we are at a greater risk of having our rights infringed upon if we are not even consciously aware of these rights to begin with. The class seems to be interesting so far, and i look forward to using this class as a way to figure out whats really going on out there in the realm of politics, about which i confess to know very little.
I would like the class to be very informational but at the same time interesting. And I would also like for you to prepare me to make a 4 or a 5 on the AP test. I would also like to be able to form my own opinions on the current gov. and make future decisions based on what I learned.
People should care and be educated on the gov. and politics because that is what they nations are built on. And depending on a nations gov. or politics depends on how good they are compared to other nations.
I can expect a good nine weeks where I will learn the news about government and have a better understanding of politics. I'd enjoy seeing more group work, because you learn in a fun and interactive way. From all my other AP classes, I haven't had many interactive notebooks so I would like to see how those go throughout the year.
The government is what rules and heads our country. Learning about government gives you real knowledge of how the branches work, or how the president works with his team in developing our county. The government is what creates the laws and foundations of the nation, giving us real insight with each new information we learn.
As a teacher, I expect of you to teach us government during this 9 weeks. Of course, it'd be best if you'd do more simulations from time to time to show us how certain events played out. I also your laid-back approach to introducing yourself to the class and would love to continue seeing you perform as such, however with a serious intent to help us learn.
Government and politics are what make America work and function. If we are able to master the art of politics, then we can easily sway people towards certain directions. America knowing the history behind government, can also prep them to voting correctly at the polls and help people better appreciate America as a whole.
'm not sure what to expect, but I'm expecting to have a different learning experience because you are younger than any of my past history teachers and may have a different approach to teaching. I expect you will be helpful and will be able to prepare us for the AP exam.
I think it's important for us to learn about government and politics because it's the foundation of the society we have today. It is also one of the main contents of our major newspapers and magazines, which not enough teenagers (or even adults) read. It's important for us to learn about something that will affect all of us. Decisions that are made within the government can affect our daily lives and possibly oppose our views on social and economic policies. We need to educate ourselves because most of us will be able to vote in the next election, and it's important for us to do so. We need to have our own political views so we can contribute to how we want our government to be run and who we want to run that government.
As a teacher I would just like you to really make a not so exciting subject, exciting. Other than that, as a person that has a busy schedule (work, baseball, college visits) that you could be a little flexible with turning things in. I am not for sure if you are one to do such things, but when things start to get really hectic scheduling wise, you have no idea how nice it is to have an extra day or two on a project.
Its important for us as the next generation to learn how this country is run, since we will be running it not to long from now. Not only is it good to learn about how it works, but to learn about how our forefathers had difficulties and how they dealt with them. Like they say "you learn from your mistakes". So being the next in line to take leadership over the country we must learn from their mistakes.
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks? As a teacher, I expect you to prepare us for the AP exam in an adequate way. I'm not sure about what else to expect since your methods of teaching are different from the history teachers I've had in the past. I'm hoping for an interactive learning experience which will allow me to understand our political system more extensively as well as getting more insight on different viewpoints.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place? Government and politics are the basis to how different nations function and as members of this country it is important for us to understand what is going on politically. Since this is a democracy, we have the ability to vote for our leaders.With this power, one cannot afford to be ignorant about the candidates in an election or their stand points. It is crucial to know what you want from the government and in what ways these things can be implemented.
"What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?"
I'm expecting to gain a new perspective on government and all that is included with the subject. I've never been a student that was inclined towards history or politics, and I was never really curious enough to take the time to figure out. I'm hoping that after these nine weeks I'll grow a newfound appreciation of sorts for what our nation is built upon and how we, as people, are handling our future responsibilities with the precedents that have been set before us. I would like to involve myself with current news that occurs in society today. Prior to the first day of school, I honestly held no interest in the events happening around me. Like your own real life hero that inspired you to continue teaching and learning, I'm expecting that you'll instill in us that same passion for our history and also what lays ahead of us in the future.
"Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?"
Government and politics are what we have based our society off of for years. It has set an example for us to follow or to alter as we see fit. It is important to be knowledgeable of these topics because we are the future of our nation and we will either make or break ourselves depending on whether we're capable of choosing the right decisions or not. Too many people are completely oblivious to the reality of what is actually happening in our society concerning government and politics. If we continue being ignorant to this subject, I can only imagine that we will go down in ruins.
Out of all the teachers I have had in the previous years, your teaching style is different and I like learning like that. My expectations out of you for this class is to get us fully prepared for the AP exam. Hopefully the methods you teach us to remember certain thing will be in my head till the AP exam. The reason why I think we should care about government and politics is because its going on in our society and we should know as citizens what go on.
this nine weeks i expect to learn an accurate amount of knowledge of government and politics for the future. and i would like to be prepared for the ap test as much as possible.
i think we should care about gov& politics because we all pay taxes and have to obey laws so,we should have a right to know what goes on in office and what are money goes towards. and knowing alot about our country will help us in the future to make better decisions about what we do & say politically.
1. At the end of these nine weeks I hope to have better understanding of the inner workings of our government and why sometimes actions are taken outside what some would consider the normal function of government. Obviously, I hope by the end I am fully capable of passing the AP test, but I hope to pull different skills from this class since your teaching style is a bit different than the other teachers I have had in the past, which I consider to be a excellent opportunity.
