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Program Schedule
Welcome
(coffee & pastries)
9:00-9:30
Panel 1: Constitutional Courtroom Dramas
9:30-10:15
The Separation of Church and State (Katy DiNatale)
Abortion (Kristine Glenn)
Affirmative Action (Raynesha Usher)
Education: The Inescapable Reality (Monica Cendejas)
Panel 2: Federal Regulation and Intervention
10:30-11:15
Prohibition (Daniel Borden)
Software Copyright Issues (Jonathan Denni)
Dead Zones (Annice Rains)
Copyright Laws vs. Modern Music Industry (Shannon Page)
Panel 3: Contemporary Political Issues
11:30-12:15
Legalization of Marijuana (Bryant Johnson)
Hate Crimes: Stoppable or Unstoppable? (David Armstead)
Domestic Violence (Bianca Velez)
Lunch/Awards
(provided by ASCC)
12:15-12:45
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Student Presenters
David Armstead
I have been a student at Chabot College since August 2008. My original major that I was going to pursue was kinesiology with an ambition to become a physical therapist and strength and conditioning trainer. However, after my first two semesters, I found that I have a love for helping and understanding others. From then on the major that I am pursuing will be psychology and possibly a minor in political science. I’m very excited to be presenting my paper, which will be about hate crimes and hate groups. I’m very glad and thankful that Dr. Parker and Mr. Reynoso have chosen me to participate in this great event and hope to help make it one to remember. Some of my activities outside of school are: I participate in many different activities in my church, I am a martial arts student who also helps teach young children, and I am currently working a part time job at Borders bookstore.
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Student Presenters
Daniel Borden
I will be getting my A.A. in Liberal Arts at the end of this semester with the hope of in the future attaining my B.A. in Political Science. I was originally a business major but after the power shift in politics a year ago I feel like the issues became more relatable to me and I soon became very interested in the future of my country. I have been a passionate 49er fan for quite some time now, but while I lived and died by my team I have never affected the outcome. But with politics I feel that I actually might have the chance to change something, even if it’s small. This is partly why
I’ll be enlisting in the air force at the end of this semester. A career In the Air Force seems very exciting and it makes a career in politics a much more viable option later. My topic on prohibition is a contemporary issue, which I choose in part because of its farreaching implications into our lives and also because of its ability to polarize society. I felt it would be interesting to see the effects prohibition has had on a variety of different markets in different cultures. I would like to thank Mrs. Parker and Mr. Reynoso for setting this up for the students; I know we all appreciate this unique opportunity.
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Student Presenters
Monica Alejandra Cendejas
I am a proud Puente student and have been at Chabot for two semesters. I plan to be an active, full-time student here for an addition of three more semesters. I am planning on moving forward with my education to UCLA and pursuing my life goal of receiving my masters in English. I want to take action throughout school and become a teacher. My purpose to live is to inform people of their choices and the consequences that come from them. My paper reflects that I want every single student, parent and community member that comes my way to be aware of everything that is going on in the world, so that they can help make an impact and end any discrimination or dilemma that we face as a community and citizens. I would like to give my deepest appreciation to Sara Parker for this opportunity, Nestor Abraham
Larios and Pedro Reynoso for encouraging me to move forward with my ideas and present them to the public and my mommy for always being proud of me and my work. Thank you.
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Student Presenters
Jonathan Denni
This is my second semester at Chabot, and I’m working toward an Associate’s in Computer Science. After that, I intend to go back to the Art Institute (I was previously there for a few quarters) and finish my Bachelor’s Degree in Web Design and Interactive Media. I spend most of my time on the computer, working on websites, and I chose this topic because it is very relevant to my work, as I am essentially a software developer. I do freelance and volunteer work as a web designer, photographer, and Audio/Visual Technician, and sing for my church on Sundays. I’m also a member of Venture Crew 818 and enjoy rock climbing, white water rafting, and all kinds of shooting sports, though I don’t get to do any of those things as much as I’d like because I’m a college student with no time or money (aren’t we all…).
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Student Presenters
Katy DiNatale
Though I'm thoroughly enjoying this American Government class, my true passion is for English. I love to read. Writing, however, is a different story. The most enjoyable part of this paper was the research--when it came time to write, I spent hours staring at a blank Word document. Obviously, it's not a blank document anymore. Much of the credit goes to Dr.
Parker, who helped me organize my thoughts at the very beginning and is still helping me edit my paper. My parents also gave me ideas for new approaches to the topic, and pushed me to keep writing even when I didn't want to go anywhere near a keyboard. This topic interested me because of my own faith experience. Jesus frees me from the guilt of my own failures; because He paid for the wrong things I do, I can be at peace with God and other people. That’s amazing enough to write about!
