An important part of Civic Competence is engaging in meaningful discourse. It is important to know how to discuss topics not only with those who have the same point of view as you, but also with those whom you disagree. In the past this has been a matter of face-to-face discussion, where you have to actually see a person and let them know your opinions and thoughts on theirs. The face-to-face aspect made it more likely that the individuals would be respectful of each other, but today, with the increase in technology, so much discussion takes place anonymously. The anonymity has made it easier to lose sight of respectfulness in discussion and allow us to hide behind that veil and say whatever we like, even if it is rude, disrespectful, insulting, belittling, and bullying. That attitude does not produce meaningful dialog. It breeds animosity, stereotypes, and polarization of ideas and points of view while not allowing for the parties involved to hear and listen to what their counterpart has to say.
This discussion forum is designed to increase your Civic Literacy and discussion skills for the 21st Century. Here you will be required to weekly post and respond to each other's posts and comments in a safe and positive manner. The question I will post for discussion will deal with the subject area and the topics we are currently studying or have already completed. You will be responsible for posting at least 1 substantive Comment and 2 substantive Replies to others' comments. Additional information from the web will be made available to incorporate with prior information and should be used to help you respond to the question or make comments and replies.
What is a "Substantive" Response?
By substantive I mean a comment or reply that adds to the discussion by introducing new information or building upon someone else's comments or reply. Simply stating, "I agree with what Billy said." is not substantive, it does not add anything new to the conversation. Remember, your substantive comment does not have to agree with the person you are replying to, but can contradict if you have a differing opinion. It should introduce new information or a new point of view.
Click the link below to take you the appropriate week's Essential Discussion:
Week 10/22 - 10/26: Arab Spring
Comments (8)
Monica Beingolea said
at 4:42 pm on Oct 25, 2012
When people have no representation in government and government is creating conditions in which cannot have a lively hood its time for the people to overthrow the government. Our founding fathers had a transitional government that was supported by the people and they ultimately created a formal government that still supported by the people the danger with the Arab Spring is that it doesn't appear to be a strong transitional government or a formal government. For instance it appears the people of Libya have overthrown their dictator but they are under the yolk of extremism of the Telibom.
Alec Sauls said
at 7:26 pm on Oct 25, 2012
I agree with Monica because if the people have no say in the government according to the social contract they have the right to change their country's government.
Shelby Reilly said
at 7:04 pm on Oct 26, 2012
I agree with Monica because when people feel as if they aren't in control of anything they naturally are unhappy. In the social contract as Alec stated, says that the people have the right to revolution. Libya is a country at the moment where there is extreme change in the government.
Alec Sauls said
at 7:25 pm on Oct 25, 2012
People have the right to change the government when the government doesn't provide the people with their natural rights. In the social contract the people have the right to change or abolish their government if their natural rights are not protected and same goes for the people.
Will Jacobson said
at 5:34 pm on Oct 26, 2012
I agree with Alec because if the natural right are taken from the citizens then the government can't claim they protected them when the citzens try to overcome the government.
Will Jacobson said
at 5:37 pm on Oct 26, 2012
People have the right to overthrow the government once the social contract because the citizens natural rights are taken from them. Once this has happened the citizens will try to take over their government, just like the people of Libya have done.
Shelby Reilly said
at 7:06 pm on Oct 26, 2012
lI agree with what Will has stated because as shown above Libya is a prime example of when people are unhappy they will find a way to make things go their way and revolutionize as our founding fathers did.
Shelby Reilly said
at 7:15 pm on Oct 26, 2012
I think this is a very exciting and intriguing time to be studying the arab spring and how they are handling their revolution. This is giving us a change to compare what our founding fathers did to how the Arabs are handling things now. I think that this is a time to really watch and pay attention to what they are doing. They are sending a message to other countries under dictatorships that they will not take this lying down and deal with this anymore. They are sending the message that America has been stating since the constitution was written; we are all equal and all deserve equal opportunities and rights.
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