Investigation #2: The Modern Challenges of Federalism

Investigation #2: The Modern Challenges of Federalism

Welcome to your second investigation.  In the first assignment, you considered where and how you source information linked to the news and current events.  Now is the opportunity to apply this knowledge to a specific circumstance.  Your goal is to investigate the concept of American federalism (the various rights and responsibilities granted to the federal, state, and local governments) and the issues and controversies which arise.  The assignment begins with research into a modern example of the conflict between levels of power and asks you to take a stand on the particular controversy you research.  In order to successfully navigate and compose this paper, please see the instructions below.  I’m happy to answer any questions about case selection as well as read initial drafts for feedback.

Examples of potential case studies:  drug legalization; gun rights/control; death penalty; equal protection under the law; sanctuary status; marriage equality; climate change; states suing the federal government...essentially any legal/political issue in which local/state government comes in conflict with the federal government.

Purpose:  To build and demonstrate knowledge on the underlying concepts of federalism through a short research project.  The paper asks you to apply the underlying tensions between federal, state, and/or local powers to a modern political, legal, social, and/or economic controversy.  You will build skills in analysis, research, and creative thinking to bring historical ideological debates into a modern framework to analyze distribution of power.

Task:  Write a 1000 word argumentative/analytical paper identifying a modern issue linked to federalism.  This paper will include:

1)  at least 3 news sources (more are welcome) identifying the controversy/issue chosen and referencing source material from the syllabus to identify how it relates to federalism;

2)  an introduction presenting the topic and clear initial claim/thesis backed up with criteria for argumentation (thesis and 2-3 sub arguments which justify the thesis);

3)  commentary and analysis of the controversy demonstrating why it links to federalism based upon lectures and readings from the course;

4)  summarizing the controversy as succinctly as possible and spending more time on analysis and argumentation;

5)  an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion;

6)  either in-text or footnote citations to the news articles and any class material utilized;

7)  a works cited/bibliography.