EXTRA CREDIT

Extra credit opportunities will be available throughout the semester. These assignments will add points to short paper and quiz grades. It will be the responsibility of students to monitor postings of extra credit assignments on the course website.

American Values Word Cloud Extra Credit
Go to http://www.constitutionfacts.com/?page=50QTest3.cfm and Complete a 50 question Quiz on the Constitution. Complete this 50 question quiz making note of those questions that gave you trouble.  After completing the quiz you must print out your results page and give me a hard copy of this printout. Please make sure your name is written somewhere on the page. Also, you are to write a one paragraph response on which questions you thought were difficult or easy and what new information you now know about the Constitution that you didn’t before. This extra credit assignment will be due by 7:00am February 8, 2019 and the points earned (5 points possible) will be added to whatever grade you receive on Short Paper #1. . You can e-mail or bring a hard copy of the assignment to class.

Short Paper #1 Extra Credit
In 1-2 double-spaced pages (12 font Times New Roman) respond to the following: Why is Brown v. Board of Education considered one of the most important Supreme Court rulings in the last 60 years? (Note: I am not asking you to describe your personal opinions on the case – whether you agree or disagree with desegregation – but rather to discuss the importance of the overturning of the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine. Specifically, address the following questions:

1. Briefly summarize the majority decision and explain its historical importance.
2. Do inequities still exist within the educational system nearly 60 years after Brown v. Board of Education? If so, describe and provide a brief explanation.

This extra credit opportunity is due by 7:00am March 15, 2019 and the points earned (5 points possible) will be added to whatever grade you receive on Short Paper #1.

The links below may help you complete this extra credit opportunity:

• History of Brown v. Board of Education
• The Global Impact of Brown v. Board of Education
• Progress and Challenges 60 Years After Brown v. Board

Presidential Campaign Video Extra Credit
Watch The Choice 2016 OR The Choice 2008.Then using examples from the film, lectures, and readings respond to the following: Do campaigns and campaign advertisements reflect citizens’ interests? In what ways did the candidates gain attention (positively and negatively)? What strategies did candidates use (logos, slogans, etc.) to get their message across (positively and negatively)? Did you see anything that surprised you? Did you learn anything new or was something reinforced after watching documentary?  Provide examples from the documentary in your response. This response should be two double-spaced pages (12 font Times New Roman) and may be written in first person. A reference page is required if drawing from or citing any literature not in the syllabus. This extra credit opportunity is due by 7:00am Thursday, April 26, 2019 and the points earned (10 points possible) will be added to whatever grade you receive on the Presidential Campaign Video.

The Choice 2016 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7uScWHcTzk

The Choice 2008 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpEpg12kEnc

Additional Extra Credit 

Option 1

Write a letter to your local senator (to look up your representative name visit: http://www.mass.gov/legis/) expressing your stance on Massachusetts House Bill 4975. This law signed by Governor Deval Patrick on July 2, 2010 prohibits text messaging and using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Discuss what you think are the pros and cons of this bill as well as similar cell-phone legislation in the Commonwealth.  Do you think this legislation goes far enough in attempting to prevent distracted drivers?  To read this bill or find more information on Massachusetts Cell-Phone Driving Laws visit: http://handsfreeinfo.com/massachusetts-cell-phone-laws-legislation. In 1-2 double-spaced pages (12 font Times New Roman) respond to the questions above. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (10 points possible) will be added to your point total.

Option 2
On March 29, 2016 there were five candidates in the Presidential Race: Ted Cruz (R), John Kasich (R), Donald Trump (R), Hillary Clinton (D), and Bernie Sanders (D). Choose one of the candidates and draw or photoshop an image that describes the candidate’s brand. In addition, you must a 1-2 page paper describing why you choose the image you did to represent the candidate. For example, if you were to draw a brand representing then Senator Barack Obama was running to be President of the United States in 2008 it may include the words “hope and change” and “post-partisanship.” In addition, it may include images of Bush since he constantly reminded voters that he was the best option for those frustrated with failed Bush policy and constant gridlock in Washington. Also, his brand might include a microphone or text as his inspirational speeches and words (e.g., Yes We Can and ‘A More Perfect Union’) inspired a nation leading to an increase in voter turnout . Lastly, his brand image might include either a Facebook logo because his campaign’s use of online and social media tools allowed millions of supporters to easily get involved in the campaign, in a way never seen before in American elections. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (10 points possible).