2. I feel that understanding our government is important because, especially now as we approach voting age, when making decisions like voting and who to side with, knowing how the system itself works is crucial to these decisions. And in our current days, political tensions are higher than ever and being educated when one confronts you with a political discussion is incredibly important.
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
I expect you to prepare me for the AP test. I also want to be able to have my own opinions about the issues that pertain to my life right now or will pertain to my life in the very near future. I would like to get out of my comfort zone and have a memorable experience in your class since apparently it's so refreshing and abnormal. Honestly, having a teacher like you is freaking me out at the moment. I'm scared I won't do so well in your class because of this.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
We should care because most of us are seniors, meaning that we are all either 18 or will be turning 18 very shortly. Things that are going on in Government and Politics will soon effect us in a bigger way than we thought it ever would. Of course, there are already things that are effecting us but most of us are too isolated in our own world to realize it. By the time I can vote I want to be able to make an educated decision rather than not voting because I am drowning in the waves of ignorance.
As a AP teacher, there's already a lot to be expected of you. You're expected to teach us all the neccessary knowledge to not only surpass the AP exam, but to exceed with that knowledge in the real world. Plus, I was hoping that you show us some of the nasty, little tricks that occurs in the government and politics, especially those that they try to hide.
In my eyes without politics, there wouldn't be much of a government and without a government, there wouldn't be much of a history. Each is neccessary for the existence of the others. Therefore, it is very crucial that we learn about both the govenment and politics. They keep peace and keep our country running. Without learning about it now, how are we suppose to manage it later and prevent it from total corruption in the future?
I hope to learn from you as a teacher not just about government as it is now, but how to make my own decisions about how our government. I believe it's important to be able to be conscious about what you believe and not just go democrat or republican or just follow exactly what your parents taught you.
Government is important because it controls our everyday lives and even controls the things that we control. Luckily in america we can decide how that government so it's important we learn how to use our government and learn how to use it.
This 9 weeks, I expect to learn enough about government to be able to form my own opinions on certain topics such as gun control, in addition to getting a good score on the AP test. Also, your method of teaching is much different than the other social science teachers I've had so far: most teach through slide shows and lectures while you teach us through simulations and class discussions. It seems to me that it will be an interesting 9 weeks.
Government is important because it is what runs our country and determines what actions are legal and illegal. The policies of Washington D.C. affect our everyday lives, from the voting age to the drinking age. It's also important for us to understand how these policies are created and what we can do to take part in our own government. Also, I don't want to end up looking like an idiot on TV like those people in Jaywalking!
I expect you to not only prepare us well for the AP tests but also help us understand how learning about the government and how it works will help us in the future. As AP students, most of us are well prepared for whatever might be thrown in our direction, but I would appreciate if you could also understand that we aren't so confident in everything...(like socratic seminars...)
Having an interest in government and politics is important because as we approach voting age and taxes, we need to know what exactly we're working for. Blindly casting votes and just giving money to the government without having a clear understanding of what we're supporting isn't very... smart and can be frustrating. Learning about the system will help us to make the most of our votes and give us an understanding of the government that runs our country.
I am definitely not a political junkie. In fact, I am completely unaware of how the government is actually run. After a few days with you, Mr. Fitz, I expect to get more in depth knowledge about our complex government system and politics.
If people were to live in a lawless society where everyone is free to act as they desire, it would be a complete chaos and no functioning communities will be able form. Government organizes different sets of rules in order for a community to form and thrive.
What I hope to get out of this class is an understanding of the inner workings of our government. I have have always taken great interest in history but have never gotten the chance to study our government in depth. I feel as if most of my life I have heard my parents perspective on a lot of things, and most of the time I don't necessarily agree with them. I want to understand my place in the political spectrum, so I can talk about my views without any hesitation.
The people of America, I believe, are mostly under the impression that ignorance is bliss. I don't blame them, people here have it so much easier than people from other countries, however I don't want to be like that. It is so important to know the events taking place in your nation. We are all about to enter the world as adults and we cannot go out there having the same views that our parents have or what our religions tell us, we need to figure out what is actually going within our governments and we need to form our own opinions
1. This 9 weeks, I hope to learn more about our national government and how all the different pieces work together. I have many unanswered questions about our nation's government and hopefully you will be able to solve them all. 2. It is important to understand politics and how our nation functions. In order to be informed citizens and make decisions like voting for president or governor, we need to understand our political system. Since our government is based on the vote of the people, we have to know how our government runs so that we can make the correct decision on who to vote for. Our government interacts in our lives every day so knowing about our political system will help explain our rights and what we can and cannot do as US citizens.
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
I hope to learn not just about the government but how to cope with everyday crisis we face as citizens of america. I knew this class would be different because you include fun activities which makes it interesting than just lectures.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
Well we are about to graduate and most of us are going to live on our own, so we would like to know what going on outside just school, facebook and Carrollton. Hopefully we can change that habit and see what the real world is like.
