Homework for Week March 8 - 15

Assignment 1 - For those who have not yet gone, be prepared to give your oral presentation on "Conversations" on March 15....Anyone not prepared will receive a zero...

Assignment 2 - Topics and debate questions should have been turned in to Mr. Norm. Visit debatepedia.com website to work on debate and continue to develop questions by researching. You may copy and paste info to the debatepedia site to support each side of the arguments, but if material is copyrighted, you may not do so. Try to study and develop the arguments in your own words. Final debate in completed form on site due MAY

Assignment 3 - Click on link below for video and articles on the Watergate scandal involving President Nixon. Watch the video and read the articles carefully, taking careful notes. Summarize what you learned in a paragraph or two (a couple) or three ( a few) or four (several) and list the issues involved in which the Constitution and the concept of the separation of powers was attacked/challenged.

Focus on the following and use them as a guide for your summary:
the concept of executive privilege - what is it and how did Pres. Nixon use executive privilege to avoid legal action against him? Is it constitutional?

obstruction of justice - what specifically did Nixon do to commit the crime of obstruction of justice?

abuse of power - how did Nixon abuse power and how did his actions impact the office of president, future presidents, and how the office is seen/respected?

the role of the press as a check on the abuse of power - what role does the press play in checkin those in power? Can the press abuse it's power and role? How?

impeachment process - what was Nixon going to be impeached for? What does the Constitution say an impeachable offense is?

presidential pardon - what is a pardon? Was it wise for Pres. Ford to pardon Pres. Nixon? Why do you think he decided to pardon him?

what was the legacy of Watergate? How did it affect how citizens viewed government/power overall?

the greatest of checks on power can be overcome when?


Links


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFID6Qkwh88


http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/eamc_06/eamc_06_02679.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/watergate/#chapters


*** Let Mr. Norm know about field trips by March 15 - info on dates and times on last week's HW ****