Political science

The last reading and writing assignment laid the foundation for this present assignment by providing the tools required to perform a practical analysis of a public policy. This present assignment calls for you to use those tools to perform an analysis of the essential provisions of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Your task is to describe the background of the “welfare” issue, the basic national values that create the need for this (welfare) policy, the winners and the losers etc. Then, methodically apply the steps in the Chambers model to determine the adequacy, equity and efficiency of related TANF policy. In order to render judgments about adequacy, efficiency and equity, you should: Identify the basic policy elements (goals and objectives; forms of benefits etc.), sub-types or sub-elements (long vs. short term etc.; personal counseling, cash benefits, subsidies etc.) Identify the basic evaluation criteria you are using to evaluate the policy (Fit between goals and underlying purposes and values; clarity of goals etc.; stigmatization, target efficiency, cost-effectiveness of the form of benefits etc.) Although this policy provides a block grant to the several states and allows discretion in the way that its basic provisions are carried out, you may restrict your analysis to the basic provisions of TANF: assisting needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes reducing the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families One good source of information on TANF is provided by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: https://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-an-introduction-to-tanf Organize this assignment as you see fit but consider using the same table form that Chambers uses to identify policy elements sub-elements and evaluation criteria that lead you to your evaluation which you may do by adding a column to the table or adding additional narrative. I am not looking for an exhaustive analysis of this policy. While you should try to identify all of the basic policy elements (goals, form of benefits, eligibility rules, service delivery organization and financing), identifying just one or two sub-types and evaluative criteria, that is, enough to support your preliminary conclusions, will be sufficient. It is important to note that all of the elements of a policy should work together to accomplish the goals of the policy. Thus, a “challenge” to the adequacy of the policy (the ability of the policy to meet the goals of the policy) may reside in the form of benefits or in the organization of service delivery or financing etc. PAGE LENGTH- 4-5 pages.

For this portion of the exam you will have to answer a total of three of the following questions, one from the first three, one from the second four, and a third of your choosing from any of the seven. For your exam you must answer one of this first set of three questions. According to Habermas, what is the public sphere? What is Habermas’ ideal speech situation (aka rational critical discourse) and what should result from it? Does rational critical discourse occur within our political media? If so, when and where (think about what particular media formats or outlets)? If not, why not? Did the recent presidential debates have a proclivity towards RCD? Why or why not?  What is the binary discourse of American civil society? How is this binary related to Habermas’ ideal vision of civil society?  In what ways can a political actor or institution be discussed utilizing these binaries? Describe an example in which these binaries are disseminated. Why, after an examination of the binary discourse present in American civil society, does Alexander conclude that we can never have a perfect civil society or public sphere?      Habermas argues that political communication must be rational in order to be effective.  On the other hand, Alexander and others argue that political communication is performative. What do they mean by this? (Think cultural scripts, drama, and recognizable narratives). Be sure to define the concept of performative rationality. Argue your position in reference to this debate. That is, by using examples from our media (be specific), answer these two pertinent questions: which type of political communication is more likely to occur?  In your opinion is one type of communication more ideal/desirable? Why? Which one do you think is more effective? Why?   For your exam must answer one of this second set of four questions. What is a political gaffe? Is understanding political gaffes important for political campaign coverage? Why? How are gaffes connected to the construction of authenticity? Be sure to describe the process by which gaffes are constructed. What are some of the communicative strategies used by politicians to mitigate a gaffe moment? Which strategy do you think is most effective? Lastly, if you worked on a campaign how would you administer this strategy? What is political polarization? How has political polarization shifted over the last couple of decades? Describe using examples. How is this process connected to media bias? Be sure to define and describe the type of media bias that is connected to political polarization. Lastly, what are echo chambers, and how are they connected to confirmation bias and political polarization? (Be sure to describe echo chambers and confirmation bias.)    There have been a number of recent changes in technology and policy that have altered the dissemination and impact of political advertisements. First, describe two of these changes and their impacts on contemporary political advertisements. Second, describe two strategies you would take to create an effective political advertisement. Lastly, describe an empirical example of an existent effective advertisement that used those strategies (link to the advertisement if possible).  Describe three characteristics of the troll community of 4chan. Connect these characteristics to at least three of the anxieties expressed by alt-right trolls. Describe these anxieties and why they are connected to the political positions of the alt-right. Next describe how these communities use bots and memes to signify their political positions and attempt to influence politicians and the public. (Be sure to define the concepts of memes and bots.)      One of the most important insights of the aesthetic public sphere paradigm is that entertainment media and serious political debate cannot be so easily separated. Utilizing this framework, select and describe a pop culture text or icon that emphasizes this social fact. That is, describe how this entertainment text or icon enters into “serious” political issues.  How can these fictional characters or celebrity personalities be used to take a political stance? Lastly, why does this further problematize the ubiquitous desire for RCD?

