Must contain a work cited page and the topics can be any of the following Topics covered in Lessons 1 and 2
The U.S. Constitution creates a federal system of government whereby powers are distributed between a national government and fifty state governments. There are times when the federal government and state governments clash over state laws that may violate federal law or federal mandates. What methods does the federal government use to get states to comply with federal mandates? What are the ways that states can resist federal mandates? Provide a specific policy example (I.e. marijuana, the Affordable Care Act, same-sex marriage, etc.), explain how their differences were resolved (if it is an issue that hasn’t been resolved), and what steps have been taken by each side to advance their position).
The number of people represented by each member of the U.S. House of Representatives has more than tripled since the size of the House was permanently set at 435 members in the early 20th Century. Argue whether or not the House needs to add new representatives. How does the size of the House of Representatives compare to democratically-elected legislatures in other countries? Explain whether or not expanding the House would lead to better representation for Americans. Is there a limit to the size the House can reach before it cannot operate effectively and efficiently as a legislative body? Explain your position on this question.
The Founding Fathers wanted the federal courts to be protected from politics. In what ways was the judiciary designed to limit the role of politics? What criteria are examined when the Senate discusses and, ultimately, votes to confirm or reject a presidential nomination? Provide examples. How did the emergence of political parties in the United States affect the role of politics in the federal courts (along this same line of nomination and confirmation of federal judges)?
Topics covered in Lessons 3 and 4
Select a presidential election where the winner of the popular vote did not win the Electoral College. Explain how many votes (and in which states) were needed to give the Electoral College to the candidate who lost the election. Argue whether or not most states need to continue to use winner take all (WTA), need to switch to a congressional district model (like in Maine and Nebraska), or need to switch to a proportional model of awarding electoral votes (i.e. a candidate wins 40% of the popular vote in the state, so he or she receives 40% of the state’s electoral vote).
Read “In past elections U.S. trailed most countries in voter turnout.” According to Dautrich et al. (the assigned book for the class), what are some of the causes of low voter turnout in the United States? Discuss at least two ways to increase voter turnout (these ways must be used by some states or other countries or have been proposed by voting rights advocates). How successful have these proposals been at increasing turnout? Argue whether or not these proposals would be able to increase voter turnout. Also, argue for whether or not high voter turnout is important.
Below is a current event topic that can also be used for ONE of the writing assignments.
Current event paper (topic chosen by the student and approved by instructor): The purpose of this assignment is for students to provide their perspective on a domestic or foreign policy issue (for example, trade, cost of prescription drugs, military intervention, economic sanction, etc.). Students will prepare a summary and analysis of a current policy issue in American government. The issue must be reported in a news story during the term of the course (this news story is one of the sources you will use for the paper). A deeper understanding of the issue can be developed by reading additional articles or information on the topic. You must cite your reference (news story), as well as any other sources from which you use information in the writing assignment. The selected topic must be submitted to the instructor to ensure that it is appropriate for your analysis.
