AmericanFederalGovernmentEssy

Assignment 4: The Constitution Essay (Complete by Sunday, Nov. 27)

Due No Due Date Points 150 Submitting a file upload

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This assignment is due in this Module.

This assignment aligns with Learning Outcomes 1–5.

Select one of the following topics to write about:

1. A More Perfect Union? Have we achieved the Constitution’s goals today? To

answer this question, think about the goals expressed in the preamble to the U.S.

Constitution:

Form a strong union

Establish equal justice for all

Insure domestic tranquility (that is, peace at home)

Provide for the common defense ( today we might say homeland security)

Promote the general welfare

Secure liberty for ourselves and posterity

With this in mind, and using an A–F (A, B, C, D, & F) grading scale, assign a grade

to each area of the preamble. For instance, assign an “A” if you think the U.S. has

lived up to its goal of forming a strong union, and so on and so forth. Your effort

here must go beyond mere assertion; that is, simply ascribing a grade to each

area. You must qualify the rationale behind your evaluation. You accomplish this

task with the use of relevant, scholarly data. You should conclude your paper with

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one recommendation for improvement in your lowest rated area.

This paper should be approximately five pages in length. A total of four scholarly

sources should be used to stake your claims. Your paper should be in APA format

and will be graded based on the attached rubric.

2. What Happened to Our Constitution: Executive Agreements, Executive

Orders, and Signing Statements. A functioning legislative branch is paramount

to a healthy democracy. To the degree that our Framers embraced this philosophy

can be seen in the expansive list of powers granted Congress by the Constitution.

However, in recent years, many have pointed to the erosion of the nation’s

legislature. In particular, it has been noted that the presidential use of executive

agreements, executive orders, and signing statements have harmed America’s

doctrine of separation of powers by circumventing the legislative process itself. To

this end:

Select one of the topics to expound upon, either executive agreements,

executive orders, or signing statements.

Identify the constitutional basis for such, if any.

Provide an example of this tool at work in American federal government;

Explain the intersection of such use with the doctrine of separation of

powers.

Conclude by affirming the strength or weakness of the nation’s legislative

process.

This paper should be approximately five pages in length. A total of four scholarly

sources should be used to stake your claims. Your paper should be in APA format

and will be graded based on the attached rubric.

Submission

This assignment requires a file upload submission. After you have reviewed the

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Essay Rubric

Criteria Ratings Pts

30 pts

This assignment requires a file upload submission. After you have reviewed the

assignment instructions and rubric, as applicable, complete your submission by

selecting the Submit Assignment button next to the assignment title. Browse for your

file and remember to select the Submit Assignment button below the file to complete

your submission. Review the confirmation annotation that presents after submission.

Grading

This assignment is worth 150 points toward your final grade and will be graded using

the Essay Rubric. Please use it as a guide toward successful completion of this

assignment.

Organization 30 to >26.0 pts

Exemplary

The paper is

logically

organized with a

well-written

introduction,

thesis statement

and conclusion.

26 to >23.0 pts

Meets

Expectations

The paper is

logically

organized with a

well-written

introduction,

thesis statement

and conclusion.

One of these

requires

improvement.

23 to >18.0 pts

Developing

The paper is

logically

organized with a

well-written

introduction,

thesis statement

and conclusion.

One or more of

the introduction,

thesis statement,

and/or

conclusion

require

improvement.

18 to >0 pts

Beginning

The paper is

loosely

organized with

an

introduction,

thesis

statement, and

conclusion. The

introduction,

thesis

statement,

and/or

conclusion

require much

improvement.

Detail 30 to >26.0 pts

Exemplary

26 to >23.0 pts

Meets

23 to >18.0 pts

Developing

18 to >0 pts

Beginning

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30 pts

30 pts

Comprehensively

assesses the

Constitution in

light of the

prompt chosen.

Constitutional

principles are

thoroughly

discussed and

applied to

paper’s content.

The discussion is

supported with

scholarly

sources.

Expectations

Comprehensively

assesses the

Constitution in

light of the

prompt chosen.

Constitutional

principles are

thoroughly

discussed and

applied to

paper’s content.

The discussion is

supported with

scholarly sources

but is slightly

underdeveloped.

Partially

assesses the

Constitution in

light of the

prompt chosen.

Constitutional

principles are

thoroughly

discussed and

applied to

paper’s content.

The discussion

is supported

with scholarly

sources but is

underdeveloped.

Attempts to

assess the

Constitution in

light of the

prompt chosen.

Constitutional

principles are

briefly

discussed and

somewhat

applied to

paper’s content

However, the

discussion is

not supported

with scholarly

sources but is

significantly

underdeveloped.

Critical

Thinking 30 to >26.0 pts

Exemplary

Employs

persuasive and

applicable

information from

credible sources

to develop an

ample analysis or

synthesis of the

topic. Viewpoints

of experts are

highly scrutinized.

26 to >23.0 pts

Meets

Expectations

Employs

persuasive and

applicable

information from

credible sources

to develop an

ample of the

topic. Viewpoints

of experts are

highly

scrutinized.

23 to >18.0 pts

Developing

Identifies

applicable

information from

credible sources,

but may neglect

the application

of such

information

toward the

analysis of the

topic.

18 to >0 pts

Beginning

Presents

information

from external

sources, but

such

information

may lack

credibility

and/or

relevance.

Neglects to

apply such

information

towards the

analysis of the

topic.

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Total Points: 150

30 pts

30 pts

Clarity 30 to >26.0 pts

Exemplary

Ideas are very

easy to

understand. They

are clear and

concise.

26 to >23.0 pts

Meets

Expectations

Ideas are always

easy to

understand.

23 to >18.0 pts

Developing

Ideas are

sometimes

understandable,

but need to be

more to the point.

18 to >0 pts

Beginning

Ideas are

difficult to

understand.

Quality of

Work 30 to >26.0 pts

Exemplary

Quality is

exceptional with

no spelling,

grammar, or

mechanical

errors.

Information is

well organized

and understood.

26 to >23.0 pts

Meets

Expectations

Quality is good

with minor

spelling,

grammar, or

mechanical

errors that do

not interfere with

comprehension.

23 to >18.0 pts

Developing

Quality is

acceptable with

minor spelling,

grammar, or

mechanical

errors that

usually do not

interfere with

comprehension.

18 to >0 pts

Beginning

Work contains

many spelling,

grammar, and

mechanical

errors that

interfere with

comprehension.

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