First off what I expect to gain from you and this class is a better, detailed understanding of how the government works and how it affects me on a daily basis. I also hope that i can, like mentioned alot from others, learn enough to recieve a five on the AP exam. We should care more about government and politics because it is the basis for our whole life. The government controls and regulates basically everything we do on a daily basis. Your electricity, water, gas, school ... the list is endless. People should take the time to learn about their governmnent for without it they most likely wouldn't be where they are right now, and it will help them succeed in their future.
1. I expect to learn from you more about the specifics of the U.S. government system this nine weeks, and to understand more about the historical aspects of the government and why laws were put in place for what reasons. My expectations for you as a teacher are to explain and help me to understand the complexities of our government system, and to give me the information I need to form my own opinions about the government.
2.We should care about the government and politics because these things affect our everyday lives tremendously. If we do not understand how our government works it would be impossible for us to be good citizens and contribute to our country and play a part in the decisions that affect us.
Honestly I don't know why so many people voted yes to that question and can still stand to call themselves American. I know that the government shouldn’t be able to regulate the construction of the mosque due to the first amendment, making their actions unconstitutional due to freedom of religious practices and whatnot, but after what happened on 9/11 I think the circumstances are a bit different. Being just two blocks away it is almost as if they are taunting New York of what happened, using the mosque as like the ad says, a trophy of what happened on that tragic day in America. And that is just unacceptable. So in respect for those who lost their life in the attack, in respect for those who risked their life to help, and in respect for America that mosque should not exist, and the issue put the rest now as the day we are remembered of what happened on that gruesome morning approaches.
Andre Gide said that "The only true education comes from what goes counter to you." It is not enough in a course like AP Government to be told the political opinions of others. Facts are not an education, just the foundation for a wider expanse of knowledge. In this course, I hope to not only be academically challenged, but to be exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. Learning about our government and political history is just a plus: the most important thing to me is learning how to think. So far I'm excited about how many times during a single class period we are presented with a current topic or subject, tought the history behind why it is an issue, shown the facts, and then challenged to create our own opinion and back them up. It's brilliant. As for caring about our government, whether we like it or not, we are part of this country and part of this world. Simply put, we cannot escape even if it was our greatest desire. That can either be highly depressing or it can be strangely eye-opening. Everything that happens in Washington directly affects us one way or another, if only for the sole reason that we are all part of the human race. It is easy for us here in America to take our way of life for granted: we live in country that allows us to make choices, to live our lives in a way that suits our beliefs. But what if we couldn't? What if our government restricted who we could be, how we could dress, what we could by? Would we care about the government then? It's easy to forget how good we have it, but that is no excuse for neglecting our roots.
Oh and here is a link that helps describe both perspectives of the NYC mosque blog questions, and a true American ad dealing with the situation at hand,
Honestly I don't know why so many people voted yes to that question and can still stand to call themselves American. I know that the government shouldn’t be able to regulate the construction of the mosque due to the first amendment, making their actions unconstitutional due to freedom of religious practices and whatnot, but after what happened on 9/11 I think the circumstances are a bit different. Being just two blocks away it is almost as if they are taunting New York of what happened, using the mosque as like the ad says, a trophy of what happened on that tragic day in America. And that is just unacceptable. So in respect for those who lost their life in the attack, in respect for those who risked their life to help, and in respect for America that mosque should not exist, and the issue put the rest now as the day we are remembered of what happened on that gruesome morning approaches.
I expect to learn the specifics of government that other history classes have not gone in depth to, and the interesting things I would have otherwise never known.
ReplyDeleteWe should care about government and politics, because they rule our world. Unless you're knowledgable in them, you will be behind the rest of the world, and will not be able to understand the meaning of certain things that occur in our world. Also, people need to be knowledgable enough to vote based on facts and not opinion.
Throughout high school, I've been asked this question repeatedly and I generally respond with the same answer along the lines of wanting to learn something new or wanting to be able to pass the AP exam and earn college credit.
ReplyDeleteBut this year, I think I expect a memorable experience out of your class and your teaching. It goes without saying that I expect to learn about our government and pass the AP exam, but more so I want to accomplish this through an unique experience I'll remember.
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Government and Politics play a crucial role in our lives, as we have argued and fought for their interactive presence. It is expected of us to know how our government works, how elections take place and how we justify the actions of our government, especially since we reside here. We cannot be like the adults in the Jay Leno video that were ignorant about the most trivial American facts. Rather, we should take a more involved stand with regards to the American government and politics so we understand the foundations of our society and also so we can comprehend and justify our government's and representative's actions.
Here's a funny, stupid, CANADIAN article relating to the poll question
ReplyDeletehttp://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/26172
ReplyDeleteforgot to put that. It was kind of important.
This is a great perspective...but I need YOUR perspective about what YOU think of the controversy in NYC.
ReplyDeleteNaturally, just sharing a link!
ReplyDeleteI need to research the issue more I don't have all the details yet
I actually have really high expectations for you this year -- you seem to be really high energy and passionate about your subject, which is refreshing in an environment where there are far too many old burnt-out teachers. I call teachers like you "Dead Poets Society teachers" (I'm assuming you've seen the movie) because you infuse your personality into your teaching, and it makes class a lot more fun.
