Federal Government
Federal Government: Instructions
Select ONE of the following topics to discuss for Writing Assignment 2. The writing assignment should be a minimum of 750 words. You should use information from the textbook and outside sources to complete the assignment in the textbook. You must include a Works Cited page and in-text citations. See the Writing Assignment Instructions for more information.
1) Writing Assignment 2 — Topics covered in Lessons 3 and 4
Find three polls on the same issue (for example, the death penalty, marijuana legalization, same-sex marriage, or any other policy topic) from three different time periods (such as the 1990s, the 2000s, and the 2010s). The polls MUST be about policy issues (not about a politician, candidate, or election campaign). Compare the polls by type (internet, phone), sample size, and the wording of the questions. Have the attitudes reflected in the polls concerning that issue changed or stayed relatively the same? If the polls show that attitudes have changed, what are some of the reasons for that change? [Hint: Pew Research and Gallup are good sources for public opinion data on policy issues.]
2)Read “In past elections U.S. trailed most countries in voter turnout.” How does the United States rank in voter turnout when compared to other developed democracies? According to your textbook, what are some of the causes of low voter turnout in the United States? Do you think it is important to have a high voter turnout? Why or why not? Discuss at least two ways to increase voter turnout. You should discuss proposals that are either being used in some states (or other countries) or have been proposed by voting rights advocates seeking to increase turnout in the United States. How successful have these proposals been at increasing turnout? Would these proposals actually increase turnout around the U.S. or would people resist the proposals you have discussed? Why or why not?
3)Current event paper (topic chosen by the student and approved by instructor): The purpose of this assignment is for students to provide their perspective on a domestic or foreign policy issue (for example, trade, cost of prescriptions drugs, military intervention, economic sanction, etc.). Students will prepare a summary and analysis of a current policy issue in American government. The issue must be reported in a news story during the term of the course (this news story is one of the sources you will use for the paper). A deeper understanding of the issue can be developed by reading additional articles or information on the topic. You must cite your reference (news story), as well as any other sources from which you use information in the writing assignment. The selected topic must be submitted to the instructor to ensure that it is appropriate for your analysis.
Choose one.
