Let's take a little peek at a virtual video lecture he plans to present to (some? all?) children in Tennessee grades 6-12 on October 12.
Program Guide: Key Issues in the 2004 Presidential Election
Program Provider: Vanderbilt University Virtual School [Robert Tuke]
Contact Information: Jan Zanetis,
Jan.zanetis@vanderbilt.edu, 110 21st Ave., Suite 850, Nashville, TN 37203, Phone: (615) 343-8848, Fax: (615) 343-1145
Program Title: Key Issues in the 2004 Presidential Election
Target Audience: Education: Grade(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Primary Disciplines: Community Interests, Social Studies/History
Program Description: In this videoconference, students consider the key issues in the 2004 election year. Then students will evaluate the current presidential contenders based on these issues, and research the key issues and main candidates of a past election year.
Program Format:
The videoconference will be a 20-25 minute presentation and may include visuals or audiovisuals to enhance the presentation.
This will be followed by an interactive 10-15 minute question/answer session with students.
Objectives
Students will:
1. Consider issues important in 2004 presidential election and under which circumstances students would not support a candidate based on his position regarding particular issues.
2.Examine the topic of same-sex marriage as a campaign issue.
3. Evaluate the top five issues of importance to students; create charts to compare and contrast the platforms of various 2004 presidential candidates to their own opinions.
4.Investigate the candidates and main issues from a previous election in American history as homework.
Vocabulary Words & Definitions
amend, keen, bigoted, intolerant, counterweight, perennial, biblical, parishioners, stance, pews, passage, homosexuals, disillusioned, recounted, episode, convictions
Participant Preparation
Students should have SOME familiarity with this subject. Teacher should brainstorm with students before the videoconference and ask students to prepare some sample questions to ask presenter during the interactive question/answer session.
Please have students that will ask questions seated close to the front and near a microphone. Please make sure you understand how to mute and unmute your microphones.
Suggestions for Pre Program Activities
To ensure a comprehensive list of issues, begin by visiting the "On the Issues" section of the candidates' profiles on The New York Times' "Campaign 2004" Web page (http:// www.nytimes.com/top/news/washington/campaign2004/candidates/index.html).
Make a classroom list of issues that should be included (but not limited to): abortion, affirmative action, campaign finance, death penalty, economy, education, environment, foreign policy, gay rights, gun control, healthcare, national defense, social security, and war in Iraq. After compiling the list of all issues on the board, ask students how many of them would change or re-prioritize their issues in light of a larger number of topics from which to choose. Under which circumstances would a candidate's position on a certain issue affect their support of that candidate?
Suggestions for Post Program Activities
Media Studies- How has the influx of gay topics and characters on network television affected entertainment in the past year? Poll your friends and family on their thoughts on shows such as "Will and Grace" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." How have gay-themed shows influenced their perceptions of the gay community in the United States?
Supplemental Resources
Students may wish to start their research at a site such as History Central (http:// www.multied.com/elections/index.html#history), which lists each election year in chronological order.
National Standards to which this program aligns
United States History Standard 31- Understands economic, social, and cultural developments in the contemporary United States.
Benchmarks: Understands various influences on American culture; Understands how different groups attempted to achieve their goals
Civics Standard 11- Understands the role of diversity in American life and the importance of shared values, political beliefs, and civic beliefs in an increasingly diverse American society.
Benchmarks: Knows a variety of forms of diversity in American society; Knows major conflicts in American society that have arisen from diversity; Knows ways in which conflicts about diversity can be resolved in a peaceful manner that respects individual rights and promotes the common good; Knows basic values and principles that Americans share; Knows why it is important to the individual and society that Americans understand and act on their shared political values and principles
Civics Standard 18- Understands the role and importance of law in the American constitutional system and issues regarding the judicial protection of individual rights.
Benchmarks: Understands the importance of the rule of law in establishing limits on both those who govern and the governed, protecting individual rights, and promoting the common good; Knows historical and contemporary examples of the rule of law; Understands current issues regarding judicial protection of the rights of individuals
Language Arts Standard 8- Demonstrates competence in speaking and listening as tools for learning. Benchmarks: Plays a variety of roles in group discussions; Asks questions to seek elaboration and clarification of ideas; Listens in order to understand a speaker's topic, purpose, and perspective; Conveys a clear main point when speaking to others and stays on the topic being discussed
Grades 9-12
United States History Standard 31- Understands economic, social, and cultural developments in the contemporary United States. Benchmarks: Understands the influence of social change and the entertainment industry in shaping views on art, gender, and culture; Understands major contemporary social issues and the groups
Civics Standard 11- Understands the role of diversity in American life and the importance of shared values, political beliefs, and civic beliefs in an increasingly diverse American society. Benchmarks: Knows examples of conflicts stemming from diversity, and understands how some conflicts have been managed and why some of them have not yet been successfully resolved; Knows why constitutional values and principles must be adhered to when managing conflicts over diversity; Knows beliefs that are common to American political culture
Civics Standard 18- Understands the role and importance of law in the American constitutional system and issues regarding the judicial protection of individual rights.
Benchmarks: Understands how the rule of law makes possible a system of ordered liberty that protects the basic rights of citizens; Knows historical and contemporary illustrations of the idea of equal protection of the laws for all persons; Understands the effects of Americans relying on the legal system to solve social, economic, and political problems rather than using other means, such as private negotiations, mediation, and participation in the political process; Knows historical and contemporary instances in which judicial protections have not been extended to all persons and instances in which judicial protections have been extended to those deprived of them in the past
Language Arts Standard 8- Demonstrates competence in speaking and listening as tools for learning. Benchmarks: Asks questions as a way to broaden and enrich classroom discussions; Adjusts message wording and delivery to particular audiences and for particular purposes
Cancellation Policy
The full fee will be charged to sites which cancel with less than 48 hours notice unless there is a school closing due to snow or weather emergencies.
Is video taping allowed?
No Video Taping Notes. Videotaping is NOT allowed.
Streaming Video is available for all Vanderbilt Virtual School Videoconferences.
It's not too late to stop this one Tennessee Residents!
