AP Government
Mrs. Ljunggren
ljunggrenc@billingsschools.org
2012 Summer Assignment
This summer our country will in the middle phase of a presidential campaign and when school begins in the fall we will be following the election process in great detail. In preparation for our work together I would like your summer work to focus on the presidential election. First, I would like you to choose the presidential candidate you would most likely support. Your choices would be Mitt Romney, the potential and likely Republican nominee or President Obama, the Democratic candidate. I would also accept any other candidate that has qualified to be placed on the ballot in Montana. Find out as much as you can about your chosen candidate. Do some background research; develop a thorough understanding of their position on several key issues that are important to you.
Secondly, at least twice weekly (minimum) watch news shows, read political commentary (i.e. Huffington Post, Politico or many others), read newspapers, news magazines etc. In other words, immerse yourself in information from the media regarding the campaign and your candidate. You will keep a log of your political research as well as your personal thoughts, feelings and reactions regarding the people, their positions, and the events of the campaign. You will record all of this information in a journal which you will turn in when school resumes in the fall.
Your journal will include the following:
-Log of sources you have watched or read (Research)
-Thoughtful journaling of feelings and reactions to the candidate, his
campaign and the political process. (don’t forget to consider the political ads!)
-A well written RSVP essay on why you think your candidate should be America’s choice to be the next President of the United States.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit can be earned by actually working on a political campaign. To receive extra credit, documentation must be provided by campaign staff as to number of hours and duties performed by you. This campaign work may be done for a presidential candidate or for a statewide ( Governor, State Legislator or other) or for other U.S. candidates (Senate or House). This extra credit opportunity will extend throughout the election until November 6th, since many candidates for statewide and even the national offices won’t be determined until Montana holds our primary election on June 5th.
The founders and the framers knew how important an informed citizenship was to the maintenance of our form of government. I hope that you will use this summer to discover how you can become a more informed citizen in the political process. Have fun! I look forward to seeing you in the fall. Please feel free to contact me through e-mail if you have questions. I will be traveling this summer so please be patient if I don’t get back to you immediately.