ReplyDeleteWe should all care about government and politics because a democracy is a system of government run by and for the people -- therefore, a democracy is only as good as its citizens, and it needs educated voters to function.
This is Camren Pitre. I expect to learn a lot and have a fun time in doing so. You seem like a pretty fun teacher and you are a graduate of the greatest university int the entire universe! BOOMER SOONER!
ReplyDeleteCamren Pitre said...I think we should care about government and politics because we shouldn't be ignorant on the subject of how our country is ran we should know what's up so we dont look stupid like those people in Jaywalking!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what to expect. I think that the balance between a teacher who is fun and cool and a teacher who is helpful and authoritative is a difficult line to walk, although the two aren't necessary mutually exclusive. I'm looking forward to seeing how you achieve that balance. And of course, I'm expecting that you will help me gain insight on the nature of our government system.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
It's really frustrating to me to hear that people don't care about politics or find them uninteresting. The fact of the matter is, politics are one of the only topics covered in the news every day that will truly affect all of us. If we turn away from politics because they're too confusing or not as entertainment-oriented as what the "Glee" cast wore to the Emmy's, we're essentially telling the government, "Go ahead. Do whatever you want to do with my and global citizen's rights, just don't attract too much attention." If the public didn't pay attention to politics and have a decent understanding of the government system, all kinds of injustices would fly by in the absence of protest -- just think of Prop 8, the unmodified version of Arizona's illegal immigration laws, and the Vietnam war. We will eventually lose all input on our government if we don't care enough to have opinions.
I expect an interesting approach to the subject of government from you. None of my other AP classes have ever required "interactive notebooks" so I would like to see where this idea takes us. But for the most part, I expect an enjoyable class that will definitely prepare me for the AP exam and the future.
ReplyDeleteThis second question is truly based on the view of the reader. For example, as we have seen from that Jay Leno clip, diverse and seemingly educated people somehow forgot(or never knew) fundamental facts about this country's beginnings. Though how is it possible to have the distinction of "college professor" and not know when your own country earned independence? I may have gone off on a tangent there but I feel that proper education about government and politics is crucial to living a knowledgeable and legitimately free lifestyle.
I'm not a good social studies student, but i always have an idea that history and government class are important. I do expect to creat my own view towards politics in this class.
ReplyDeleteI do expect Mr. Fitz (you) to guide and teach me to have my own perspective.
Many people now focus and math and science, but I think politic is also important. Everything is connected to politics and government. It could be personal or as a whole. The real world is now filled with politics. For example, buying a house or getting a job, I have to do bussiness with people and it connects to politics. Politics are practical.
As my teacher, I expect you to challenge what I may ignorantly believe about government and encourage me as a student to progressively improve both my knowledge on government and study techniques in which in I learn.
ReplyDeleteWe should not just care about government and politics, but we should be actively involved in both. In America, I believe we take forgranted the opportunites we have to be involved in government and voice our opinions. To be an active citizen entails we know our rights, how our government works, and takes advantage of both to immprove our community. When we stop 'caring' about our government, there will be no point of voting, and no room for complaint when politicans astray from the fundamental values America was founded on. Like Jacy said, as soon as we become 'uninterested' in polics, powers can, and probably will, begin to be abuse their power without our consent.
Throughout this nine weeks I am expecting a very thorough, yet fun and enjoyable learning expreience about our government. I hardly know anything about our government system, aside from what we have learned in previous classes, but I want to get down to the "nitty gritty" and see the in's and out's of our government, and I feel that you are more than capable of doing that exact thing for us.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we should all care about our government because, well frankly it governs us! (Surprising I know!) Knowing about our government allows the people of the United States to know how to go about changing a law or introducing a law, even know what the people in our government do. Without the knowledge about the government, people would be oblivious(like some are today) about it and let things happen in the world just happen and roll with it. All in all I think without an education in US government, some people would just be hanging up to dry and be either left behind or taken advantage of.
As a student, I obviously expect you to teach us. I also expect you to introduce us to a new-found addiction to what’s happening. As a teacher, I would also want you to challenge us to think differently; out of our comfort zones, and unlike our parents or peers. Hoping of course that most of my fellow classmates see the importance of paying attention, what foot can we stand on as individuals if we are not aware of the changes happening in our political system? These changes will significantly shape and determine our future.
ReplyDeleteAS a teacher, I expect you to teach our class in a format in which we are both well prepared for the AP government test and we can truly learn about the United States government and remember it in the future. I hope to learn in the old fashioned way of taking notes and listening to lectures but with a mix of group disscusions and more modern and more invovled methods. I have never heard of an interactive notebook before and i hope its going to be a great teaching tool. I hope this nine weeks will be memorable
ReplyDeleteIt is important to learn about government because the government is incharge of running our country and our protection. Government is important to the individual and the nation as a whole. ALmost anything is somehow realated to politics which is why it is important to learn about government,
Basically I expect a course that will adequately prepare me for the AP test. I want to be able to generate my own opinions on current day government issues based on knowledge. I want to learn something new and expand my knowledge on how the U.S. government works.
