Using the course textbook and 4 outside sources (such as books, websites or articles) you’ll be writing a 3-5 page (double-spaced essay on a political issue you choose from the list below — with a focus on your ideological viewpoint.
The idea behind this assignment is for you to explore your topic and explain different possible views of the topic (liberal and conservative). Start by reading Chap.1 and focus in on Political Ideologies (Section 1.4). Explain why you think your personal view on your topic puts you into one or more of the ideological categories that Barbour discusses. Refer to what you’ve learned about ideologies from the book and identify your own ideological viewpoint on your topic, cite the book to support what you say.
Next, you’re going to flip things around and explain what the opposite sides’ viewpoint is, based again on ideology. Before you start the project read the step-by-step instructions at the bottom of this page to see what I mean.
Here are some political issues for you to choose from. Also, I’ve added some things to consider about each one. (If you’d like to pick a topic that is not listed here, please check with me.)
Universal Healthcare: remember that a program like this will involve large amounts of spending by the federal government that will have to be paid for by higher taxes. Think about Barbour calls “deservingness” and how it affects the views of some people. Also, this sort of big program also gives much more power to the federal government.
Gun Control: The Second Amendment to the Constitution is the biggest roadblock to making changes in this area, along with the fact that most Americans do not want to be controlled by the federal government. Be sure to talk about how important personal liberties are to Americans.
Climate Change/Environment: again, this is a policy area that involves how much power the federal government is able to use and would probably require increased federal spending. More government regulation of businesses and people means more power over the economy in the hands of the government.
Be sure to quote and/or cite the ideas you draw from your articles and book rather than relying only on your own opinion or viewpoint. Please let me know if you have any questions about this assignment.
Research your issue: You will need to find at least 4 sources that you will use along with the textbook. These can be books, articles or even websites. If you need help getting started, here are some very good sources for news and information:
Los Angeles Times: latimes.com
New York Times: nytimes.com
Washington Post: washingtonpost.com
Slate: www.slate.com
You definitely want to be sure to use the AmGov textbook to explain key concepts, especially ideology and political culture (you’ll lose points if you do not make direct references to the book)! Go to the Cabrillo College Library’s website and scroll down to click on Articles and Databases to get free access to the newspapers I’ve listed above and to help you find other sources. If you need help, just click on Ask a Librarian!
Instructions:
First, pick a policy area from the list above and explain whether you take an economic or social liberal stance, or an economic or social conservative stance. Why do you think your viewpoint puts you in that group? You want to use the information that you have found in both the book and your other sources here. Focus in on Section 1.4 in the textbook — it will really help you answer this.
Next, think about another ideological perspective on this same issue. What would someone arguing for the other side of this debate have to say about it? Is that position liberal or conservative? Refer to the explanations and ideas in Section 1.4 book to explain why.
Finally, discuss what sort of solution can you see to the problem you have identified. You should cite or quote your articles again here, and maybe the book too. Conclude your paper by discussing the pros and cons of the liberal and conservative ways of approaching the issue you’ve chosen.
You must make direct reference to the Barbour textbook, in addition to your four outside sources throughout your paper. Please use simple, embedded references that will look like this (Barbour, pg. 96) whenever you quote the text or paraphrase ideas that you’re referring to. Be sure to list all sources other than Barbour with full citations! (You may use either APA or MLA style for your citations.)
