Name of Vampy Class: Presidential Politics Instructor: Dennis Jenkins Teacher at Warren Central High School (B.G., Kentucky) (1994-­‐Present) & Social Studies Dept. Head at WCHS (1998-­‐Present) AP Certified Teacher of U.S. History (WKU AP Certification since 2003) & National Board Certification (2006-­‐Present) Former Director of Residential Living WKU VAMPY (1999-­‐2001) & Residential Counselor at WKU VAMPY (1991-­‐1995, 1997) Instructor @ VAMPY (Civil War 2006 & Presidential Politics 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Presidential Politics Class Overview for 2016: This class will explore a variety of issues and decisions that American presidents have faced since 1968. An emphasis will be given to some of the more pivotal decisions, events & elections that have impacted our nation’s history during the last 50 years beginning with the presidency of Richard Nixon through President Obama. The class will debate issues that our former and modern presidents have dealt with. Students will participate in debates, discussions, and projects that will enhance their knowledge of presidential policies with the goal of improving student’s analytical & critical thinking skills. We will study campaign strategies, political platforms, commercials, & the use of political satire in presidential elections. This year’s class will include a field trip to Washington D.C. Course Syllabus (Week One) Day 1: Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Introductions and Pre-­‐Assessment over Presidential Politics Examine Presidential Decisions that changed our country’s history from 1789 to 1968 & the historical impact each had on our country Analyze Criteria Used to Evaluate Presidential Leadership & Discussion over What Makes an Effective President Individual Research over one of our first 35 presidents Research the 1968 Presidential Election between Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey & George Wallace Analyze Nixon’s Foreign Policies during the Vietnam War & his Détente Policies with the Soviet Union & China Examine Nixon’s Domestic Policies Discuss other major issues of Nixon’s First Term Group Role-­‐Play the 1972 Election with President Richard Nixon & George McGovern Analyze Nixon’s Second Term & Research the Watergate Scandal Role-­‐Play the Supreme Court Case "United States vs. Nixon" Discuss President Ford’s Decision to Pardon Richard Nixon & Examine the brief presidency of Gerald Ford Role-­‐Play Debate the 1976 Election between Jimmy Carter & President Gerald Ford Analyze President Carter's Foreign Policy during the Cold War Examine Carter’s Domestic Policies during the late 1970s Role-­‐Play Debate the 1980 Presidential Election between President Carter & Ronald Reagan Analyze the Rise of Conservatism & Discuss the impact of Reaganomics during the First Term of President Reagan Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15: (Week Two) Role-­‐Play Debate the 1984 Election between President Reagan & Walter Mondale Examine Foreign Policy during the Reagan Years & Reagan's Leadership during the Cold War Watch part of John Adams Movie regarding our country declaring our independence from Britain Assessment over Presidential Politics during the administrations of Nixon, Ford, Carter, & Reagan Role-­‐Play Debate the 1988 Election between George H.W. Bush & Michael Dukakis Discuss the presidency of George H.W. Bush & Foreign Policy from 1989 to 1992 Analyze domestic policies under George H.W. Bush Field Trip to Washington D.C. (Students will need money for meals & souvenirs) Role-­‐Play Debate the 1992 Election between President George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton & Ross Perot Analyze the major issues & events of Clinton’s first terms Research court cases during the Clinton Years Watch Political Satire of the Clinton Presidency Role-­‐Play Debate the 1996 Election between President Clinton, Bob Dole, & Ross Perot Examine the major issues & events of Clinton’s Second Term (Week Three) Role-­‐Play Debate the 2000 Presidential Election between Al Gore & George W. Bush Research the Controversy behind the 2000 Presidential Election Examine the major events & issues during the first term of the George W. Bush Presidency Watch Political Satire over the 2000 Presidential Election Role-­‐Play Debate the 2004 Presidential Election between President George W. Bush & John Kerry Analyze the Second Term of the George W. Bush presidency by discussing domestic & foreign policy decisions during the Bush presidency st
Presidential Face-­‐Off Competition (1 Round)) Begin Mount Rushmore Project Role-­‐Play Debate the 2008 Presidential Election between Barack Obama & John McCain Watch Political Satire over the 2008 Presidential Election Analyze the first term of Barack Obama’s Presidency Presidential Face-­‐Off Competition (Quarterfinals) Role-­‐Play Debate the 2012 Election between President Obama & Mitt Romney & watch part of debate between Obama & Romney Discuss recent issues & events of Obama's second term as President Presidential Face-­‐Off Competition (Semi-­‐Finals) Mount Rushmore Projects Due Final Assessment over Presidential Politics (George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush & Barack Obama) Presidential Face-­‐Off Competition (Championship) Role-­‐Play the 2016 Presidential Election with campaign posters Wearing of Presidential Masks & Traveling to VAMPY classes introducing various Presidents & their wives (Rubric for Evaluation at the End of the Class that will be mailed home to parents within a few weeks at the conclusion of VAMPY) Class Participation: Debates, Discussions, Role-­‐Plays during class and Work Ethic during Study Hall Activities: Projects, Posters, Research, Thought Provokers, Analysis of Presidential Leadership Critical Thinking and Analytical Thinking Skills Concerning Presidential Politics Multiple-­‐Choice Assessments over Presidential Politics Essays and Creative Writing over Presidential Politics Presidential Face-­‐Off Performance Competition