The purpose of the final exam is to demonstrate that you have not only understood the fundamental ideas presented during the course of the semester, but are capable of making and defending a coherent argument using what you have learned.  The final exam is due on Friday, December 18 by  3:20 p.m. and it is to be uploaded to Canvas.  This will count as 35% of your grade for this course.  No late papers will be accepted.  What that means is that Canvas will not accept submissions beginning at 3:20 p.m. on that day. Nor will I, via email. If you are having difficulty uploading your paper to Canvas, you may email it to me prior to that time and date. If the time stamp on your email reads anything later than 3:20 p.m. on that day, it will be considered an F.  If I were you I would get it done and uploaded WAY before that time.  You may use any readings that we have done this semester, including readings not originally on the syllabus that were added during the semester.  That means Tocqueville is in play.  As is the Federal Court case on Canvas, Trump Inc. vs. Boockvar. Here is the catch:  The final exam is not a paper.  It is a three-page long, single-spaced, detailed outline complete with correct and proper citation format as outlined in class (see handout: “How To Write A Paper”), which is to be formally presented in class on the day of the final.  You will have seven minutes to do so, followed by Q and A.  Any presentation going under six minutes will negatively affect the final grade.  The thirty second warning will be given as usual to keep accurate time.  I highly suggest you practice your timing on a stopwatch before the day of the final exam. The order of presentations will be on a voluntary basis.  All students must remain in class for the duration of the final, and Q and A will follow each presenter.  I will be keeping track of all Q and A participants, and thus every one of you must ask at least one question at some point, regardless of presentation order.  The limit of questions to each presenter will be three.  Answer The Following Question: In this year alone, we have witnessed a unique Presidential Election, and a rare exercise, and/or non-exercise as the case may be, of power from the Judicial Branch and the Legislative Branch.  So, in your considered view, is the Executive branch of government really the most powerful of the three?  If so, why?  If not, why not?  What interrelationships are involved?  In your answer, include an explication how the Federalists believed the relative power of each branch might be and why, and then go to the readings to back up your argument.  Other than that, how you use historical analyses found in the textbooks is at your discretion. You must use at least five sources in your answer.  What is a source?  Pika is one source.  Nelson is one source. The Federalists Papers is one source.  The Constitution is one source.  The speeches collectively are one source.  Any individual Supreme or Federal Court case counts as one source, and you have no limit as to how many you may use.  (If you wish to expand your use of Supreme or Federal Court cases, you may do so, but they must be approved by me first, the only reason being to show the relevance of your chosen case, and I might be able to steer you in a more helpful direction, if necessary.)  The media, in all of its forms, collectively count as a single source, and there is no limit as to how many media outlets you may use, but choose wisely.  The Tocqueville reading counts as one source. That is eight total available sources, and you need only use five.   The best answers will clearly identify your own “So-What Factor”, and the top three arguments defending it.  This question may sound broad, but it is to examine how you analyze the Presidency in terms of not only the founding of the United States, but also if or how that has changed over time.  You may take any direction you wish, but the overall point is to be clear and ruthlessly organized.  STAKE YOUR CLAIM AND OWN IT.

