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PSCI 100: U.S. Government and Politics (Professor Nash)

PSCI 100 Research Assignments

PSCI 100 U.S. Government & Politics ‘Rebuilding America’s Government’ (RAG) Group Project

Students will be allocated to one of eight groups made up of five-six students to work together on a project focused on researching a particular flaw in our government system (e.g. political structures, institutions, policies etc) and determine how it should be addressed. Designed as a scaffolded project, there is a due date assigned for each assignment. It is timed appropriately so that the next group member is set up for success.

To begin, each group member should choose one of the following roles:

Due Thurs, March 2nd by 11:59 PM

  • Role 1: Literature Review (1,500-1,600 words)
  • Role 2: Literature Review (1,500-1,600 words)

Due Thurs, April 13th by 11:59 PM

  • Role 3: Research Paper (1,500-1,600 words)
  • Role 4: Research Paper (1,500-1,600 words)

Due Tues, May 9th (Groups 1-4) or Thurs, May 11th (Groups 5-8) by 11:59 PM

  • Role 5: Policy Memo (1,000-1,100 words) + 15-minute oral presentation
  • Role 6: Policy Memo (1,000-1,100 words) + 15-minute oral presentation

This group project is made up of four components: 1) literature review 2) research essay 3) policy memo and 4) oral presentation. Together, these components are intended to develop students' core disciplinary knowledge, enhance independent and group research skills, written (academic) and verbal communication skills and demonstrate students' ability to develop original, critical thinking. It will require each group to research one flaw in our government, determine how it should be addressed and present their research to the class during Week 16 of the semester.

Sample themes (but not limited to) you could address:

A.  Electoral college

B.  Representation

C.  Interest Groups

D.  Elections/Voter Suppression

E.  Term Limits

F.   Redistricting

G.  Law Enforcement

H.  Immigration

 I.  Protecting U.S. interests globally

J.  Poverty

K.  Public Health

L.  Protecting the Environment

M. Political Polarization

Please consult Cougar Courses for complete assignment guidelines.