How Free is Free Speech (contd.)

Today we continued to look at the case studies that we started yesterday in class.
Here is the link to the "answers"

How free is free speech?

After discussing the Texas v. Johnson case, we'll continue to look at protests and consider notions of our freedoms and liberties as it's important to have a fuller understanding of the intent and purpose of the speech clause of the First Amendment as well as its limitations.
Thus, today, we'll read this document to understand those principles and limitations: First Principles of the First Amendment. After reading its main principles, in groups, you'll work to understand the limitations of the First Amendment by putting them into your own words.
Then, we'll work to apply those principles and the limitations tests to some real case studies. Your group should choose one note taker who will make a copy of the note taking sheet, share it with everyone and keep track of your conversations in the first THREE columns of the note-taking sheet. Leave the last column blank for the answers.
First Amendment Case Studies
Case Studies Note Taking

Here are your groups for today:

Group #1 Cassandra Brooke Bailey Savanna	Group #2 Zach Alexa A. Sophia Hannah	Group #3 Ally Emma Billy	Group #4 Alexa W. Scott Ty	Group #5 Stephen Will Marissa
Group #6 Nickko Charlie Laith	Group #7 Leah Carly Vittoria	Group #8 Alana Adam Trevor

Blogapalooza

We'll start today by exploring our new blogs. When blogging, ultimately, we want to have as many readers as possible. At times this year, we'll try to ensure that happens by using our blogs as another form of discussion and a way to share our ideas and then hopefully, inspire each other to be regular readers. Thus, here are your tasks.

1. Read the latest post on the blog just below yours on our class list of blogs.
2. Initiate a conversation by posting a comment that responds to the post. Make sure that you agree or disagree with the point made and then continue with some analysis explaining your initial point. Feel free to pose a question that would push the conversation forward. 
3. Repeat steps one and two for another classmate's blog of your choice.
4. Finish your responses to Texas v. Johnson that you started on Friday. We'll discuss the case today in class if time, if not, then please make sure it's finished by the start of class tomorrow.

Burn Baby Burn

Today we'll consider the question that Adam raised yesterday about "soft" vs. "hard" protest. After discussing what a "hard protest" might be, we'll examine one that some might consider to be just that, the burning of the American Flag. Questions about whether this is permitted under the First Amendment reached the Supreme Court in the case Texas v. Johnson. We'll watch the film For Which it Stands and read excerpts from the majority and dissenting opinions of Texas v. Johnson to continue our debate.
Texas v. Johnson Notes and Opinions

Homework for the weekend is to do a blog post about an issue of your choosing.

Take a Knee?

Today, we'll begin by exploring the ongoing controversy of athletes "taking a knee" during the National Anthem in protest of American policies and conditions.
First, we'll choose one of the following articles to read:

1. U.S. Fencer and Hammer Thrower Lead Silent Protest at Pan-American Games
2. U.S. Fencer Takes Knee at Pan-Am Games in Protest (read comments too)
3. I'm Proud to Be an American Fencing Champion. Here's Why I Knelt for Our Anthem (read comments too)

If interested, here is some additional background on NFL Protests: NFL Protests Explained.

We'll also watch a short video, released by Colin Kaepernick.

Finally, here is an article about the recent deal cut between the NFL and Jay-Z's Roc Nation and the controversy it inspired.

Let's Blog!

Today you will all become part of what has become known as the blogosphere, a modern day adaptation of the public square where intense debates about the issues of the day happen.  In a tradition that has its roots in early American society, the public comes together to explore interesting and provocative ideas.  In 2019, that universe has expanded to allow anyone's ideas to be put into the marketplace for the world to see or hear.  Even more so than in the past, bloggers have become "influencers"- able to set agendas, terms of debate and policy. 
Today, you will set up a blog that will hopefully allow you to do just that.

What does a blog look like?  Explore the following sites to search for blogs and get a sense for what they look like and what issues and topics they cover.  As you'll see, they can be about almost anything. 

• Top 15 most popular blogs August 2019
• Best of the Web Blogs
• Note-if you google "best blogs" you'll see lists of best blogs for many different specific topics.

So, let’s make a blog! (Note-make sure that you are signed in with your school gmail account).  We are going to use Google's Blogger platform called "Blogger" to create our blogs.  Find it in your Google Apps or you can click here.  Note-it may ask you to create a Google+ profile which you may (although this takes longer) or you can continue with a limited blogger profile (I would start here and then upgrade to Google+ later if you wish) Then:

1. Click the button to create a new blog. 
2. Decide on a catchy title for your blog.
3. Identify an available URL for your blog.
4. Choose a template to begin (don't worry, you can customize this later)
5. Then click "Create Blog" 

Some things to consider as you begin to blog

• Choosing a design. There are many different templates and ways to customize  Click on the Template link on the left side to choose. However, I encourage you to choose one that makes it easy to navigate and see your posts. Please choose one that allows you to see your entire post without clicking. 
• The layout tab allows you to change the layout of your blog and add gadgets-gadgets allow  you to post links, add pages, have newsfeeds, etc.
• Click on the settings tab and then language and formatting to change to Central Time Zone.
• Warnings before going too far
  • Audience
  • Privacy - no full names, personal information
  • Expectations - tone, respect, acceptable topic

Blogging-so now that your blog has been created, you are ready to post.  You can create a new post from your blogger dashboard or from your blog itself (as long as you are signed in). Remember, anyone can see and comment on your post so consider your audience.  
You can also incorporate images, videos, and links in your posts.  As we continue to blog this year, I will show you how to do this.

Need help?     

·         http://www.google.com/support/blogger/

So, here are your ultimate tasks for today (and tonight if you don't finish in class):

1.  Create a blog!
2.  Think of a catchy title.  Make sure you add a description of what you want your blog to be or to express.
3.  E-mail Mr. Kramer with the name of your blog and its URL address.  He will create a link to it on the class blog.
4. Write your first post. For your first topic, you will reflect on the article that you read for homework. 

• In what ways do you see division in our society? How has it impacted you or your vision of America? What, if anything, can be done to correct it. You must use information from the article that you read for homework to support your points.
• Read this article from this morning's news: The 1619 Project and the Far Right Fear of History and then add to your post. In what ways does this story reflect the division in American society? Where do you find yourself in the debate over the project? Should people pay attention or not? 

We All Have Issues

Welcome to Issues in Modern America. We'll spend today getting to know each other a little bit and learning some information about the class. Students should read the following article prior to class tomorrow (It's a couple of years old at this point but as you read, consider what is still relevant and meaningful to your understanding of "modern America".
How America Became So Divided
How America Became So Divided (printable version)