POL 115 Wk 1 Discussion – Core American Revolution Principles

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POL 115 Wk 1 Discussion - Core American Revolution Principles
POL 115 Wk 1 Discussion – Core American Revolution Principles
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POL 115 Wk 1 Discussion – Core American Revolution Principles

Week 1 Objectives: In Week 1, we are learning about the philosophical background of the US Constitution and how the American system of government was designed as a federal republic based on the principles of representative democracy. Prior to the start of the American Revolution, the American revolutionaries agreed on some core principles that necessitated the independence of the colonies from the British Monarchy.

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CLASSROOM DISCUSSION

For participation credit, you are required to contribute a total of three substantive discussion messages during the online week (Tuesday – Monday). These consist of two elements:

  1. Your formal response to one of the discussion topics (due Thursday); and,

  2. Your two subsequent replies to your classmates or your faculty member (due Monday).

 

The formal response due Thursday should strive to meet the following criteria:

  • Meet a minimum of 175 words

  • Addresses questions under one of the discussion topics;

  • Stays on topic and addresses the weekly course objectives;

  • Integrates theory, research, and/or personal observations;

  • Includes specific examples and/or substantiating evidence;

  • Includes in-text citations and references in APA format; and,

  • Demonstrates proper spelling and grammar.

  • Do not use Wikipedia, Quora, Yahoo Questions or other crowdsourced websites as references.

 

Your reply posts due Monday should be substantive in nature and be a minimum of 150 words, reflecting the qualities of REAL engagement.

  • Relevant comments are on topic and reflect course concepts and objectives.

  • Experiential in nature, reflecting real life observations, reflections and examples.

  • Ask questions of fellow classmates or instructors.

  • Link to course readings and apply these lessons to work, personal and/or educational life.

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DUE BY THURSDAY: Respond to one of the following topic options in a minimum of 175 words:

 

Topic One: American Principles: Review the readings/videos in the Learning Activities folder and then consider:

  • List at least four core principles of the American Revolution. How do these core principles apply in our modern federal republic?

  • What is federalism and how is a republic different from direct democracy? What is the purpose of a federal republic?

 

Topic Two: Influences on the US Constitution: Three primary documents that were influences on the U.S. Constitution are: the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, and the Articles of Confederation. The primary philosophical thinkers who were influences on the U.S. Constitution are: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles Louis Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. After reviewing the readings on this topic in the Week 1 Learning Activities Folder, consider the following:

  • What aspects of these documents and philosophical positions do you see represented in the U.S. Constitution?

  • How did these documents and philosophical positions influence the authors of the U.S. Constitution to divide political power and choose officers, in order to limit government power?

  • What was left out?

  • How is U.S. Constitution different from these early governing documents?

  • If you were using these early governing documents and philosophical positions as guidance to create a Constitution, do you agree or disagree with what was included? And why?

 

Topic Three: Federalists v. Anti-Federalists Debate: After the Constitutional Convention of 1787 had ended and the proposed Constitution had been submitted to the American people for ratification, public debates raged between those who supported the Constitution (the Federalists) and those who opposed it (the Anti-Federalists). One of the central issues in the debates was whether it would be possible to unite the 13 states into one great nation, under one federal government, in such a way that the individual states and their respective governments would not be eliminated – and with them, the means of securing the liberties of the citizens of America. After reviewing the readings on this topic in the Week 1 Learning Activities folder, consider the following:

  • What did each group believe that influenced the U.S. Constitution?

  • Which group promoted federalism as a system of government and why?

  • Which group promoted individual civil liberties and why?

  • Which viewpoint do you think is more important as it affects our lives today?

 

DUE BY MONDAY

  • Reply to your instructor and your classmates with at least two more substantive messages.

  • Address different discussion topics/questions in your reply posts than the topic of your initial post.

  • Be constructive and professional in your responses.