Harball+Assignment

=The Lessons of Hardball //or// How Politics is Really Played=


 * Overview:** Chris Matthews' states in the introduction to //Hardball// that "the premise of [his] book is straightforward: to get ahead in life, you can learn a great deal from those who get ahead for a living. . . .Once you learn the rules, you will have the street smarts not only to survive the world of everyday politics but to thrive in it." (18). So what are the rules and how do they apply to the world of American politics in 2009? Those are the question we're going to tackle over the course of the next few days.

This assignment rates a 4 on the collaboration scale. Every member of the group is expected to participate actively in completing the following tasks. Every member of the group should also take part in the presentation.
 * Your Task**
 * Define the RULE presented in your chapter in your own words and how following this rule/lesson will help you win the game of politics.
 * Provide an EXAMPLE of that rule from the book in your own words
 * Provide AT LEAST ONE EXAMPLE of the rule from recent politics in your own words
 * Provide links/citations to your sources
 * Prepare a BRIEF presentation tomorrow to the class on your rule. (8 minutes total)
 * Complete a properly formatted Works Cited for any sources used in additional to //Hardball//

Your wiki page should:
 * Wiki Page Requirements**
 * Be well-organized, using headings and/or bulleted lists to group related material.
 * Make excellent and effective use of color, font, and graphics to enhance the presentation
 * Include at least ONE well chosen image to enhance the presentation (copy the image location rather than upload the image to the wiki page)
 * Include at least ONE embedded widget (video, audio) where applicable
 * Include a Works Cited section at the bottom of the page in proper MLA format


 * Resources for Current Examples**
 * CNN Politics: http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/
 * New York Times Washington: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/washington/index.html
 * Washington Post Politics: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/politics/
 * NPR Election 2008: http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/topic.php?topicId=1102
 * C-Span: http://www.c-span.org/
 * Online NewsHour: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/
 * Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/nation
 * Real Clear Politics: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/


 * Rubric**

// Hardball // Assignment · Clear and accurate explanation of the rule · Excellent effort to express the main ideas in your own words || 5 points ||  || · Well chosen example · Clear and accurate explanation of the example · Excellent effort to express the main ideas in your own words || 10 points ||  || · Well-chosen and effective current example · Clear and accurate explanation of the example and why it relates to the chapter · Excellent effort to express the main ideas in your own words || 10 points ||  || · Well organized · Accurate information · Effective use of color, font, graphics, and widgets · Few if any GUM errors || 10 points ||  || · Well-organized · Concise · Inclusive · Well-rehearsed || 10 points ||  || · Complete and accurate · Correct citation format || 5 points ||  ||
 * U.S. GOVT II & US GOVT II HONORS
 * Group:**
 * Assessment:** /50 points ||
 * **Category** || **Possible Points** || **Earned Points** ||
 * **The Rule**
 * **//Hardball// Example**
 * **Current Example**
 * **Wiki Page**
 * **Presentation**
 * **Works Cited**
 * **Total** || 50 points ||  ||
 * **Comments** ||