Research paper due 15 Nov

Government Department

El Centro College

2305 – Federal Government – Research and Writing Assignment

Objectives: This assignment will engage you in Critical Thinking by requiring you to explain your thought process, reasoning, and research when selecting a topic and asserting a position. You will demonstrate a mastery of Written Communication skills by authoring an academic position paper comprised of reliable sources and evidence. Your final paper will be free of mechanical and technical errors and demonstrate careful revision. Your final paper will demonstrate mastery of APA Formatting. You will demonstrate your mastery of Personal Responsibility as this assignment will require you to establish a position on a specific issue and explore the ethical issues, while supporting your stance with facts. You will demonstrate Social Responsibility as this assignment will require that you consider cultural competency when establishing and arguing for a position. You will demonstrate or suggest the best way to engage your community and others. You will demonstrate a mastery of Visual Communication by using an image, graph, photograph, political cartoon or collage to frame and describe your topic in a visual way. Details: You may choose Option #1 or Option #2 for your paper. APA format and double spaced. APA form in Word, sample paper in APA format, and APA tips available on Government Library Page. Three (3) reliable, primary or secondary sources (note that Wikipedia and Google are NOT sources). Font: 12 point font

Paper Specifics – Page by Page Page 1 – cover page Page 2 – abstract page Page 3, 4, and 5 – three (3) full pages of writing – in-text short form citations must be used within the body of your paper Page 6 – visual medium – you must use at least one (1) chart, graph, photos, political cartoon, or other form of visual medium that you use to interpret / explain, comment on your paper. This is required and is not part of the three (3) full pages of writing.

o Page 7 – Works Cited Page Papers Turned in on BlackBoard Your papers must be turned in on BlackBoard. Option #1: Pick a position in the United States Government and write a paper about that position (i.e. President, Vice President, Secretary of State, cabinet members, Head of the FBI, Supreme Court Justice, or any other position). You can pick someone from the past, present, or future (a candidate that is running for the position). The body pages of your paper should address: -Introduction – overview of what you are going to discuss. - Describe the role, explain what this person does and the source(s) of this person’s power (i.e. Constitution or another law or bill), who does the person share power with / who does this person report to / what are the “checks and balances” on this person’s power / position? -Explain how the role is filled – i.e. elected or appointed / approval by Congress. -Who is the person you are focusing on – past, present, or future – and provide background information about this person and major goals / initiatives this person had / has / wants to have in this position. -Is this person affiliated with a political party? What role does that play in the position (i.e. with election or appointment, with how this person carries out their duties, with decisions this person makes, with accountability)? -What were / are the major issues the person in this position is/was confronting in this position. -State and explain your opinion of this person. -Conclusion – based on your research what are the major impacts this person made on history / could make on history in this position.

Option #2: Pick an issue and write a Pro-Con-My Opinion Paper on the topic. The goal is for you to see all sides of an issue, be able to explain all sides, and then reach your conclusion / own opinion. For example, if you are writing about legalization of marijuana, the body of your paper would be: Introduction – overview of what you are going to discuss. A section on why the United States should legalize marijuana backed up with research. A section on why the United States should not legalize marijuana backed up with research. A section on your opinion based on your research. Conclusion. You may choose your own topic and ask your own question. Let me know if you want assistance. Some sample themes you may want to choose from and then form a question about are below. For example, for a Supreme Court case you would ask yourself “Was the holding in XXX case the right decision?” and then present the pro, con, my opinion on that case. Other topics you could choose to do a pro-con-my opinion paper on are listed here – or you can choose your own – here are some possible themes: Abortion Border Security Census Citizenship Question Climate Policy Covid-19 – Government Handling of Covid-19 Criminal Justice Reform DACA Death Penalty Democratic Party Domestic Surveillance Economic Policy Education Policy Equality Eighth Amendment Issues Fifth Amendment Issues First Amendment Issues Fourth Amendment Issues Gerrymandering Gun Rights / Gun Control Healthcare Immigration Policy

International Relations International Trade / Tariffs LGBTQ+ Rights Marijuana Legalization Mass Shootings Republican Party Sanctuary Cities School Choice Second Amendment Issues Social Security Supreme Court Cases Taxation Voting Rights Voter Suppression Welfare Policy Women in Combat Positions Researching to Find Sources for Your Paper The library at ECC has put together an amazing resource for you to use. Domestic Surveillance Please visit the Government Home Page at the ECC Library online and you will find resources on databases that will great aid you in your research. You can find it at Government Department Research Guide. You can also meet with me virtually and we can talk about your paper for extra credit. Just let me know you want to meet and we will find a time that works for you! You can also meet with a librarian virtually and they can help you with your research and I will give you extra credit. You can find the link to set up the appointment at the link above! For the extra credit please login to our BlackBoard Page and send me a note under Extra Credit Tab so I can give you the credit.