1. Agenda
Last day to turn in your signed syllabus and getting to know you sheet for full credit! Do it now!
Today: defining democracy

2. What is it? What does it mean?
DEMOCRACY!
What is it? What does it mean?
Think in your brains: a working definition of the word democracy. What is it? Share.

3. WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Find a partner
Take the top 5 cards, leave the rest face down
No peeking
We have these things that usually coincide with democratic governments. 10 of them. With your partner, I need you to put the top five in order of importance to you. I need you to argue with your partner and explain why. Then, the next five. Come up, as partners, with the ordered list of what’s most important to you out of those cards.

4. HOW’S THE US DOING ON THESE THINGS IN THE YEAR 2018?
NEEDS WORK
OUTSTANDING
WHAT ABOUT…. In the 1770s? In the 1920s? Everything is always in flux and, the us changes its stance on certain things a lot. It’s always a gauge. Right? When women got the right to vote, I’m sure they thought it was the apex of freedom… but now? What about other countries?

5. Agenda – 1/12
Defining democracy – continue
Signposts of a democracy

6. WARM UP
In at least a two paragraph response, identify and explain the two aspects of democracy that are most important to you. Be sure give evidence to support your answer.

7. SIGNPOSTS OF DEMOCRACY
Political scientists use these 13 principles to assess how a country is progressing toward - or away from – democracy

8. Citizen participation
Equality
Political tolerance
Accountability
Transparency
Regular, Free, and Fair Elections
Economic Freedom
Control of the Abuse of Power
Accepting the Results of Elections
Human Rights
Multi-party Systems
The Rule of Law
A Bill of Rights

9. In groups of 1-3, go through each signpost and write in your notes:
What problems might arise if this principle (signpost) is not in place?
Can you find any evidence of the presence or absence of this principle?
You can use your phone for research. Only for research. Not for texting. Not for snapchatting. Not for MySpace. Not for Xanga.
3. Your rating for the US
On a 1-10 scale (1 = terrible 10 = outstanding)

10. EXIT TICKET
On your version of the 13 signposts, star the two that you think the US is doing the best on, and star the two you think the US needs the most improvement in.
Y’all will be writing a paper on this next week!
Also turn in my class sets to the front please.