State and Local Government Research Project

 

During the next month and half, you will be working on a research project on a state or local issue.  The goal of this project is for you to learn about state and local government by focusing on a particular issue of interest to you.

 

The final product will be a 3-5-page (typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. font) position paper in which you discuss the historical background of your issue, suggest a governmental response (or no response) and defend that course of action by anticipating the arguments against your chosen course of action.  One example might be whether or not the state government should raise the cap on charter schools, increasing the number beyond the 100 currently allowed under the law.

 

You will work on this project step by step and I will either check or collect each step along the way.  While you are working on this project at home, in class, we will be studying how state and local government are organized.  The majority of your homework over the next few weeks will relate to this project.  The final project will be worth two test grades.

 

 

STEP I: Choose a topic.

Choose a topic from the list below or pick one of your own devising.

Possible topics:           the lottery

                                    regional rail

                                    moratorium on the death penalty

                                    charter schools

                                    hog lagoons

                                    end of grade/course testing

teenage driving  (including the teenage driving law - only one non

family passenger)

                                    environmental issues – city/town recycling laws, clean waterways

                                    infant mortality (NC has one of the highest rates of infant

mortality)

raising the tax on tobacco

raising or lowering tuition at NC universities.

           

 

Friday, February 28th – Topic paragraph due.  Write a paragraph in which you describe your topic. (HW grade)

 

 

Step II: Research your topic’s historical background and the possible government actions.  When you take notes it is CRITICAL that you indicate the source of each note you take. Also, be sure to write down the full bibliographic information for each source.  ALSO, turn in a three-source bibliography (in the correct format).

Monday, March 10th  - I will check for at least three full pages of notes. (triple HW grade)

 

 

Step III: Outline your paper.  Be sure to include an introduction and conclusion and sections of the historical background of your issue, the possible options and your suggestion for what the state and or local government should do.  Be specific about which branch of government would need to act and how they would implement your proposal.  Also include a defense of your proposal.

Thursday, March 13th – turn in a one-to-two-page typed outline (Quiz Grade)

 

 

Step IV: Write a rough draft.  Your rough draft must include FOOTNOTES and a final bibliography.  I will read your rough draft and return it to you ASAP.

Thursday, March 27th – 3-5 page, typed, rough draft due (Quiz Grade)

 

Step V: Revise and write a final draft.  With your final draft, turn in a final bibliography and the copy of the rough draft that I read.  You will lose 20 points if you have lost your graded rough draft.  I want to see if you’ve paid attention to my comments.

Thursday,  April 10th – turn in the final draft (Double test grade)