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Hillcrest High School
=**Political Parties and Elections Projects 2008**=

Note from the Instructor: Each year my students participate in election campaigns as part of our government curriculum. It has become a fixture for my classes and we have enjoyed conducting our elections for the past eighteen years. We hope that everyone who visits this page enjoys it as much as we have.




 * Part I. – Developing a Party Name and Platform**
 * Part II. – Nominating a Candidate for Class “President”**
 * Part III. – Planning and Implementation of the Campaign**
 * Part IV. – Candidate Speeches and the Election**

__Instructions: This is an important project that should be taken very seriously. The final grade for the project will be averaged as a test grade with each part contributing to the final outcome. Consider the issues carefully as you formulate your party’s platform. Each group member will be expected to contribute to the project and peer assessment will be used in addition to instructor assessment to determine the individual score on the project.__

a. Formation of the Group - select no more than five classmates to work with you. (no exceptions) There should be six groups for second and third blocks and three groups for our fourth block class. b. Meet as a group to:
 * Parts I and II.**
 * 1) Discuss the issues that are included in your political platform. The following issues must be included: Taxes, The Economy, Education, Environment, Foreign Affairs, Gun Control, Immigration, Abortion, Affirmative Action, Social Security and Medicare
 * 2) Write the group consensus down, first on paper and then on a presentation board to be presented in class. This will remain up in the room for the duration of the project so everyone may compare the platforms of the parties.
 * 3) After discussing the issues, decide on a name for your party.
 * 4) Choose a group member to run for “President”
 * 5) Write the party name and list the members, including the name of your nominee for president on your platform and turn in.

a. Design the campaign advertising including the following tactics: (campaign posters, one issue oriented selection. and the campaign wiki page must be utilized by all groups – at least 2 others selected, group choice)
 * Part III.**


 * 1) campaign posters
 * 2) television ad – at least 30 seconds
 * 3) radio spot – at least 30 seconds
 * 4) talk show interview with the candidate – no more than 10 minutes (videotaped or live)
 * 5) direct mail pamphlet
 * 6) campaign buttons and bumper stickers
 * 7) campaign song
 * 8) campaign t-shirt
 * 9) web pages
 * 10) podcasts



Presentations of party platforms will be on March 7th and Candidates' speeches will be made on Mar.28th with voting to take place when all presentations are completed. The winning candidate and his or her party will receive __one__ **“free extra credit quiz”** coupon to be used sometime during the semester in addition to the final grade for the presentation.
 * Part IV.**