How Media Coverage Affect Public Opinion or Political Participation

PAPER ASSIGNMENT

RPOS101W -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Instructor: Donnett Lee Contact: [email protected] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All students are required to complete a short response paper. This paper will be the students’ response to one of the below questions. Your response should be well thought out, include examples to help illustrate your points, and include citations from the textbook and at least three academic or media (not opinion/editorial/blog: New York Times, Wallstreet Journal, Washington Post, Times Union, BBC) sources.

1. How do interest groups relate to presidential elections? 2. Does the media cover female congressional candidates differently than their male

counterparts? 3. How does media coverage affect public opinion or political participation? 4. What is the role of public opinion in domestic policymaking?

* Students are free to write on questions outside of those listed. However, you must notify the instructor (TA) first. The question must include a topic covered from the lecture and one of the following topics (interest groups, media, or domestic policy).

Each paper will be worth 100 pts. The paper should include a brief description/overview of the topic you select and an academic argument that includes examples, statistics, facts, procedures, etc. Lastly, the paper can close with student reactions and opinions on the topic. However, a majority of the paper should NOT be opinion based; it should be an academic argument.

Details:

● Papers should be 5-6 full pages in length (double spaced, 12pt font.) ● You must reference the specific sources you are using (ie. make sure you cite them!)

Papers without citations will be considered plagiarized. See class policy around academic dishonesty in the class syllabus.

● Your goal is to briefly summarize the topic, and convince the reader that your argument is the better argument. Do not shy away from discussing the opposite side to help support your own side.

● Papers must be submitted via blackboard and hard copy on the day they are due in order to be deemed turned in and “on time.”

Due date*: Friday, November 22, 2019 at the beginning of class

 Papers turned in on time, in blackboard and hard copy, on the due date will be eligible for 100 points.

 Late papers will be downgraded half a grade per day and will not be accepted three days after the due date.

*Extra Credit:  Papers turned in on or before November 15, 2019 will be eligible for extra credit.

Paper Presentations:

 October 4 -November 8, 2019

 You will briefly present (5 minutes or less) the theme and argument of your paper in the discussion section and receive feedback. Please use any useful comments or suggestions to produce the final written product.