Political Science Research Paper

Research Paper Assignment

Specifics

OBJECTIVE

· To gain an understanding of American government/PSCI through study and research of individually chosen topic

· To further perfect proper term paper format through the use of IN-TEXT citations and reference page.

REQUIREMENTS

· Student may choose any topic listed below relating to American Government. 

· Paper must be TYPED with no typos or grammatical errors

· Paper must contain citations and bibliography

· Paper must be double-spaced, no less than 5 pages, and no more than 7 pages

· Paper must contain a title page with title of paper, course name, student's name and due date.

· Title page and reference page are NOT part of the 5-7 page count.

SOURCES

· Encyclopedias and dictionaries are NOT acceptable sources

· Newspaper and periodical sources are fine.  Published books are best!

· Use only scholarly sources

· Paper must contain at least 10 sources -    computer generated sources MUST have a publisher and date published -    if only books are used, 8 sources is sufficient -    be prepared to show hard copies of your sources on demand -    information verifiably published elsewhere that is retrieved from the Internet is NOT considered a computer-generated source.  Examples:  text of "I Have a Dream" speech, magazine archives, and newspaper archives.

· Use APA 5TH format for list of references and citations.

TOPICS

Must have to do with FEDERAL government, not local or state, and be about something current or within the last 40 years or so.  Incorporate both your knowledge of history, and government- where students should focus on effects of government action on people's lives today and in the recent past, and on how the various branches of government deal with the topic. 

	Brown v. Board of Education		Legalization of marijuana
	Merit System for Government		Prayer in public schools
	Legality of affirmative action		Restrictions on stem cell research
	Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage		Miranda rights
	Restrictions on partial birth abortions		Newdow v. U.S. Congress (Pledge of Allegiance "under God")
	Roe v. Wade		Watergate scandal
	Copyright law and internet music sharing		Student rights - search of locker, dorm and/or backpack on campus
	Federal wiretapping		US support for World Bank
	Brokering peace in the Middle East		Amnesty for illegal aliens
	Restrictions on civil rights post 9/11		Death penalty
	Abolishing the electoral college		Second amendment (gun) rights including the Heller case
	US Space Program		Government-funded health care or health insurance
	War Powers Resolution		Welfare Reform 1996
	US Energy Policy		Entitlement programs
	The 1992 Presidential Election		The 2000 Presidential Election
	The Military Industrial Complex		Campaign Finance Rules & Cases
	The FCC & the Media		Central Intelligence Agency