Assignment: Representation Paper
Length: 5-7 pages.
General Instructions: For this paper, you will research California's congressionaldelegation in the United States House of Representatives. You will be assigned a district to research.
Part I: The District and the Representative
1. Describe the district and its voters: district history, geography, demographics, voting history, major employers. Include a map of the district in an appendix.
2. Provide some basic biographical information about the current member of congress: occupation, party, previous elected offices held, elections won and lost, etc.
3. What are the member's positions on political issues? Do these match up with member's party's platform? In order to answer this question, you will need to familiarize yourself with the party's platform.
4. Describe the member's committee and subcommittee membership: (include description of the work that these committees do) andleadership positions, if any
5. Who has contributed the most to the member's campaigns?
6. Describe your member's legislative record: how they vote, what legislation are they involved in crafting, etc. Is there a connection between this record and campaign contributors? How does this match up with the information provided on the member's website?
7. How is the member scored according to various interest groups?How does this match up with how the member presents himself?
8. You must find and describe some non-partisan criticism of either your representative or one of the laws your representative has voted for and has passed.
Part II: Sources
All sources must be properly cited using the APSA format. Sources may include books, newspaper and magazine articles, scholarly journals, and personal interviews. You may not use the course textbooks, Wikipedia, lecture notes, or blogs. You should also use "Internet only" content sparingly. If you have any questions about what kinds of sources are acceptable or how to properly cite them, please ask me.
Part III: Formatting
The assignment should be 5-7 pages typed and presented in a professional manner. The assignment must be typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font, double-spaced with one inch margins, and paginated. Papers should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. Do not use folders, binders, or clips. Do not insert pictures or photographs, or use any colored ink. This assignment does not require a cover page. Do not include pictures, charts, graphs or color.
Part IV: Writing
Your paper must be both thorough and concise, and display college level writing. Quotes should be used sparingly. The paper must demonstrate critical thinking. Writing should be in proper paragraphs without bullet points. It should always be clear what question you are answering. This paper does not require an introduction or a conclusion.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.