POLS101 American Government class

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #1

Directions

:

It is an Article I (of the U.S. Constitution) s

tudy tool.  Please follow these instructions carefully.

1.

Review the materials in the handouts and text dealing with the “Separation of Powers” and “Checks & 

Balances.”

2.

Prepare a research paper that addresses the following issues:

a.

What is the doctrine of 

“Separation of Powers”?

b.

Why did the founding fathers believe that a system of “Check and Balances” was an essential 

element for inclusion in the Constitution?  This section of the paper must include a minimum of 

three  quotes  from  three  people  who  attended

the  Constitutional  Convention?    (Hint:   

The 

Federalist Papers

).

c.

How  have  recent  developments  in  American  Government  eroded  the  Separation  of  Powers 

contained in the Constitution?

d.

Tell me whether you think the Separation of Powers and Checks & Balances a

re a good idea or 

not.  Why?  This section should be no more than two paragraphs in length).

Address these issues in a paper of 

AT LEAST

f

our

(

4

) pages in length.  The paper should be typed, double

-

spaced, 

1” margins, with a font size no larger than 12 p

oint,  nor  smaller  the  10  point.   

Undertake  as  much  outside 

research  as  necessary  to  adequately  answer  the  questions  a