Assignment

PODCAST ASSIGNMENT

CONSTITUTIONAL - “NATIONALITY”

To complete this assignment, you will need to either go to the following website (also posted in the news section of D2L so you can just click on it), OR if you have a smart phone, you can download the podcast and listen to it there. It is available through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, Radiopublic, and RSS. The podcast is called “Constitutional” and it is through the Washington Post (WAPO). The particular podcast is episode 3, entitled “Nationality.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/constitutional/

Listen to and take notes on the assignment below. The questions go in order. Then, write a 2-3 page paper discussing some of the ideas that are talked about in the podcast. Do not feel the need to cover every question on this list – it is just to help you get ideas and formulate your paper. You can click on the related article next to the podcast to see the transcript as well as see how to spell some of the names mentioned in the podcast. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE FROM THE TRANSCRIPT. That is considered plagiarism. Your paper should be typed, double space, 12 size font and Times New Roman, or something very similar. At least 2 pages means a FULL 2 pages….1 and ¾ of a page is not a full page. I would err on the side of going over onto the 3rd page. These are not all to be answered in order, either. You can pick a main idea that runs through the podcast and discuss some of these questions in your paper. Just make sure that I can tell you listened to the entire thing.

At the end, the last paragraph should tell me whether you liked the podcast (if you didn’t, that’s okay! Tell me why!), why or why not, and if you have ever listened to a podcast. If not, what did you think of the podcast format in general?

When you are finished, please run spell check and grammar check, or have someone read it over for you. Upload it to the drop box. There will be a folder there entitled “Nationality Extra Credit.” The assignment is worth up to 10 points on your lowest exam grade. It is due May 23th by midnight.

What is the first line of the 14th Amendment?

What was the 14th amendment primarily designed to do?

With regard to the framers of the Constitution, how was immigration important to them? Why were they angry with the King of England over this matter?

How many of the framers were immigrants?

Who is the first guest speaker and what are her credentials?

What is important about the word ‘settler’ with regard to immigrants and their purpose early on?

The Big Question – How to Define ‘We the People,’ and how to legislate it:

What were the different views of the framers regarding immigrants? What concerns did they have?

How do they deal with it in the Constitution – or do they? Is it clear what Congress can do?

What is the general idea (or first line) of Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution?

How is immigration handled with regard to holding public office? What is the theory behind this with regard to naturalized citizens vs. native born?

How does President Adams deal with immigration (what law is passed during his term and what does the law say)?

When is the first Naturalization Act passed (rules for becoming a citizen) and what is the rule? How is this both revolutionary and exclusionary at the same time?

In what year was the race requirement dropped?

What is Wong Kim Ark’s background?

Discuss the anti-Chinese sentiment during his growing up years.

How does the Depression of 1873 affect things?

In 1880, how many Chinese people were in America compared to the total population of immigrants? Does it make sense for them to focus on the Chinese as a problem? Why or why not?

How does the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 come about? Does the Constitution give Congress the right to ban immigrants? If not, what does?

What is unique about the Chinese Exclusion Act?

In 1882, at the same time, what is on display in Madison Square Park, in New York City? How does this relate?

The 14th Amendment is the first time what is cemented into the Constitution?

Why did Wong Kim Ark and his parents live in Chinatown?

Why was he out of the country, and why did he think he could return, despite the ban being in effect?

Why are immigration officials so frustrated at this time? Why do they need this ‘test case?’

What is the problem with the 14th amendment with regard to immigration?

How does the judge rule?

Why does the federal government take it to the Supreme Court (what is their argument)?

What is the Supreme Court ruling? Why? (Slippery Slope argument)

According to the opinion, can a law by Congress override the Constitution’s meaning or “impair its effect?”

What is a parallel case in today’s society?

At the time the case was decided in 1898, the Statue of Liberty was standing in NY Harbor. What is different about the immigrant experience in San Francisco?

Birthright Citizenship is settled with this case, but how long did the Chinese Exclusion Act continue to be renewed? When did it end? WHY?

Did Wong Kim Ark’s life change and how were his trips to China affected once the case was decided?

Who else do we exclude?

1931 – What happens to Wong Kim Ark?

1943 – Who toured the U.S. and what happens after this tour? What’s the good news? The bad news?

1917 – How does the National Origins Act affect immigration and why?

1952 – What changed?

1965 – What does the Immigration and Nationality Act do? What are the restrictions? Why is it a powerful turning point? Where was it signed?