September 29th, 2010

A primary source is a source from the time period that is being studied.

Example:

A secondary source is a source that was written after the the event or time that it happened.
A textbook is an example of a secondary source.

Students last class had to compare primary sources with the text books in class.

September 27th, 2010

Types of taxes:                            

Income- Controlled by Federal Government.

Property- Property taxes are paid to the town.               

Fees and Fines- Paid to the state.

Sales- Also decided by State.

Levels of Government:

Federal- Creates programs, controls and pays the military as well as administration.

State- Also creates programs and infrastructure(highways, etc.) 

Municipal- Also helps with infrastructure and services(firemen, police)

Students who are interested in knowing which states are the "wealthiest".

State Income

Social Contract Theory: The agreement to give up your rights to maintain order.

Social Contract

Still don't understand Locke, Hobbes and Rousseau still?

Here is something that should help you:

Locke, Hobbes and Rousseau table

Homework: Chapter 4 sections one and two in the book.

Notes encouraged.

Due next class.

QUIZ ON FRIDAY!

September 23rd, 2010

Why do people obey?

Class began today with a game of 'Simon Says', which leads to the important question Why do people obey?

Students were asked to brainstorm some ideas: Fear, convenience, inferiority, respect, consequences for not complying, cultural norms, potential benefits, social conformity.

What is the difference between obedience and duty?

Is duty for others and obedience for self-preservation?

Is duty responsibility?

Is duty a moral obligation?

Jean Jacques Rousseau would say government can not make people want or feel it is necessary to have duty, and obedience can not be forced, because remember, Rousseau believed that society is corrupt, but individual people are good. However, he believes that people understand they have to obey, but as soon as it is taken away, they'll do what they want. 

Term(s) to know:

General Will- The desire or interest of the whole.

Essays were due this class.

No homework.

September 21st, 2010

Security or Liberty?

Would you give up your liberty to be safe?

Students talked about liberty vs. Security today.

They were faced with the question: what is important to you? Liberty or security?

Terms to know:

Social Contract Theory- The agreement to give up your rights for the safety of the people. 

Locke: John Locke had a rather optimistic view on humans. He saw that they had a cooperative, good and tolerant state of nature. He believed that property was supposed to be protected and was very important. 

Hobbes: Thomas Hobbes believed that humans were mean, brutish, short and power hungry. He felt that government was needed to keep people in line.

Rousseau: Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that humans were good and society made them corrupt. He felt that government was temporary.

Sovereign: High power.

Want more info on Locke, Rousseau or Hobbes? Here are some links to some websites:
http://www.iep.utm.edu/hobmoral --->Thomas Hobbes
http://www.thomas-hobbes.com --->Thomas Hobbes
http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96jun/rousseau.html --->Rousseau
http://www.iep.utm.edu/locke --->John Locke.

Students who did not present their project last class must present to Mr. Long immediately.
There is an optional essay due next class: What are the Original "American Values?"
Use Primary Sources!
There is no other homework.

September 17th, 2010

This blog has been created to help students in Mr. Longs US History classes to obtain things you have missed in class, get an overview of happened and as a reminder for homework, projects, test and quiz dates.


Started class off by getting into groups and presenting posters students have made. The posters represented various values and how they might have changed over time. Such as superiority, which, according to one student is that it is still very much alive. They took time to explain posters and answered questions about it.


Overarching question: In what ways is the past a part of the present, in what ways is it a departure?

What does it "mean" to be an American?

Some responses: It means to be better then everyone else.

It means to want power and have influence over other countries.

We're hypocritical and even though we say we're free, there is still segregation and the rights aren't equal among everyone.

International traders.