Jamestown and the Forging of American Democracy

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In 1619: Jamestown and the Forging of American Democracy, James Horn poses this question:
Did slavery and racial prejudice gradually evolve in Virginia during the half century following the arrival of the Angolans, or did de facto enslavement of Africans begin in 1619?

While Horn argues that racial slavery began in 1619, Taylor contends this was not predetermined but a product of colonization, which follows closely to Bailyns claim that racial slavery had no prior design.
This assignment asks you to take a side in the debate. To do so, you will have to carefully evaluate each authors claims and evidence, pointing out their relative strengths and weaknesses, in support of your argument.

Conclude your paper with some broader implications of race and the founding of American democracy.
Support your argument with specific evidence from class readings only. Be sure to include a separate works cited page at the end of your paper (this page does not count as the total length of your paper).

Racial Repression

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Choose one of the following scenarios which illustrate a variety of incidents that have occurred on a university campus.

Imagine that you are a residence hall counselor on campus, and the student described in the incident has come to you to ask for advice.

-What sort of advice would you give to the student?
-Explain why your advice represents the best course of action for the student to follow.

Project Closeout

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READING MATERIAL
Pinto, Chapter 14

ASSIGNMENT 1 – The Termination of the Amazon Fire Project (two-pages)

In this weeks reading in the text chapter 14, PROJECT PROFILE, you can read the story of the termination of Amazon’s project to enter into the mobile phone market with the Amazon “Fire.”
For this assignment, please consider the termination of Amazon’s “Fire” project, and then share with the class your thoughts on this project. 
Would you consider this an “early termination?”
What are the key factors and events that led to the failure of this project?
What might Amazon have done differently to turn this project into a success? Or, was the project doomed from the start with no hope of success?

ASSIGNMENT 2 – New Jerseys Hudson River Tunnel Project (two-pages)

Overview
For this assignment, you must read two articles and answer some questions about New Jerseys Hudson River Tunnel project that was cancelled by New Jerseys governor.

Requirements
        Read the CASE STUDY 14.1 of the Pinto text
        Read the article located at
o  NewJerseyHudsonRiverTunnel.pdf
        View the video located at
o  Chris Christie responds to N.Y. Sen. Chuck Schumer’s criticism on canceling ARC tunnel
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbmwrTc4bJg
        Then answer the questions below.

Questions
1.    In September-October 2010, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made an important decision regarding the states Husdon River Tunnel project. What was his decision? What did he state as the primary reason for his decision?
2.    Based on the articles and the video, do you think his decision was justified? Why or why not? Should this project have continued?

ASSIGNMENT 3 – Discussion Forum (one-page)

Share your thoughts, reactions, observations and general questions regarding this week’s lecture focusing on Project Closeout. I encourage you to post your reactions and engage your peers in conversation in these weekly discussion forums. Participation in these forums will contribute to your overall participation points.

Building A Convention Center

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Building a Convention Center

Congratulations! You have just been appointed to your city council. You discover that a hot topic soon to be brought before the council is the construction of a convention center. Your initial research shows that several midsized cities are considering the construction of a convention center as a way of increasing economic activity including job creation. The challenge that these cities face is how to finance the convention center-projected costs are $100 million. Voters may resist a ballot to increase local taxes (either property or sales); however, there is the transient occupancy tax (TOT)-that consists of taxes paid by people at local hotels. However, that tax is already earmarked for various local charities-and as we know all good politicians want to get reelected. Therefor, voting against several worthy causes would not be popular.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can the center be financed and built? The city could float a bond on the market, or could raise the TOT tax, but that might dissuade some groups from coming to your city because other cities have lower TOTs.

2. What would you do in this situation?

3. What information would you need I order to make the best decision if faced with deciding to support or oppose the convention center?

Answer the above question and include references.