At least one journal entry per week must address our semester reading, Our Own Worst Enemy, and other readings related to our special focus this semester: threats to US democracy and ways those threats can be mitigated.

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Label each entry as you do them whether it’s the title or numbers.
Take a look at the requirements and example below and what’s attached.

What’s required?

Three learning journal entries per week (described below). At least one journal entry per week must address our semester reading, Our Own Worst Enemy, and other readings related to our special focus this semester: threats to US democracy and ways those threats can be mitigated.

Read the prompt details below and reach out if any questions. You aren’t graded on your political views. You are graded on whether you support your views with credible sources and evidence. Credible sources do not include opinionated commentators like Tucker Carlson or Michael Moore. They can be fun to listen to but are not college assignment sources. So too social media memes and conspiracy theories. I’m not joking. People have cited them. Provide evidence and citations to back up your claims to help others fairly evaluate your arguments. Anyone should be able to go to the materials you relied on upon and see for themselves to confirm, disconfirm or challenge your reading of that material. Then, and only then, can a free and open, and INFORMED discussion take place. No one is limiting your right to free speech by asking you to back up your claims, for additional evidence, or questioning the credibility of your sources.

Avoid logical fallacies

You’ll also find common logical fallacies (aka BS arguments) defined on the second part of this page. Once again, use it as a checklist and make sure you are making the best possible case for your point of view in your journals. 

Questions to address for each idea in a learning journal

Once you have your three ideas (plus one optional extra credit idea)  for the week answer the following four questions for each idea:

1) What was the one idea that struck you and why?

2) How does it connect to what you are learning about in class?

What does this mean? Step 1: As you read each section introduction and each page keep notes on the main idea- something that can be written in a sentence or a short phrase. Step 2: What is the main idea of both the module and the section on your topic page is located in? Step 3: What is the main idea you are writing or about or addressing in your journal entry? Step 4: Go back to your notes. What are the other main ideas from this section or module? Step 5: What main idea is your topic an example of? How does it compare to the other main idea(s)? How is it the same? How is it different? Your answer to Step 5 is your answer to question 2 on how your journal entry connects to what you learning in class.

3) How did it expand your understanding?

4) What would you like to learn more about?

Here are the journal entries

#1: Are we Stuck in Place (see attachment below)

#2: Chapter 3 Our Own Worst Enemy (see attachment below)

#3: The Popularity of Congress Today (see screenshot attachment below)