Create a 12-slide presentation using PowerPoint that examines conservatism. The presentation should consist of 8-10 content slides as well as a title slide and a reference slide for a total of 10-12 slides. The following content should be included in the presentation: An explanation of what conservatism is Discussion of the major tenets of conservatism (The pessimistic view of human nature, necessity of hierarchy, etc.) Factors that contributed to the development of American conservatism Major American conservatism thinkers (major American conservatism thinkers can be subdivided for each leading figure) Include graphics to help illustrate the presentation. Include detailed speaker notes for each content slide. Addtional instructions:  Criteria: Content; The presentation provides a comprehensive inclusion of all content criteria. Explanations are comprehensive with strong evidence. Presentation of Content: The content is written clearly and concisely. Ideas universally progress and relate to each other. The project includes motivating questions and advanced organizers. The project gives the audience a clear sense of the main idea.  organization, Effectiveness, and Format: Layout; The layout is visually pleasing and contributes to the overall message with the appropriate use of headings, subheadings, and white space. Text is appropriate in length for the target audience and to the point. The background and colors enhance the readability of the text. Language Use and Audience Awareness (includes sentence construction, word choice, etc.: The writer uses a variety of sentence constructions, figures of speech, and word choice in distinctive and creative ways that are appropriate to purpose, discipline, and scope. Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use): Writer is clearly in control of standard, written, academic English. Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style): Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.

Topic: How does 24/7 news and social media impact a presidential election? We are basing our press standards off of the first amendment which was written before electricity was even common. We are living in a futuristic world compared to the world the founders existed in, which begs the question should there be a constitutional amendment focusing on media regulation and demarcating between fact and opinion on media and social media outlets?  Instructions:  The final paper must contain an abstract, 10-12 full pages of content, double-spaced, with standard 1-inch margins and 12-point standard font and bibliography.  You must use APA or Chicago/Turabian style for citations.   All papers must use a minimum of five primary and five secondary sources.  You may use the sources assigned for this course, but you may not count them toward the minimum sources for your project.  At least two of your secondary sources must be academic journal articles. Your paper should have a minimum of 10 sources, five primary and five secondary sources. (If you are unfamiliar with this distinction, check out the information here: http://subjectguides.library.american.edu/primary.) Restrict your sources to newspaper articles from major national and international papers, published journals and magazine articles, academic sources, and websites from major organizations and government agencies. Course materials may be used as a reference, but it does not count toward the minimum number of sources. Encyclopedias and dictionaries are not appropriate sources for college level work. Online sources are fine, but they must be authoritative sources. Wikipedia, About.com, and other nonacademic websites are not acceptable sources. (Bear in mind that anyone can submit an article to Wikipedia.)  If you are unsure about how to determine whether an online source is a good one, the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University has an excellent resource guide: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/553/1/. If you still have doubts as to whether a source is acceptable, send your instructor an e-mail.  Citations: All direct quotes from any source must be in quotation marks or indented and identified as a quotation in APA or Chicago/Turabian format. If you have questions about how to do this, consult the reference guides at UMUC’s Effective Writing Center. In addition, anytime you use information from a source, even if it is not a direct quote, you must include the source.  When you use quotations in your paper, you must cite the source, using the standard APA or Turabian format. The general rule of thumb for the ratio of original writing to quotes is at least four lines of analysis for any line that you quote. For the most part, you should paraphrase your sources, instead of quoting directly. Remember, as well, that you must cite your source for any sections that are paraphrased or from which you used specific information. Generally speaking, unless the paragraph consists solely of analysis or your own opinion, you should be citing a source (or sources) at the end of the paragraph.

Question: Canada has a longstanding and stable tradition of democracy reflected in law, conventions and practices. Drawing on all course lectures and materials: Discuss the practice of democracy in Canada, in all the branches of government and levels of government. Make sure to include how Constitutional Conventions work in Canada to make our government more democratic, how parliamentary government works (including in its various branches and their organization e.g. executive, legislative), briefly how the judicial/courts fit in, and of course elections. Be as detailed as you can to explain how the Canadian democratic parliamentary government operates.

