Tuesday, September 4-Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Today, we read and discussed the influences of the Greek philosopher Aristotle and his ideas about the middle class and compared that to what is happening in the U.S. with the "disappearing middle class."  As we read we speculated as to the effects of a disappearing middle class on our economy.

Tonight, begin reading on pg 12.  As you read identify the contributions to democracy of Judaism, Christianity, the Renaissance, and the Reformation.

Tuesday, August 28-Wednesday, August 29

Today we read about the beginnings of democracy and we read an excerpt from philosopher Aristotle and discussed his ideas about the importance of the middle class in a democracy.  Your assignment is due on Thursday, August 30 ("A" days) or Tuesday, September 4 ("B" days).

1) Read Disappearing Middle-Class Jobs or Why Middle Class Jobs are Disappearing...

After you read the article and analyze what Aristotle says about the middle class. If Aristotle is right about the importance of the middle class, what effect do you think the “disappearing” middle-class will have on our democracy?

Friday, August 24-Monday, August 27

Today we spent time discussing the foundations of our democracy and our world.  We discussed what democracy is and where we see it today.  We also discussed the CA State Standards and Objectives that we will be covering:

10.1 Students relate the moral and ethical principles in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, in Judaism, and in Christianity to the development of Western political thought.

1. Analyze the similarities and differences in Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman views of law, reason and faith, and duties of the individual.
2. Trace the development of the Western political ideas of the rule of law and illegitimacy of tyranny, using selections from Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics.
3. Consider the influence of the U.S. Constitution on political systems in the contemporary world.

10.2 Students compare and contrast the Glorious Revolution of England, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution and their enduring effects worldwide on the political expectations for self-government and individual liberty.

     1. Compare the major ideas of philosophers and their effects on the democratic revolutions in England, the United States, France, and Latin America (e.g., John Locke, Charles-Louis Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Simón Bolívar, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison).

2. List the principles of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights (1689), the American Declaration of Independence (1776), the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789), and the U.S. Bill of Rights (1791).

Your assignment will be due on Thursday, August 30 ("A" days) or Tuesday, September 4 ("B" days).

1.  Unit 1 Vocabulary-define each term. 

Wednesday, August 22-Thursday, August 23

Today we went over class expectations as well as the class syllabus.  Your assignment is due on Friday, August 24 ("A" days) or Monday, August 25 ("B" days).

Review this information with your parents.  Return an initialed copy of the parent letter.

Enjoy this easy homework assignment. It will be one of your last.

Monday, August 20-Tuesday, August 21

Hello.  This is Mr. Palacios homework blog.  We will be covering a lot of information this year and discussing a lot of interesting subjects.  I really want to start off by getting to know you.  A few quick things about me:
1)  I love laughing.
2)  I have taught mostly in South Central
3)  I love my job and my colleagues.  They are great.
4)  I love history.

There are two homework assignments for today.  The first is mandatory.  The second is extra credit.  Both are due on Wednesday, August 22 (if you have me on an "A" day) or Thursday, August 24 (if you have me on a "B" day).

1)  Bring to class a composition book or a spiral notebook.

2) Find out who my cousin is.