ReplyDeleteGovernment and politics are really important in our lives. They dictate what we can or can't do, our lifestyle, who tells us what to do, etc. Most things involved in our daily lives are effected by the government that rules our country. If we don't have at least a basic knowledge, how are we supposed to accurately make educated decisions when we have to vote on important issues? Government effects everyone, no matter their age, race, gender, or situation in life so it's very important to know what it's all about.
Primarily, I expect you to teach us the criteria to earn ourselves a good grade on the AP test. In addition, attaining new insight and a new perspective would be nice too. I never found government that interesting.
ReplyDeleteGovernment runs our country and plays a big role in our country. One can say everything is political. An understanding of government and politics will also aid someone's view of current issues or controversial events. I think that one of today's biggest problems is apathy. By caring about government and politics, we may become less apathetic and care more about world wide events.
What should you expect out of my as your teacher this nine weeks?
ReplyDeleteThis nine weeks, I expect you to help prepare me for the AP test, but at the same time make it interesting and fun: not the same old powerpoint and lecture everyday. Simulations and groups discussions help keep me, and hopefully the rest of the class, involved and excited to learn about U.S. Government.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
I believe everyone should be educated about government, politics, and current events. If no one has an interest in politics, then the people of this country, as a whole, will give all of the power to those who have the money or the social class to decided on the rules and laws of the country instead of the masses. It is truly embarrassing seeing all of the people who know absolutely nothing and choose not to know anything about government and what goes on locally, nationally, and internationally. It makes our country seem uneducated and inadiquate in the eyes of rest of the world.
In addition, it is almost impossible to have a knowledgeable conversation with a superior if you don't know anything about politics or government. Especially if you're trying to get into a good college with the right amount of skills, you need to know what's going on in this nation and around the world to impress professors and bosses.
As a teacher, especially one interviewed by Mr. Ferguson, i expect you to teach us the full exptent of the american government in a way that both prepares us for the AP test and for practical use in the real world. I expect you to go beyond the superficial level in a funny way that we can relate and still learn from.
ReplyDeleteAs seniors, most of us will be 18 by this time next year, and consequently exposed to our government and exploited to devious politicians trying to conjure more votes. We will not only be able to, but responcible to partake in the government because eventually we will be running the country; and if we dont learn about and actively participate in our government, we won't be able to teach the future generation how to run the country, and the amerian government isn't just another job we can outsource to Mexico.
For this 9 weeks I'm expecting you to teach us everything there is to know about our government, but do it in a way that doesn't make me want to fall asleep. I want to know how it all works and what's real and what isn't. How much of politics is lies and how much is truth? Plus you're young so everything should be fun right? :)
ReplyDeleteWe need to learn about our government because someday, although it's scary to think of, we will be running our country. We need to know how it operates and how it really benefits the people. If we don't know how the government works, then we won't be able to properly have a say in how it's run, what laws are made and what bills are passed.
Dang looking at everybody else's comments mine looks kind of childish and lame.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
ReplyDeleteI expect you to engage the class in a variety of ways and to prepare me to ace the AP Govt. Exam. Although the primary focus of the class is to prepare for the AP test, I expect you to teach us things that are relevant to our everyday lives and that we can apply to our lives even beyond the nine weeks.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
We should care because it affects our lives and not caring would be a forfeit of our rights. To be an informed voter/citizen and elude the effects of propaganda, we should be aware of our government/politics. Knowledge of politics allows us to help shape the laws that govern us. Rather than being like the ignorant adults on Jay Leno's show, we should be like the Federalists and Anti-Federalists whose arguments shaped a suitable form of government. We should be active and force compromise to achieve a capable republic.
As a student in your class, I expect to learn a significant amount of information about the government, past and present. I want to be able to understand the different aspects of the government so that in the future, I can know the powers and privileges the government has. I also would love to be able to have a fun time while I am learning more and more about the government.
ReplyDeleteWe should learn about the government because we need to know how the country that we live in is being run, and we need to know so we can attempt to make the country thrive for years and years.
I expect you to help me understand what government is really about and to help me do well on the AP test. I feel that you are a really fun teacher and your interest and passion for government can show me why government is very important in our lives and help me gain a new and exciting perspective on government because I find history and government very boring.
ReplyDeleteWe should care about government and politics because, although we can’t tell, it controls many aspects of our lives. It sets the laws that we live by, tells us the taxes we have to pay, and educates us about what is going on in our local area as well as the rest of the world. Without the knowledge of government and politics, we wouldn’t be able to communicate with people of the upper-class, nor would we know anything about our country, like the people in the Jay Leno video.
As a student, I expect you to prepare us for the AP test. As an individual, I want to learn as much as possible about our government and current issues of today. I'm looking forward to an interactive, academic environment that encourages curiosity and creates a deeper understanding of how the American government functions as a whole.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to be aware of how our country is run and who our leaders are. It seems like everyone these days has an opinion on the decisions of our government without knowing all the facts first. There's nothing worse than an ignorant citizen who criticizes the president and/or congress for something they themselves aren't particularily well informed of. Plus, the more ignorant you are, the more power you give government to do as they please.
First of all, to guide us in the content mastery of the subject area, but of course to be able to push us past what the standard forms of knowledge in this subject demands. Rather, help us grow in understanding and in reapplying the subject. I would like to grow to love the area and be able to apply it to future aspects, so I expect you to push us like no other and to keep us on the right track.
