1. Read this–http://www.history.com/news/2011/10/20/is-the-declaration-of-independence-illegal/

2. Watch this–http://www.history.com/videos/jefferson-challenges-the-king

3. Respond to the writing prompt: Is the Declaration of Independence Illegal? Use historical evidence to back up your point of view. Elaborate….write at least 2 paragraphs (with at least 6 sentences in a paragraph)

Respond to this prompt:

1.  Read the Principles of Just War

Principles of the Just War

• A just war can only be waged as a last resort. All non-violent options must be exhausted before the use of force can be justified.
• A war is just only if it is waged by a legitimate authority. Even just causes cannot be served by actions taken by individuals or groups who do not constitute an authority sanctioned by whatever the society and outsiders to the society deem legitimate.
• A just war can only be fought to redress a wrong suffered. For example, self-defense against an armed attack is always considered to be a just cause (although the justice of the cause is not sufficient–see point #4). Further, a just war can only be fought with “right” intentions: the only permissible objective of a just war is to redress the injury.
• A war can only be just if it is fought with a reasonable chance of success. Deaths and injury incurred in a hopeless cause are not morally justifiable.
• The ultimate goal of a just war is to re-establish peace. More specifically, the peace established after the war must be preferable to the peace that would have prevailed if the war had not been fought.
• The violence used in the war must be proportional to the injury suffered. States are prohibited from using force not necessary to attain the limited objective of addressing the injury suffered.
• The weapons used in war must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants. Civilians are never permissible targets of war, and every effort must be taken to avoid killing civilians. The deaths of civilians are justified only if they are unavoidable victims of a deliberate attack on a military target.

2.  From the perspective of your assigned French and Indian War character:  write a post in which you first introduce yourself.  Use enough information so that the reader can understand your frame of reference.

3.  In the next paragraph explain your rational for going to war based on the information in just war theory and the viewpoint of your assigned character. Elaborate, be detailed and informative.  DUE:  Wed. October 12th

4.  Comment at at least 3 classmates blog entries .  DUE:  Friday 14th

Welcome to you first real blog assignment of the 2011-2012 school year!  This task will complement your first PBL assignment and will also act as a research piece for that project.    Go to the following link:  http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/newamericans/index.html

1.  Read about the new Americans.  (Click Meet the New Americans)   Read each episode transcript for each personal story.

2.  Browse through the section called “Cultural Riches”

3.  Take the Quiz

4.  Next, create a new Blog Post with the title “What is an American?”  Write a post that defines what you believe an American is.  You must include at least one reference from history…that could be a primary source, a quote, or a certain stated fact from any time period before 1865.  This must be at least 2 complete paragraphs. (at least 6-8 sentences) Do not use IM/Text  language.  Be professional, creative and remember that others are reading your work.

DUE DATE:   September 21st

5.  Comment on at least 3 classmates blogs for complete credit on written communication.

DUE DATE:  September 26th