Popular Culture and Politics

Here is a list of the songs shared on Wednesday:

• The National Anthem by Jimi Hendrix (1969)
• They Don't Care About Us (1996)
• Come to the USA [The Immigration Song] (2010)
• The Government Can (2009)
• Where is the Love (2003)
• Peace Sells (1986)
• The Trees (1978)
• We Shall Overcome (1963)

In class we created a chart that examined: 

• Time Period
• Tone
• Message
• Audience 
• Imact

of each song.  Some of the songs were easier to explain or understand.  

Extension Activities:

1. Choose one song (doesn't have to be your song) and do some research about the time period the song was released.  Find out where the song was on Billboard Charts that year and if the song garnered attention (viral or critical).  Basically put the song within its historical context.   
2. Choose two songs to compare and contrast.  Use our chart topics to begin the comparison/contrast process, but expand by looking at similarities with lyrics, artists, etc.
3. Are certain genres of music more "political" than others?
4. Is it easier to target a group or an individual?  Is it easier to label a group or an individual?  How do these songs support your thoughts?  Write a brief paragraph explaining...

Homework:

1. Please bring in a "political" song if you have NOT yet shared one. Make sure it doesn't have curse words.
2. Study the language used on the four TN amendments.  We'll be going over those next week.
3. Explore Voter Registration Laws in TN and one other state.  TX has been in the news lately with their voter regulations.  
4. Bring in a current or historical political cartoon.  If you can link it to your political song that would be extra-cool.  

Prep for next week:

1. Timeline of US Voting Rights
2. 
   

3.

4. We're still looking at the Judicial System so check out this (longer) video about some important Supreme Court Cases:



We're on the downward slope to the end of the semester.  Only five more classes!  See you next week!

Bill of Rights, Court Case Scenarios, and Political Songs

Bill of Rights

I should have photographed our mnemonic device for memorizing the Bill of Rights -- the artwork was top-notch!

1. Hands
• Around mouth for Freedom of Speech
• Folded in Prayer for Freedom of Religion
• Joined for Freedom of Assembly
• Fingers for Freedom of Press
2. Naked Arms or a Bear with a gun
3. No Quarters!
4. Where is Caesar?  Where is Little Caesar? Unreasonable Search and Seizure -- the drawing of Little Caesar was unreasonable!
5. Double Jeopardy Song -- PLEADING
6. Court Bench Speeding Along
7. Bee Civil over Money -- $25
8. Don't Be Cruel or Unusual with punishment
9. I GOT's RIGHTS!
10. Drawing of Tennessee and stick people -- States and the individuals (very realistic drawings of the class over Hamblen County that could only be viewed with a microscope)

PLEASE continue to work on a working knowledge of the Bill of Rights.  

We were only able to go over two court cases that had Bill of Rights applications.  We'll revisit those next week and how the judicial system works.  Check out these links for some background knowledge:

• The Federal Court System in the United States (PDF file with some good pages about jurisdiction, etc)
• Courts 101: An Understanding of the Court System (PDF file with good graphics by the IJIS Institute)
• 
  

*example he uses may not be thoughtful, but it is a good intro to the Judiciary

In the video, Keith Hughes mentions a person and a court case we will discuss in class: 

1. Alexander Hamilton
2. Marbury Vs. Madision

Please check those out.  Do some research on your own and with Hamilton look into his connection (decades old) with Aaron Burr.

In addition to what I've mentioned, here's a rundown of this week's homework: 

1. "Cult of Personality"  I shared the song, but see if you can figure out the definition and how it applies to politics.  Is it just for those that are evil?  Can it be for someone percieved as "good"?  How does someone protect against the "cult of personality?"
2. This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie  What is the time period this song was introduced?  How does it express his ideologies?  How has it been adopted and used?
3. Use your copies of the proposed amendments to the TN Constitution to comprehend the potential changes/impact of these amendments  What are the thoughts on both sides?  
4. Watch Political Ads.  We'll  revisit the election in a week or so.  Make sure to watch the ads.
5. Find a Political Cartoon (current or historical -- if you like a decade in American History choose a cartoon from that period) to share with the class -- bring it on Wednesday.  Make sure you understand the point of the cartoon. 
6. Choose two "political" songs to share in class

• share the portion of the song that is the most "political" (long songs need to be cut down)
• have the lyrics -- at least one copy
• what is the time period of the song?
• how does the song express the time?
• what do you think the singer(s) is/are trying to accomplish or communicate?
• did the song become a "Protest Song?"
• did it accomplish any "political" action?

Please come prepared to discuss and give others your attention.  Everyone will get a chance to share!  See you Wednesday!

Bill of Rights AND Homework AND Upcoming

OK -- Sorry for the delay in updating the blog.

On Wednesday we finished going through the Bill of Rights.  Please check out this video on a quick way to memorize them:




It is quick and simple.  The Bill of Rights are basic to our understanding of liberties in the USA.  Amazinly the words penned over 200 years ago are so applicable and even contemporary.

Homework for the week: 

1. What amendment has been the most visited by the Judicial System?  I did make up a word -- "Judiciated" which is not correct, but judicate is a word.  See if you can find the definition. 
2. Find the 4 Amendments to the TN State Constitution in November and what they are all about.
3. When did TN become a state?  Find out and put within the larger timeline of US history.  Please don't just come up with the date of statehood, but make sure you associate it with other events in US history.  
4. Explore the Dred Scott case.  How did that impact the US and how do the Bill of Rights apply to it?
5. How does the Bill of Rights (esp the ones we went over this week) apply to Guantanamo Bay?
6. What is the legal definition of due process and imminent threat?  How does the Bill of Rights protect citizens in relationship to these issues?
7. Does Amendment 7 only apply to Civil lawsuits?  What does it really mean?
8. Why does America not use firing squads? 

In class this week we will explore some important court cases related to the Bill of Rights.  Know the Bill of Rights (QUIZ and reward) for the discussion.  Be prepared to talk.  We'll be splitting up into groups to work on the project AND groups will report their findings to the class.  

We are ALMOST halfway through the semester!!!  We are going to begin to explore the design of the Governemnt of the USA and POLITICS!  It is gonna be an adventure.  Please begin to be aware of popular culture and how it gives glimpses into the significant events of an era.  Listen out and look for songs that give insight into government or politics throughout the history of the USA.  Look out for art (cartoons -- political or not).  See what you can learn about the different decades (for the sake of time we'll digest it by decades) and the dynamic nature of history.  

Thanks!  See you next Wednesday!!!