Option 3
Watch the debate between Jay Gonzalez and Governor Charlie Baker on October 9, 2018 debate and in a 1-2 page double-spaced (12 font Times New Roman) critique respond to the questions below. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (10 points possible) will be added to your point total.
What was the first question asked during the debate (e.g., MBTA, economy, pending snow storm, etc)?
What was the best one-liner delivered during the debate and why?
What was the last question asked during the debate (e.g., 2016 Budget, opioid abuse, etc.)?
Overall, how would you rate the debate? Did you hear any new proposals? Were you surprised by the audience reaction to a few of the answers?

Option 4
Watch the debate between Senator Elizabeth Warren and State Rep. Geoff Diehl on October 30, 2018 debate and in a 1-2 page double-spaced (12 font Times New Roman) critique respond to the questions below. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (10 points possible) will be added to your point total.
What was the first question asked during the debate (e.g., MBTA, economy, pending snow storm, etc)?
What was the best one-liner delivered during the debate and why?
What was the last question asked during the debate (e.g., 2016 Budget, opioid abuse, etc.)?
Overall, how would you rate the debate? Did you hear any new proposals? Were you surprised by the audience reaction to a few of the answers?

Option 5
Watch President Trump’s 2019 State of the Union and in a 1-2 page double-spaced (12 font Times New Roman) critique respond to the questions below. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (10 points possible) will be added to your point total.
What was the first topic mentioned during the State of the Union (e.g., Border wall, economy, surveillance, etc)?
What was the best one-liner delivered during the State of the Union and why?
What was the last topic mentioned during the State of the Union (e.g., Budget, opioid abuse, etc.)?
Overall, how would you rate the State of the Union? Did you hear any new proposals? Were you surprised by the audience reaction to anything said?

Option 6
Watch CNN’s Town Hall with Bernie Sanders and in a 1-2 page double-spaced (12 font Times New Roman) critique respond to the questions below. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (10 points possible) will be added to your point total.
What was the first issue/question asked during the debate (e.g., free college, economy, Donald Trump, etc)?
What was the best one-liner delivered during the Town Hall and why?
What was the last question asked during the Town Hall (e.g., How will he win, opioid abuse, etc.)?
Overall, how would you rate the Town Hall? Did you hear any new proposals? Were you surprised by the audience reaction to a few of the questions/answers?

Option 7
Watch any one of the webinars provided below and receive an additional 10 points added to your overall grade. In order to receive credit you must write 1-2 page double-spaced (12 font Times New Roman) summary of the webinar. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (40 points possible) will be added to your point total.
The sessions are as follows:

Governing by Tweet: The Changing Standards of the Printable, Acceptable, and Responsible
Conservatism and Elections: Untangling the Philosophy
Progressives: Are they for progress?
Political Parity Webinar: Sex, Bipartisanship, and Collaboration in the U.S. Congress

Option 8
The 2016 Election Analysis Series takes an in-depth look at this historic election year. Each 45-minute session is free and features distinguished speakers offering innovative, pedagogical ideas, inspirational insights, and best practices to help you cover the election results in your upcoming classes. Watch any one of the webinars provided below and receive an additional 10 points added to your overall grade. In order to receive credit you must write 1-2 page double-spaced pages (12 font Times New Roman) summary of the webinar. This extra credit opportunity is due by May 16, 2019 and the points earned (90 points possible) will be added to your point total.
The sessions are as follows:

Interpreting the 2016 Election Results (Professor Paul Light, New York University)
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: The State of American Politics Post-Election and What to Expect Moving Forward (Dr. Larry J. Sabato, University of Virginia)
Election 2016: Fear and Loathing on Steroids (Professor Keith Gaddie, University of Oklahoma)
Did Political Science Survive the 2016 Presidential Election? (Professor David Doherty, Loyola University Chicago)
Predicting the Presidency: What Lies Ahead? (Professor George Edwards, Texas A&M University)
Thinking Institutionally in an Age of Trump (Professor Will Howell, University of Chicago)
The 2016 Election and the U.S. Supreme Court (Professor Christine Nemacheck, College of William & Mary)
The 2016 Presidential and Congressional Elections(Professor David Magleby, Brigham Young University)
What We Know…and Don’t Know About Presidential Elections (Professor Joanne Green, Texas Christian University)\

To watch any of these Webinars by clicking HERE.
*Click the view the webinar link underneath each title.

Option 9
Attend any one of the events provided below and receive an additional 5 points added to your overall grade. In order to receive credit you must provide “evidence” of your attendance (e.g., photo you at the event, handout from the event, etc.).

A Compelling Conversation with Wade Davis

A Compelling Conversation with Roxanne Gay