ReplyDeleteWe should learn about Government and Politics because it shapes our world. In understanding the subject area, we grow more proficient in understanding the nation's history and why things played out the way it did. It is also important because with understanding of the subject area, other elements of our future will become clearer and easier to understand. Politics in the past and today has shaped and will continue to shape the way we think in our everyday lives. The study of the subject will keep us aware of new issues that arise and also understand the backgrounds of these issues more comprehensively.
History and government tend to be the subjects that high school students prefer to take minimal interest in. If life is all about living in the moment, then why should we care about the past? The issue arises that the future leaders of America aren't even concerned with present state of affairs, nor are we really concerned with studying the past to correct mistakes in the future. Studying government is the link between past history and future responsibility, because it takes the Constitution and its amendments, designed in the past, and applies them to current events, so that we can learn how to ultimately lead our nation in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis year, besides the obvious goal of receiving a good score on the AP test, I hope to go in depth about the way our country is run. Ignorance leads to vulnerability, and thus we are at a greater risk of having our rights infringed upon if we are not even consciously aware of these rights to begin with. The class seems to be interesting so far, and i look forward to using this class as a way to figure out whats really going on out there in the realm of politics, about which i confess to know very little.
I would like the class to be very informational but at the same time interesting. And I would also like for you to prepare me to make a 4 or a 5 on the AP test. I would also like to be able to form my own opinions on the current gov. and make future decisions based on what I learned.
ReplyDeletePeople should care and be educated on the gov. and politics because that is what they nations are built on. And depending on a nations gov. or politics depends on how good they are compared to other nations.
I can expect a good nine weeks where I will learn the news about government and have a better understanding of politics. I'd enjoy seeing more group work, because you learn in a fun and interactive way. From all my other AP classes, I haven't had many interactive notebooks so I would like to see how those go throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteThe government is what rules and heads our country. Learning about government gives you real knowledge of how the branches work, or how the president works with his team in developing our county. The government is what creates the laws and foundations of the nation, giving us real insight with each new information we learn.
As a teacher, I expect of you to teach us government during this 9 weeks. Of course, it'd be best if you'd do more simulations from time to time to show us how certain events played out. I also your laid-back approach to introducing yourself to the class and would love to continue seeing you perform as such, however with a serious intent to help us learn.
ReplyDeleteGovernment and politics are what make America work and function. If we are able to master the art of politics, then we can easily sway people towards certain directions. America knowing the history behind government, can also prep them to voting correctly at the polls and help people better appreciate America as a whole.
'm not sure what to expect, but I'm expecting to have a different learning experience because you are younger than any of my past history teachers and may have a different approach to teaching. I expect you will be helpful and will be able to prepare us for the AP exam.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important for us to learn about government and politics because it's the foundation of the society we have today. It is also one of the main contents of our major newspapers and magazines, which not enough teenagers (or even adults) read. It's important for us to learn about something that will affect all of us. Decisions that are made within the government can affect our daily lives and possibly oppose our views on social and economic policies. We need to educate ourselves because most of us will be able to vote in the next election, and it's important for us to do so. We need to have our own political views so we can contribute to how we want our government to be run and who we want to run that government.
As a teacher I would just like you to really make a not so exciting subject, exciting. Other than that, as a person that has a busy schedule (work, baseball, college visits) that you could be a little flexible with turning things in. I am not for sure if you are one to do such things, but when things start to get really hectic scheduling wise, you have no idea how nice it is to have an extra day or two on a project.
ReplyDeleteIts important for us as the next generation to learn how this country is run, since we will be running it not to long from now. Not only is it good to learn about how it works, but to learn about how our forefathers had difficulties and how they dealt with them. Like they say "you learn from your mistakes". So being the next in line to take leadership over the country we must learn from their mistakes.
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I expect you to prepare us for the AP exam in an adequate way. I'm not sure about what else to expect since your methods of teaching are different from the history teachers I've had in the past. I'm hoping for an interactive learning experience which will allow me to understand our political system more extensively as well as getting more insight on different viewpoints.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
Government and politics are the basis to how different nations function and as members of this country it is important for us to understand what is going on politically. Since this is a democracy, we have the ability to vote for our leaders.With this power, one cannot afford to be ignorant about the candidates in an election or their stand points. It is crucial to know what you want from the government and in what ways these things can be implemented.
"What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?"
ReplyDeleteI'm expecting to gain a new perspective on government and all that is included with the subject. I've never been a student that was inclined towards history or politics, and I was never really curious enough to take the time to figure out. I'm hoping that after these nine weeks I'll grow a newfound appreciation of sorts for what our nation is built upon and how we, as people, are handling our future responsibilities with the precedents that have been set before us. I would like to involve myself with current news that occurs in society today. Prior to the first day of school, I honestly held no interest in the events happening around me. Like your own real life hero that inspired you to continue teaching and learning, I'm expecting that you'll instill in us that same passion for our history and also what lays ahead of us in the future.
"Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?"
