All final projects are due on Monday, May 23rd!
If your group is not prepared to present when called randomly, your project will be considered late. Late work is not accepted one week prior to the end of the term, per the student handbook. A late final project will result in a zero.
Scenario
500 Years in the Future...
The Earth can no longer support human life. You and a community of 20,000 international colonists have been invited to form a new society on an earth-like exoplanet.
Imagine that your committee (3-4 students) has been tasked with forming a new government for this new nation.
The Earth can no longer support human life. You and a community of 20,000 international colonists have been invited to form a new society on an earth-like exoplanet.
Imagine that your committee (3-4 students) has been tasked with forming a new government for this new nation.
Your Task
1) Write a paper describing the new government in detail
2) Create a constitution
3) A tri-fold board or an infomercial which introduces future colonists to the government and society created by your committee of 3-4, and convinces colonists that your nation is the right choice for them.
2) Create a constitution
3) A tri-fold board or an infomercial which introduces future colonists to the government and society created by your committee of 3-4, and convinces colonists that your nation is the right choice for them.
Instructions
Part One: Preparation for paper writing!
Step 1: Decide on a name, a motto and a flag for your new colony. The name should reflect the ideals of your new government and the flag should be highly symbolic of your new society.
Create your nation's flag on a piece of paper (at least 8x11). You may draw your flag free-hand or use a computer program.
Write an in-depth description of your flag. What do the colors of the flag mean? What symbols did you choose and why?
Create your nation's flag on a piece of paper (at least 8x11). You may draw your flag free-hand or use a computer program.
Write an in-depth description of your flag. What do the colors of the flag mean? What symbols did you choose and why?
Step 2: Brainstorm! Which aspects of American democracy work for you? Why? Which aspects could be altered or removed to create a better system of government? Think about things such as protected rights and liberties, the way in which all aspects of government function and interact (congress, the president, the supreme court, the media, the bureaucracy, etc.), and the way in which certain political institutions function currently (the supreme court, the electoral college, etc.). Make a list of the most important changes!
Step 3: Decide on the system of government your new colony will adopt.
On a separate sheet of paper. Explain your group's reasoning for deciding upon that specific type of government (republic, direct democracy, a combination of the two?) Why did you select that government type over any of the others? (2 paragraphs)
1-2 paragraphs explaining the philosophical and historical basis for your type of government. Which philosophical figures was your committee influenced most by? Which political philosophies and writings? How did those philosophies help your group decide which form of government you would adopt for your colony?
For your final essay, you will need direct quotations from primary sources, as well as any convincing historical/modern evidence to support your decision.
On a separate sheet of paper. Explain your group's reasoning for deciding upon that specific type of government (republic, direct democracy, a combination of the two?) Why did you select that government type over any of the others? (2 paragraphs)
1-2 paragraphs explaining the philosophical and historical basis for your type of government. Which philosophical figures was your committee influenced most by? Which political philosophies and writings? How did those philosophies help your group decide which form of government you would adopt for your colony?
For your final essay, you will need direct quotations from primary sources, as well as any convincing historical/modern evidence to support your decision.
Step 4: Constitution
Constitutions should reflect the basic ideals of the ancient republic of the United States and must include at least the following:
The rights/responsibilites of the government
The rights/liberties of the people
How laws are made, judged, executed, and upheld.
Constitutions should reflect the basic ideals of the ancient republic of the United States and must include at least the following:
The rights/responsibilites of the government
The rights/liberties of the people
How laws are made, judged, executed, and upheld.
Step 5: The Political Environment
The committee must then explain the role of the government in terms of the following issues. Each issue must be thoroughly explained in 1-2 paragraphs each
1. Social Hierarchy: What are the social classes in your society and what is the place and purpose of those social classes.
2. Role of Religion: How does your government view religion? Is more than one religion allowed? No religion at all? Why or why not?
3. Economic Strategies: How does your nation raise money? How does it spend money?
The committee must then explain the role of the government in terms of the following issues. Each issue must be thoroughly explained in 1-2 paragraphs each
1. Social Hierarchy: What are the social classes in your society and what is the place and purpose of those social classes.
2. Role of Religion: How does your government view religion? Is more than one religion allowed? No religion at all? Why or why not?
3. Economic Strategies: How does your nation raise money? How does it spend money?
Step 6: Political Parties and Politicians
What are the names of the powerful parties. What are their platforms? (at least 3 paragraphs)
Explain which type of party system your government will adopt. Multiparty? Single-party? Two-party?
Which does the committee think is the most effective and why?
How will your elections be held?
Who are the important politicians in your government (Provide a brief (1 paragraph) bibliography for each important politician).
Do you have a president? A prime minister? A king? Multiple executive? Who are the leaders in Congress?
What are the names of the powerful parties. What are their platforms? (at least 3 paragraphs)
Explain which type of party system your government will adopt. Multiparty? Single-party? Two-party?
Which does the committee think is the most effective and why?
How will your elections be held?
Who are the important politicians in your government (Provide a brief (1 paragraph) bibliography for each important politician).
Do you have a president? A prime minister? A king? Multiple executive? Who are the leaders in Congress?
Part TWO: Putting it all together
1. Decide which format your group's presentation will take (tri-fold or video infomercial). Then ask Ms. Mendoza for the corresponding rubric.
2. Begin the written portion of your project. (100 points total)
TOTAL: Approximately 16 full, complete, well-written paragraphs about your new nation.
Refer to handout for layout, and necessary included information.
3. Begin your nation's constitution. (50 points total)
NOTE: The written history/research/justification portion and the constitution portion are to be turned in SEPARATELY.
2. Begin the written portion of your project. (100 points total)
TOTAL: Approximately 16 full, complete, well-written paragraphs about your new nation.
Refer to handout for layout, and necessary included information.
3. Begin your nation's constitution. (50 points total)
NOTE: The written history/research/justification portion and the constitution portion are to be turned in SEPARATELY.