Written Assignments
Instructions for Written Assignments:
- All paper projects are due at the end of the
week
by Sunday at 5:00pm.
- Choose from any of the projects listed below.
- Check out the web sites listed at the bottom
of
each assignment. Theses are the resources you will need to answer
the
questions. Review them carefully.
- Write a report approximately 3 to 5 pages in
length,
double spaced with 1 inch margins.
- In your report make sure you answer all the
questions
listed in the assignment.
Paper Projects
Presidential Debates
Access the
Presidential Debates 2008.
Write
a paper describing the topics and issues discussed at each of the
debates you
viewed?
Watch at least one full debate. What does this tell us about the opportunity of the public to make
informed
choices in a presidential election?
- Read:
Why Don't More Americans Vote?
Write an essay on why voting turnout is low
in the U.S. compared to most other countries and discuss what we
can do about it.
Add what you learned from the text or
other sources.
Comparing the U.S.
Constitution with the Articles of Confederation
Compare and contrast the
U.S. Constitution- with any of the 50 state constitutions.
Point out major
similarities
and differences.
U.S.
Constitution
- State Constitutions
Read this article on
3rd parties and the Presidency
- Write and essay explaining what it is about the American political
process that denies 3rd parties access to participation. Tell
what you thing can be done about this and speculate what changes it
would make to presidential debates and other forms of joint
communications as well as the campaign in general.
Polling
- Read the article below and answer
the
following questions: 1) How are systematic polls
conducted?
2) Describe the sampling process. 3)What is meant by margin of
error? 3)
How do questions impact a survey?
· Understanding
Polling Methodology
Presidential
Elections
2012Access the
Five Great Websites of 2014
1. Write a paper on what makes for a good
candidate website of Is there anything you think is missing.
Identify the features that are essential. What makes a site
interesting and gets the public motivated to support the
candidate.
Voice of
America What is the Voice
of America (VOA) , its budget, and the number of different languages
it
broadcasts in. Choose any one of its regular programs and any one of the
special
programs offered. Describe and discuss their content, purposes,
audience,
and any other issues about them that appeal to you.
Reforming the Electoral Process
Jeffrey Toobin's article in the
New Yorker
"Money Talks"
discusses the role of the Supreme Court in refusing to uphold
campaign finance laws in the name of free speech and even to go so
far as to declare money to be speech.
Read the article and write an essay on the role of money in
our election campaigns.
Tell whether you agree or disagree with the Court.
Supreme Court
1. The Supreme Court's official Web
site
is an abundant resource for cases, opinions, justices, and more. Study
the
site and answer these questions:
a. What is the
history
of the Supreme Court?
b. How many justices
have sat on the Court, and who has served as Chief Justice?
c. What are the
traditions
and procedures of the institution?
d. Briefly discuss
any
three cases the Court has heard in the last year.
Congress
Barbara Sinclair wrote an
article in defense of Congress.
" What is wrong with Congress"
Read the article which also contains many
of the criticisms of Congress made by its critics.
Write an essay identifying the criticisms
and defense and then tell which side you think is most compelling.
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