American Politcs
1. Bureaucracy Assignment-
Choose any bureaucracy of your choice you may use your text or the internet to find a, federal or local agency and describe how it works. Who is in charge, what is their title, how long have they been in charge? What is the mission? In your opinion is this agency responsive, why or why not? What values does the agency represent? Is this agency successful in representing clients? What is the culture of this agency? Can you find any news articles or congressional hearings where people are advocating reform and change of this agency? (It may help to look at any GAO reports or a Congressional Hearing on C-Span) FEE: $20
2. Civil Rights/ Civil Liberties Letter to the Editor- You are only designing one letter however your one letter has two parts. Each part will be graded separately
You may choose any newspaper in the United States to write to the editor: Provide the name of the newspaper address, city and state. Make sure your properly format your letter
Part I of your letter: Explain your views on the Supreme Court case of Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003. You will first have to read the case then explain what the case is about to the Editor. Next you must describe what the majority opinion in the case and who was the justice (s) who ruled in favor of the case. Afterwards you must tell the Editor what you think of the case, was the majority opinion fair. Do you agree or disagree. Do you believe the ruling should be overturned, if so why. Do you believe citizens can benefit from the court case? If so, what citizens and why?
Part II of your letter: choose something specific such as privacy in social media or email privacy, or airplane security. You must do some research to have this discussion. How do you want your rights protected on the issue you selected? What do you want your elected officials to do about the issue you have addressed?
3. Research paper-
write a research paper using 12pt Times Roman font only (5 pages not including cover page and bibliography) on a contemporary political reform proposal of some aspect of the American political system.The paper should involve an analysis and critical examination of a contemporary political reform proposal of some aspect of the American political system. The following is a partial list of suitable topics.
a. Campaign finance reform
b. Immigration amendmentc
c. Federalism reforms
d. Welfare reform
e. Health care reform
f. Gay marriages reform
g. Military spending reformh.
i. Don't ask Don't tell reform
j. Homeland Security Reform (DHS)
k. Disaster Management Reform (FEMA)
l. Education reform (Higher Education or Elementary and High School)
m. Term limits
n. Immigration policy
o. Public funding for public broadcasting
p. Public funding for the arts.