Examine Any of the Following:
| State Constitutions | State Agency | Mayor's Office |
| News Outlets | Legislature | Directions for writing reports |
| Lt. Governor | Courts | Term Limits |
| Project
1 Examining a State Constitution
Check out the state constitutions. Compare any two states. Describe the similarities and differences found in these state constitutions. Evaluate what powers are given to the governor, legislature and the courts. According to the constitutions, which branch is most powerful? Explain using information found in the constitutions. You can also compare what these constitutions say about local government. Which constitution do you consider better? Explain your answer. |
| Project
2 Comparing News Outlets
Compare these two web newspapers, politico and huffington post. How are they similar and different. In your view which is a better source for news. Give examples to explain your answer. How do these online websites compare to traditional media on the web such as the New York Times and Chicago Tribune online? |
| Project
3 Analyzing the Lt. Governors on the Internet
Go to the official website of the National Lt. Governors Association. From your observation of this website, write a paper explaining what the Lt. Governor does. How is this position similar to and different from the Vice President of the United States? Explain why so many reformers advocate the elimination of the office of Lt. Governor. |
| Project
4 Studying Government Agencies on the Web
Go to the Illinois Agriculture Department. From the information on the website write a paper explaining what the Department does. What are its duties and responsibilities of the department? Who would you say is its cliental? Some people have argued that it should now be a Department of Food and represent consumers of food rather than farmers. Do you agree with this stand? Explain your answer. |
| Project
5 Examining Public attitudes about Legislature
Visit the Center on Congress at Indiana University. Examine the public criticisms of the Congress. These views also apply to the state legislature in the minds of most people. Identify the criticisms and the defenses. Write a paper in support of the criticisms or defending the members of the legislature. Make sure to use information to back up your argument. |
| Project
6 Studying State and Local Courts
Read the pros and cons of the electing judges. Write a paper in defense of one side or the other. Be sure and identify the arguments on the other side and refute them. |
| Project
7 Evaluating the mayor's office
Read what it says in the textbook about Mayor Daley. Also visit the Mayor's website. Write a paper on the powers and responsibilities of the mayor. How do the powers of the office compare with the governor and the president? In which ways is he stronger and weaker than the other two offices? Is the office expanding or contracting? Explain your answer giving examples from the sources you examined. |
| Project
8 Term Limits
Go to this term limit website. Examine the articles at the bottom of the page and identify the arguments for and against term limits. Evaluate these arguments and tell which side makes the most sense to you. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the term limit arguments? |
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