Instructions You are a lobbyist for an issue that you find important. For example, you would like to see the banning of smoking in federal buildings (Note: This policy has already been enacted, please don’t use banning of smoking in federal buildings) You are going to make an informational pamphlet to highlight your points to prominent members of Congress. Research members of Congress that you will target in your lobbying. Explain why these members are critical to your goal. Make a plan of action and produce a pamphlet supporting your cause. Who will you be reaching out to? Why? Write a cover letter to a Congressional member and include your reasoning for reaching out to them in particular in the letter. Remember a lobbyist is only as good as the information they provide. A lobbyist who provides incomplete or unreliable information will soon be unemployed, or lose access to officials. Cover letter should: Follow a standard business format Correctly address your Congressperson ( Jesus G “Chuy” Garcia) Use the correct postal address (5624 W Diversey Ave Chicago, IL 60639) Explain your choice to write to this representative in particular, and provide your pamphlet. For example, maybe your research showed that this representative sponsored legislation on this issue in the past. Pamphlet should: Define the problem. Tells us exactly what the problem is. Detail its urgency and provide data. Be objective. Analyze the problem. Provide relevant data. Tell us how to make sense of the data. Provide any findings Offer a recommendation. Do not generalize. Be specific. Must be persuasive. Cite four scholarly sources Submit your cover letter and pamphlet for grading. Writing Requirements (APA format).  Length: Cover letter to Congressman should be only 1 page 1-inch margins 12-point Times New Roman font Reference page (minimum of 4 scholarly sources)

Outline the relationship between political (specifically, Cabinet and First Minister) and administrative (specifically, bureaucratic) actors in Canada’s Westminster system.  In your answer, be sure to outline:  the general role of each actor; the role of each actor in decision-making; and, the accountability of each actor. Then, identify one potential weakness or challenge to the relationship between political and administrative actors in Canada’s Westminster system. Finally, develop an argument about how you would address that challenge/weakness that you identified. It is impossible to provide an estimated length for an ‘A’ answer. The best advice is to layout your answer and be sure to answer all the points above carefully. Also, be sure to have a clear and forceful thesis early on in your essay. please ensure to have up to 13 paragraphs.

hoices about topics and readings that inevitably leave out important international issues. For this short paper identify a topic and reading or set of readings that you think should be added to Introduction to International and Area Studies class. Explain the significance of the topic and how it contributes to either the politics and markets or society and culture section. Describe the reading(s), identify the key arguments and/or insights that you think students should take away from it or them, and provide a hypothetical exam question. The main reading should be an academic article or book chapter, but you can supplement this with a news article, short video, etc.short video, etc.

ESSAY QUESTIONS Povide comprehensive and logically consistent responses in approximately 2-3 pages for each of the questions.  NOTE: There is no advantage to answering more than 2 questions because I will only grade the first two answers sequentially. Evaluate a current policy debate (e.g.; gun policy, healthcare, criminal justice, environmental policy, immigration, etc) in the U.S. Use a scientific theory and apply the scientific method to describe, explain, or develop an understanding of an aspect of the policy you choose. Your answer must include at least the following elements: (1) identify the question, problem, or puzzle; (2) outline the theory that provides a means for evaluating the question and explain that theory like you are telling a story about the subject; (3) generate a hypothesis that follows logically from the theory; and (4) describe a rigorous test for your question     What is the scientific method? Why is valid and reliable research important for civil society? How do we excavate the power dynamics of the knowledge-building process? How do we demystify research for the public?  HINT: Make sure to define and cite all the terms you utilize in your responses.  *Your responses should be logical arguments made up of the following components:  (1) claim: your response to the questions (2) reasons to believe your claim (3) evidence from empirical research to support each of your reasons; (4) warrant (justify your claim with legal, ethical, philosophical, and theoretical touchstones [e.g.; 14th Amendment, the principle of least harm, etc]; and (5) address alternative views on the questions and demonstrate that your claim/response is superior to the alternatives.