A.P. Government

Summer Reading Assignment

Read BOTH of the books listed below in entirety. It is highly recommended that you highlight, color mark, and/or take notes as you read!

Hardball by Chris Matthews (How Politics is Played—Told by One Who Knows the Game.)

1984 by George Orwell (Fictional utopian society of a totalitarian dictatorship)

The following essays are BOTH due ONE WEEK after school starts on August 26. We will also have graded discussions/seminars on both books!

Essay 1. Assume you are a Special Advisor to the President and have been asked to prepare recommendations for President ________ to solidify support for his/her programs during the first half of his/her first term. Using TWO current issues, with an eye towards keeping the White House in Democratic hands, suggest how the ______ Administration might use some of Christopher Matthews’ political “tips” to best deal with different constituencies, i.e. Congress, the press, the public, influential interest groups, and international players. Address the paper to the President and specifically reference the current issues (one of which MUST look toward American international involvement.)

Essay 2. “We control life, Winston, at all its levels. You are imagining that there is something called human nature which will be outraged by what we do and will turn against us. But we create human nature. Men are infinitely malleable…..Humanity is the Party.” George Orwell The quote is from the novel 1984 by George Orwell. Using this quote analyze the actions of Big Brother and write an essay explaining the role of this totalitarian government in controlling the populace. You might want to include the use of propaganda, technology, double speak, the thought policy, the Party, and room 101.

Essay Directions: Each essay should be typed, double spaced in proper MLA format. (Please google the OWL at Purdue if you need guidance.) Essays MUST be between 500 and 750 words. Be succinct, yet expressive; show knowledge; include analysis. If you have any difficulties with this assignment, you are expected to email Mrs. LaRue BEFORE the beginning of school at larue_debra@asdk12.org.

IN ADDITION: It is also highly recommended that you follow current events this summer via The Washington Post, The New York Times, British Broadcasting Company, and/or The Economist. We will often apply current topics to political science concepts. While you may want to subscribe to these sources, it is not necessary as you can read much of their publishing online. Please keep current on events happing in the world over the summer.

This assignment can also be found online on the Chugiak webpage!