Government and politics are what we have based our society off of for years. It has set an example for us to follow or to alter as we see fit. It is important to be knowledgeable of these topics because we are the future of our nation and we will either make or break ourselves depending on whether we're capable of choosing the right decisions or not. Too many people are completely oblivious to the reality of what is actually happening in our society concerning government and politics. If we continue being ignorant to this subject, I can only imagine that we will go down in ruins.
Out of all the teachers I have had in the previous years, your teaching style is different and I like learning like that. My expectations out of you for this class is to get us fully prepared for the AP exam. Hopefully the methods you teach us to remember certain thing will be in my head till the AP exam. The reason why I think we should care about government and politics is because its going on in our society and we should know as citizens what go on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. I just need to know who you are for credit. Happy blogging.
ReplyDeletethis nine weeks i expect to learn an accurate amount of knowledge of government and politics for the future. and i would like to be prepared for the ap test as much as possible.
ReplyDeletei think we should care about gov& politics because we all pay taxes and have to obey laws so,we should have a right to know what goes on in office and what are money goes towards. and knowing alot about our country will help us in the future to make better decisions about what we do & say politically.
1. At the end of these nine weeks I hope to have better understanding of the inner workings of our government and why sometimes actions are taken outside what some would consider the normal function of government. Obviously, I hope by the end I am fully capable of passing the AP test, but I hope to pull different skills from this class since your teaching style is a bit different than the other teachers I have had in the past, which I consider to be a excellent opportunity.
ReplyDelete2. I feel that understanding our government is important because, especially now as we approach voting age, when making decisions like voting and who to side with, knowing how the system itself works is crucial to these decisions. And in our current days, political tensions are higher than ever and being educated when one confronts you with a political discussion is incredibly important.
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
ReplyDeleteI expect you to prepare me for the AP test. I also want to be able to have my own opinions about the issues that pertain to my life right now or will pertain to my life in the very near future. I would like to get out of my comfort zone and have a memorable experience in your class since apparently it's so refreshing and abnormal. Honestly, having a teacher like you is freaking me out at the moment. I'm scared I won't do so well in your class because of this.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
We should care because most of us are seniors, meaning that we are all either 18 or will be turning 18 very shortly. Things that are going on in Government and Politics will soon effect us in a bigger way than we thought it ever would. Of course, there are already things that are effecting us but most of us are too isolated in our own world to realize it. By the time I can vote I want to be able to make an educated decision rather than not voting because I am drowning in the waves of ignorance.
As a AP teacher, there's already a lot to be expected of you. You're expected to teach us all the neccessary knowledge to not only surpass the AP exam, but to exceed with that knowledge in the real world. Plus, I was hoping that you show us some of the nasty, little tricks that occurs in the government and politics, especially those that they try to hide.
ReplyDeleteIn my eyes without politics, there wouldn't be much of a government and without a government, there wouldn't be much of a history. Each is neccessary for the existence of the others. Therefore, it is very crucial that we learn about both the govenment and politics. They keep peace and keep our country running. Without learning about it now, how are we suppose to manage it later and prevent it from total corruption in the future?
I hope to learn from you as a teacher not just about government as it is now, but how to make my own decisions about how our government. I believe it's important to be able to be conscious about what you believe and not just go democrat or republican or just follow exactly what your parents taught you.
ReplyDeleteGovernment is important because it controls our everyday lives and even controls the things that we control. Luckily in america we can decide how that government so it's important we learn how to use our government and learn how to use it.
This 9 weeks, I expect to learn enough about government to be able to form my own opinions on certain topics such as gun control, in addition to getting a good score on the AP test. Also, your method of teaching is much different than the other social science teachers I've had so far: most teach through slide shows and lectures while you teach us through simulations and class discussions. It seems to me that it will be an interesting 9 weeks.
ReplyDeleteGovernment is important because it is what runs our country and determines what actions are legal and illegal. The policies of Washington D.C. affect our everyday lives, from the voting age to the drinking age. It's also important for us to understand how these policies are created and what we can do to take part in our own government. Also, I don't want to end up looking like an idiot on TV like those people in Jaywalking!
I expect you to not only prepare us well for the AP tests but also help us understand how learning about the government and how it works will help us in the future. As AP students, most of us are well prepared for whatever might be thrown in our direction, but I would appreciate if you could also understand that we aren't so confident in everything...(like socratic seminars...)
ReplyDeleteHaving an interest in government and politics is important because as we approach voting age and taxes, we need to know what exactly we're working for. Blindly casting votes and just giving money to the government without having a clear understanding of what we're supporting isn't very... smart and can be frustrating. Learning about the system will help us to make the most of our votes and give us an understanding of the government that runs our country.
I am definitely not a political junkie. In fact, I am completely unaware of how the government is actually run. After a few days with you, Mr. Fitz, I expect to get more in depth knowledge about our complex government system and politics.
ReplyDeleteIf people were to live in a lawless society where everyone is free to act as they desire, it would be a complete chaos and no functioning communities will be able form. Government organizes different sets of rules in order for a community to form and thrive.
What I hope to get out of this class is an understanding of the inner workings of our government. I have have always taken great interest in history but have never gotten the chance to study our government in depth. I feel as if most of my life I have heard my parents perspective on a lot of things, and most of the time I don't necessarily agree with them. I want to understand my place in the political spectrum, so I can talk about my views without any hesitation.
