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Politics & Issues		 Menu Liberal/Conservative Views National Parties Convention Simulation


Party Convention Simulation


    I. Purpose of this Simulation:
      a. To give students a firsthand view of how political parties formulate policy and choose candidates;

      b. To illustrate how the American two-party system provides a wide base for public involvement in policy formulation and candidate selection;

      c. To emphasize the simple reality that public involvement is the cornerstone of American government, without which democracy is doomed.


    II. Division of the Simulation:
      a. Political Party Convention

      b. National Presidential Candidate Nomination


    III. Role of the Students:
      a. Students will represent delegates from various states in the Union;

      b. Students will present planks in legislative format for acceptance or rejection into the party platform;

      c. Students may campaign to be the presidential nominee for the party.


    IV. Debate
      Debates will be controlled by the Rules of Discussion handed out to each student. There will be a two minute time limit on each affirmative and negative speech.


    V. Business of the Convention

      a. The sponsor or sponsors of planks will give a two minute opening affirmative speech after the plank is read by the chair followed by two additional affirmative speeches. Another group of three speeches will be given against the plank (negative speeches). A second speech round (3 affirmative/3 negative) will follow. After the second round of negative speeches, any motion as defined by the Rules of Discussion is in order unless otherwise indicated.

      b. Presidential Nominee - - Any student wishing to become the party nominee must secure a presidential nomination form on which he/she will list his/her individual platform and nominating speaker. Candidates will be given the opportunity to speak at the Convention. Candidates may campaign throughout the Convention. The election of the nominee will be the last order of business at the Convention

      c. Floor Demonstrations - - Presidential nominees may stage a floor demonstration. See Mr. Charon for more information.

      d. Video Presentations -- Nominees will make a video presentation/commercial to encourage party members to vote for him/her. Positive campaigning material is preferred, however, nominees are allowed to make videos containing negative campaigning material that is generic in nature and free of personal attacks towards any opponent. All video material must be cleared with, and viewed by Mr. Charon beforebeing shown at the Convention.


    V I. Grading

      Students will be graded daily on involvement at the convention.

      All students will receive grades based on the following:

        a. a one page, [typed, double-spaced, size 12, Helvetica Font, bullet formatted] fact sheet about the student's state (the paper must contain at least 10 facts.)

        b. convention attendance.
        *Students who are absent from class during the Convention will lose points!

        c. writing and submitting at least one plank for presentation before the Convention begins!

        d. participation in debates on planks.

        e. displaying state placard and flag each day.

        f. "dressing up" in costume each day that somehow represents his/her state.

        g. presenting two fact about his/her state during roll call each day.


      Students wishing to receive extra points may:

        a. write and present up to two additional planks (5 pts. each).

        b. have one or more planks voted into the party platform.

        c. run in and/or win the presidential/vice-presidential party nomination.



        *        *At times we will be dealing with issues that may be difficult for some students. Any parent/student who is uncomfortable with participation in the convention is encouraged to discuss his/her feelings with Mr. Charon and an alternate course of study will be designed to meet the grade requirement for this simulation.