1. Politics (Ch. 13)
Essential Question: What is the nature of the relationship between the citizen and the state?

2. Politics The process by which groups make decisions
Cause of social change
Democratic governments exercise power through the will of the people
With that power comes responsibility, even the responsibility to dissent if necessary

3. Discussion Questions (think, write, discuss)
Hence, what is the nature of patriotism in a democracy?
Is it loyalty to the government or loyalty to the ideals of the nation?
How is American patriotism colored by the fact that our country was born out of a revolution?

4. Literature from this chapter
Writers on American politics examine the rights of citizens to resist, and remind us of connection between political action & social change
As Americans, former subjects of a colonial power, colonialism is an especially interesting subject
Is our view of colonialism affected by our nation’s origin? Is this view outdated?
Does colonialism ever have positive benefits?
How does patriotism work when the government is a foreign power?

5. Literature continued…
Selections in this chapter raise those questions & remind us of the effects of both colonialism and post-colonialism on language, culture, social change, and global politics (read Literary Context handout).

6. Purpose
Educated citizens—the root of the word politics is the Greek word for citizen—must know about the politics of the world & politics of their own country
This chapter presents variety of voices & perspectives on national and world politics
Examine the interrelationships among citizens, their states, and the world

7. Readings & Selections
“On Seeing England for the First Time” by Jamaica Kincaid, p. 904 due Thurs. 2/11
“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, p. 914
“Thoughts on Peace in an Air Raid” by Virginia Woolf, p. 935 due Tues. 2/16
“On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau, p. 939 due Thurs. 2/18
Choose your own non-fiction article or piece, must be contemporary ( ) on politics due Mon. 2/22
“Guernica” Painting by Pablo Picasso, p. 975 due Mon. 2/22
Colonialism: “The Empire Fights Back” by Chinua Achebe, p. 985 due Weds. 2/24

8. Lessons
Closely read each selection using a close reading strategy: Cornell Notes, post-it notes, DJs, T-Chart, etc. I will check this the day the reading is due.
Be prepared to discuss the piece in detail. See discussion questions at the end of the selection to guide your reading.
Remember you are looking to understand the paradigm, exigence, rhetorical triangle, rhetorical devices & strategies, etc. of the piece and how the author uses the piece as a voice for his/her opinion on the topic of politics
Review essay prompt that you will write after reading & analyzing all pieces

9. Essay Prompt, p. 1007
Each of the statements on pages addresses the nature of politics. Select one that interests you, and write an essay defending or challenging its assertion.
To support your argument, refer to your knowledge of history, the selections in this chapter, and the selection you chose.

10. Discussion Questions
Share your thoughts with your group members. Write down your responses.
You will turn in your responses at the end of the period.

11. Kincaid Discussion Questions
Why does Kincaid spend so much time describing what she ate, what she wore, and what her father wore? What is the significance? What do these details mean?
What type of conflict does she have with England? What is her view of England? Why?
What does she mean when she says, “I had long ago been conquered” (906).
What does she means when she says, “The space between the idea of something and its reality is always wide and deep and dark”? (908).

12. Kincaid Discussion Questions
Discuss (with your group) the type of rhetorical devices Kincaid uses. How does she use these devices to develop the meaning or achieve a particular effect or purpose? Explain the meaning, effect, or purpose.
What is her relationship to England? How do you know? Use textual evidence to support your response.
How does Kincaid use the piece as a voice for her opinion on the topic of politics? What is her commentary on politics?

13. “Thoughts on Peace in an Air Raid” by Virginia Woolf