Research Paper
Provide critical analysis of an issue and policy intended to address it. For instance, some issue which students have suggested are:
• Water or drought in California
• Educational spending proposals
• Impact of Proposition 47 (reducing sentencing)
• California Health Care Challenges and Solutions
• State Budget and Reform Concepts, e.g., pension reform or realignment
• Challenge of transportation (high speed rail) and environment (AB 32 or water)
• Other as approved by instructor
Develop the topic into a fairly narrowly focused "mini" research paper. The idea is to choose a topic that is sufficiently narrow and focused so that it is manageable in a 12-15 page paperplus references and cover page. Regardless of the topic you choose, your paper must present some kind of analysis supported by published research.
Analysis involves asking an important question. What, for example, are the most important features of a political conflict that generates notice of a relevant issue? Or, which features of a political issue or reform merits change and is significant in California Politics today? For instance: Water and the implications of drought? Building a peripheral canal? The effects of campaign reform financing?
Proposal and minimum sources
Please forward by e-mail attachment to me by March 1st a one page statement of your proposal and five annotated tentative references. Optional: an outline or initial draft of the paper can be e-mailed any time for comment up to the last week of March. The final draft is due by March 31st
Your annotated references should identify aminimum of five separate sources of information(in addition to the course text) about your topic. The more recent the sources - the better. Articles are more useful than books. Conduct a decent literature search in ProQuest. Be cautious when using only WWW sources. They are not all equally credible.
Avoid only popular magazines - Time, Newsweek, Psychology Today, Parents Magazine, etc. Similarly, avoid electronic sources for which the organizational affiliation is unknown. Critically review and cautiously use any material from an organization or agency that has a specific agenda, e.g., A.C.L.U., government agency, etc. Seek help from one of the Reference librarians in the Pearson Library
Final papers will be 12-15 pages in length and will analyze specific institutional and political influences placed upon policy development in the selected issue area using, in part, the information and interaction provided your written sources and the Sacramento persons with whom you met and their staffs.
Generally papers should be presented as policy briefs taking the following format:
1. Statement of the issue and its significance
2. Context or Background of the Issue
3. Pros and Cons of the issue (including what groups support each side)
4. Your views on the feasibility and desirability of one or more options
Final Class Presentation
Students are asked to condense the analysis of their final paper into a short (no longer than 10-12 minutes / no more than 10 slides) PowerPoint presentation to fellow students and lead a discussion following on the topic.
Generally one side equals one minute of presentation. Do not read your slides, or indeed read from prepared notes. Serve as the instructor of the class and attempt to engage and inform others. Slides should use large font and graphics, minimizing writing in favor of visual communication. There will be time (up to 15 minutes) for question and answer to explore in greater depth anything you feel you have had to leave out but is vital.