WINTER 2016 ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS
WEEKLY BLOGS
Each week there will be a weekly blog prompts. These prompts will relate to our in class lecture topics. Original posts are due on Thursday of each week (by midnight) and responses to two other students are due to Sunday (by midnight).
Original posts must be a minimum of 250 words. Responses to two other students in class must be 50 words each.
SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS - WINTER 2016
Short Essay #1
Watch the following clips to answer the questions below.
You will submit one 500 word short essay. For each clip answer the following questions.
- What are three key points discussed by each scholar.
- How do these key points relate to the chapters assigned so far in the term?
- What are the scholars biggest critiques of the government and the American political system?
Short Essay #2 (extra credit)
•A growing trend in state politics among conservatives is to limit the amount of individuals on public benefits to reduce our budget deficit. (Meaning some people want to save money by reducing public services) One way this is happening is through mandatory drug testing for public benefits. In Georgia, and other states, Republicans are proposing to make anyone applying for food assistance and/or unemployment benefits to pass a drug test. What are your thoughts on this issue? Should the government be able to make drug testing mandatory for public services? How does this help or harm people’s ability to get through tough economic times? Explain your position in detail.
Mandatory Drug Testing for Benefits
Georgia Drug Testing
Short Essay #3
Pick three points to analyze from the Black Panther Party 10 point plan - Explain the various ways that the black panther party platform is still relevant today. Relate the points you chose to current struggles today that impact any marginalized group in society (women, children, religious minorities, formerly incarcerated, etc.) How would these groups experience liberation from the demands of the BPP?
Black Panther Party 10 Point Plan
OPEN SECRETS - MID TERM PAPER ASSIGNMENT
Open Secrets is a project of the Center for Responsive Politics. Open Secrets is a tool for everyday people to get behind the scenes information on money in politics.
Why is it important to know about the impact of money in our political system? It's important because the money given to leaders and their PACs influence decision making practices - whether we like it or not. It’s in each persons best interest to understand how their elected officials are potentially influenced by campaign contributions. Leaders from a variety of political ideologies are influenced by money - unfortunately republicans, democrats and independents make decisions on how they will practice their leadership and how decisions will be made on policy.
- Choose the state of California
- Choose TWO elected officials in CA
- See how much money they raised in the 2014 election, review individual donors and in particular - the corporate donors.
Due to the changes in campaign finance laws (Citizens United- 2010) there has been an increase in campaign contributions. 2012 was the first national election to see the impact of Citizens United. For this assignment your job will be to speculate on the impact of corporate contributions on the future of California and it's policy making.
Guiding questions: • What corporations provided campaign contributions for each candidate? • What major political issues are these corporations interested in? • Why do you think the corporation chose that candidate? • Why did some candidates raise more money than others? • What else did you find out about your candidate on Open secrets? Use the conclusion to share your personal beliefs and ideas on the impact of the Supreme Court decision. The majority of your
paper should be factual and reporting what you found in your research.
Use the course manual and the following websites as sources for your final assignment.
- The Story of Citizens United and the FEC
- Political Commentary on Citizens United
- 2012 Election Beneficiaries
- Impact of Citizens United on 2014 election
Write no less than 750 words.
Use 5 direct quotes. References list required.
APA or MLA format.