ReplyDeleteThe people of America, I believe, are mostly under the impression that ignorance is bliss. I don't blame them, people here have it so much easier than people from other countries, however I don't want to be like that. It is so important to know the events taking place in your nation. We are all about to enter the world as adults and we cannot go out there having the same views that our parents have or what our religions tell us, we need to figure out what is actually going within our governments and we need to form our own opinions
1. This 9 weeks, I hope to learn more about our national government and how all the different pieces work together. I have many unanswered questions about our nation's government and hopefully you will be able to solve them all.
ReplyDelete2. It is important to understand politics and how our nation functions. In order to be informed citizens and make decisions like voting for president or governor, we need to understand our political system. Since our government is based on the vote of the people, we have to know how our government runs so that we can make the correct decision on who to vote for. Our government interacts in our lives every day so knowing about our political system will help explain our rights and what we can and cannot do as US citizens.
What do you expect out of me as your teacher this nine weeks?
ReplyDeleteI hope to learn not just about the government but how to cope with everyday crisis we face as citizens of america. I knew this class would be different because you include fun activities which makes it interesting than just lectures.
Why should we even care about government and politics in the first place?
Well we are about to graduate and most of us are going to live on our own, so we would like to know what going on outside just school, facebook and Carrollton. Hopefully we can change that habit and see what the real world is like.
First off what I expect to gain from you and this class is a better, detailed understanding of how the government works and how it affects me on a daily basis. I also hope that i can, like mentioned alot from others, learn enough to recieve a five on the AP exam.
ReplyDeleteWe should care more about government and politics because it is the basis for our whole life. The government controls and regulates basically everything we do on a daily basis. Your electricity, water, gas, school ... the list is endless. People should take the time to learn about their governmnent for without it they most likely wouldn't be where they are right now, and it will help them succeed in their future.
1. I expect to learn from you more about the specifics of the U.S. government system this nine weeks, and to understand more about the historical aspects of the government and why laws were put in place for what reasons. My expectations for you as a teacher are to explain and help me to understand the complexities of our government system, and to give me the information I need to form my own opinions about the government.
ReplyDelete2.We should care about the government and politics because these things affect our everyday lives tremendously. If we do not understand how our government works it would be impossible for us to be good citizens and contribute to our country and play a part in the decisions that affect us.
Oh and here is a link that helps describe both perspectives of the NYC mosque blog questions, and a true American ad,
ReplyDeletehttp://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2010/08/23/putting-the-ground-zero-mosque-in-perspective/
Honestly I don't know why so many people voted yes to that question and can still stand to call themselves American. I know that the government shouldn’t be able to regulate the construction of the mosque due to the first amendment, making their actions unconstitutional due to freedom of religious practices and whatnot, but after what happened on 9/11 I think the circumstances are a bit different. Being just two blocks away it is almost as if they are taunting New York of what happened, using the mosque as like the ad says, a trophy of what happened on that tragic day in America. And that is just unacceptable. So in respect for those who lost their life in the attack, in respect for those who risked their life to help, and in respect for America that mosque should not exist, and the issue put the rest now as the day we are remembered of what happened on that gruesome morning approaches.
Andre Gide said that "The only true education comes from what goes counter to you." It is not enough in a course like AP Government to be told the political opinions of others. Facts are not an education, just the foundation for a wider expanse of knowledge. In this course, I hope to not only be academically challenged, but to be exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. Learning about our government and political history is just a plus: the most important thing to me is learning how to think. So far I'm excited about how many times during a single class period we are presented with a current topic or subject, tought the history behind why it is an issue, shown the facts, and then challenged to create our own opinion and back them up. It's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAs for caring about our government, whether we like it or not, we are part of this country and part of this world. Simply put, we cannot escape even if it was our greatest desire. That can either be highly depressing or it can be strangely eye-opening. Everything that happens in Washington directly affects us one way or another, if only for the sole reason that we are all part of the human race. It is easy for us here in America to take our way of life for granted: we live in country that allows us to make choices, to live our lives in a way that suits our beliefs. But what if we couldn't? What if our government restricted who we could be, how we could dress, what we could by? Would we care about the government then? It's easy to forget how good we have it, but that is no excuse for neglecting our roots.
Oh and here is a link that helps describe both perspectives of the NYC mosque blog questions, and a true American ad dealing with the situation at hand,
ReplyDeletehttp://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2010/08/23/putting-the-ground-zero-mosque-in-perspective/
Honestly I don't know why so many people voted yes to that question and can still stand to call themselves American. I know that the government shouldn’t be able to regulate the construction of the mosque due to the first amendment, making their actions unconstitutional due to freedom of religious practices and whatnot, but after what happened on 9/11 I think the circumstances are a bit different. Being just two blocks away it is almost as if they are taunting New York of what happened, using the mosque as like the ad says, a trophy of what happened on that tragic day in America. And that is just unacceptable. So in respect for those who lost their life in the attack, in respect for those who risked their life to help, and in respect for America that mosque should not exist, and the issue put the rest now as the day we are remembered of what happened on that gruesome morning approaches.