PS 1: Intro to Government (M/W) Paper Project Assignment Spring 2020
Assignment Prompt: Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism are core features of the U.S. political system. Political conflicts between branches of government as well as between state governments and the federal government date back to 1787, but today these conflicts seem to have intensified and garnered a lot of attention from the public.
Identify one example of a conflict (or disagreement) between at least two branches of government, or one example of a conflict between at least one state government and the federal government during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Describe the conflict. Who wanted what? How were the powers of one branch of government used to stop (or stall) the actions of another branch of government?
Critically assess this conflict. Critical assessment might involve explaining an answer to one or more of the following questions: What does this conflict say about the health of U.S. democracy today? Was the conflict (not just the outcome) a good thing or a bad thing? Why? Is the conflict an example of each branch of government operating as it should? Is the conflict an example of some larger problem in U.S. political life today? What might Robert Dahl’s standards of democracy indicate about the conflict?
Some possible examples of conflict (This is not an all-inclusive list):
House oversight of the executive branch, such as (1) the impeachment process, (2) hearings into alleged collusion between the Trump Presidential Campaign and Russia during the 2016 election, or (3) hearings into the Trump administration’s family separation policy at the border.
Congressional efforts to limit President Trump’s options in foreign policy, such as sanctions on Russia or invocation of the War Powers Resolution with respect to Iran.
The government shutdown of 2019.
Any federal court ruling striking down or delaying a Trump Administration executive order, such as executive orders related to DACA, sanctuary cities, the status of transgender troops in the US military, or the so-called “Muslim Ban”.
The nomination and Senate confirmation of Brett Kavanagh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
President Trump’s pardon of Joe Arpaio.
Project Overview: This project consists of two parts. Part A is a 2-3 page annotated bibliography summarizing the sources you find as you begin doing research on your chosen topic. This part of the project is due approximately halfway through the semester. Part B is a 5-page paper answering the prompt above. The completed paper is due near the end of the semester. Specific details and requirements for each part of the project are listed on the next page.
Part A: The Annotated Bibliography
Due Date: Monday, April 20th
Points Possible: 100 (10% of semester grade)
Word Count: 800-1000 words (approximately 2-3 pages, double spaced)
Instructions: Identify, access, and read a minimum of five high quality sources with information related to your paper topic.
For each source:
Provide a full APA citation.
Provide a one-paragraph description of the information contained in that source and how it is relevant to your topic.
Provide a one-paragraph explanation of why the source should be considered high quality. For guidance on how to assess the quality of source, take a look at the first five critical questions suggested by the American Press Institute:
https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/publications/six-critical-questions-can-use-evaluate-media-content/ (Links to an external site.)
Format Requirements: Each annotated bibliography should be typed, double-spaced; use Times New Roman, size 12 font; and have 1 inch margins. Put your full name and the days & times your class meets at the top of the first page. Citations must use APA style. You must submit a hard copy in class and an electronic copy via Canvas.
