Module 1: Discussion Forum

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Review the reading materials and engage in the discussion topics below:

• Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

After  completing the background reading, engage in a discussion that provides  your informed opinion on the topic. Make sure to include citations to  your questions/responses to help your classmates develop a deeper  understanding of the topic.

Yolande  Tumot, you must cover two questions from "American Political Culture"  and "US Constitution and Bill of Rights" topics, plus all the questions  from the "Civil Rights" in your original post.

American Political Culture 

1. Why do only 45% of Americans take part in the political process OR VOTE?
2. If we are the leading figure on Democracy in the world, why do so many Americans distrust our Political Process?
3. Compare  and contrast the priorities of the Federalists and Antifederalists for  the design of the new Constitution. Although the Federalists argued for a  stronger central government (and in many ways, they got one), the  Antifederalists won important battles, such as the adoption of the Bill  of Rights and the retention of power in the states. What does the debate  between Federalists and Antifederalists tell us about American politics  in the late eighteenth century? In what ways are the values and  concerns of these two groups similar to or different from today's  political debates?
4. Combating terrorism has entailed restrictions  on civil liberties. How can we reconcile civil liberty and national  security? Are we better off opting for more liberty or more security?  Are the two goals mutually exclusive? Have Americans become less  supportive of the limitations on liberty put into place after the terror  attacks in 2001, or do they still perceive that it makes sense to give  up some liberties in order to feel more secure?

US Constitution and Bill of Rights 

1. Did  the Constitution provide us with a Strong Central Government in DC? or  did it provide us with a Dictatorship style. E.g., D.C. now controlling  Education (No Child Left Behind)
2. Are we still a free country  under the Constitution (Bill of Rights) or has our government taken away  our rights? e.g. Patriot Act.READ: NASA Internet Mining Article 
3.  Links to an external site. 
4. Would the Foundering Fathers be happy with the way the Constitution is interpreted today?
5. In  light of the recent NSA spying on Americans. Do you believe that  government has a right to do so or is Security more important than our  constitutional right?

Civil Rights – Answer all questions for this topic.

Listen to the two-minute NPR segment about Dion Diamond 

 Links to an external site., take notes and answer  following questions.

1. What is the purpose of sit-ins?
2. Do you think student activism was important to the civil rights movement?
3. What are some examples of contemporary student activism?
4. How dangerous is it to stage a civil rights protest today in comparison to the 1960s?

 You must post three responses (200+ words minimum for each post) for  this discussion board. Please see the syllabus for additional  information on the requirements for discussion forums.