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Student Presenters
Kristine Glenn
I am a student here at Chabot College and have attended
Chabot for two years. The subject I found that interests me the most and that I have chosen to be my major is psychology. I am only a few classes away from obtaining an AA degree. Once I have completed my AA degree, I plan on transferring to a four year university where I will continue my study of psychology. I am currently a part time student and part time employee at Macys West where I am a sales representative for Estee Lauder, a cosmetic line. The topic I chose is abortion. I chose this topic because it is and has been a very controversial issue here in America. My research paper covers the contemporary situation and debate of abortion in the
United States, the history of abortion, and also the Supreme
Court’s decision when it came to the Roe v. Wade case.
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Student Presenters
Bryant Edward Lloyd Johnson
Greetings. I have greatly enjoyed participating in Mrs. Parker’s
course. This class has provided me an excellent opportunity to improve my research skills and further my knowledge of the United States government. I would like to thank Sara Parker and Pedro Reynoso for providing exceptional instruction and direction in writing this essay. Throughout the semester, we have explored the history of our Nation’s legal system and the laws that affect our daily lives. One such regulation that caught my attention was America’s Anti-Marijuana Policies. As a majority of citizens know, marijuana is currently illegal but is somewhat permissible to be sold for medical purposes. The Federal Government needs to reform its antiquated marijuana policies and adopt a more modern approach. My speech will discuss the reasons why marijuana should be legalized.
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Student Presenters
Shannon Page
I’m currently working on my general education here at Chabot.
Although I have some ideas, I’m still trying to figure out what my actual major will be and if I’ll be transferring or not. Music has long been something I’m passionate about, and my interest in the business side of it was one of the reasons I chose the topic I did for my paper. I also love to write, both fiction and non-fiction. When I’m not in school, I can be found one of four places: my full-time retail job, my part-time job as a Student Assistant here at the Chabot Performing Arts Center, at a concert/show, or at the beach taking a walk. While I have a chance, I’d like to thank my Dad for always encouraging me as
I’ve tried to figure out a way to follow my heart.
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Student Presenters
Annice Rains
I am a first year college student here at Chabot College working to secure a transfer to a four year university where I will major in marine biology. I plan to pursue a career working to conserve marine life and work for water conservation. I chose this topic as it is very important to show that we need regulation on the food industry as it affects our health and the health of our environment. This research paper has prompted me to make many changes in my everyday life and the purchases I make. This was my first research paper and I feel it was a great jumping off point for future research. When I am not in school I have the pleasure of raising my two beautiful sons, ages six and two. I volunteer at my son’s elementary school whenever I have the opportunity. I am currently pursuing other volunteer activities for the summer with marine sanctuaries such as Gulf of the Farralones and hope to be able to involve my children with these organizations as well.
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Student Presenters
Raynesha Usher
Hi my name is Raynesha Usher; I am currently a radio/ television mass communications major here at Chabot. At the beginning of this semester my Poli Sci class was told that we were to be the first to participate in a semester long research paper on whichever topic we choose, and right from the beginning I already had an idea of what I wanted to write my paper about. This assignment “somewhat” came to me as an ease because back in high school during my junior and senior year we did something exactly like this instead it was a yearlong project which properly prepared me for what was to be expected and required for this assignment. So in knowing what I wanted to write my paper on I ultimately choose the topic of Affirmative Action in Education. I choose this topic because the issues surrounding this controversial topic have always been of interest to me, and because of that I felt it would be worth learning more about as well as informative for my fellow classmates.
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Student Presenters
Bianca Alyssa Velez
I’m 20 years old. I’m a full time student at Chabot College and I also work a full time job, which doesn’t leave time for much more.
It is my first year at Chabot and I’m studying to become an ultrasound technician. I decided to do my research paper on Domestic
Violence because I think it’s a bigger issue then people understand. I don’t think that there are many consequences for people who abuse their wives. My mom was also a major inspiration for my paper because she was a victim and she got away, although she did get away she was affected by it permanently. My paper is about the struggles of women who suffer from domestic violence and how society responds. I would like to thank my mom for always being there for me and doing whatever she could to make my life better.
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Program Description
This Spring semester students in Introduction to American Government (Political Science 1, Section 004) developed research questions relevant to the study of American Politics, engaged in college level research, and produced original papers held to high academic standards. Funded through a Basic Skills grant, students gained research skills and received classroom support from a Chabot Outreach Librarian in this research-focused, research intensive pilot version of the standard American Government course. We proudly invite you to attend the symposium to hear the finalists present their work!
Program Coordinators:
Pedro Reynoso, Librarian Sara Parker, Poli Sci Instructor preynoso@chabotcollege.edu sparker@chabotcollege.edu
Special Thanks
ASCC
Basic Skills Initiative
Chabot Library
Social Sciences Division
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