Government homework help. Project 2
Evaluation 32
American Government 1: Theories, Policies and Politics
SSTH 037 059
Be sure to include ALL pages oof this project (including the directions and the assignment) when you send the project to your teacher for grading. Don’t forget to put your name and I.D. number at the top of this page!
This project will count for 11% of your overall grade for this course. Be sure to read all the instructions and assemble all the necessary materials before you begin.
State and Local Government
Choose EITHER Option A or Option B to complete this project. You may do your project as a written paper, a PowerPoint Presentation, or a website.
- If you do a written paper, it should be at least 3 pages (900 words), typed, and double-spaced.
- If you do a Power Point Presentation, you should have at least 15 slides and use at least two visual aids (charts, photos, etc.).
- If you do a website, you will need to have a well-organized layout that meets all grading criteria and uses at least two visual aids (charts, photos, etc.). You will need to send the URL for your site to your teacher with your project submission. Your website should be equal in substance and information to a three-page paper.
Be sure to cite each source that you use (including any images you use for visual aids). Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which may be accessed online or in many libraries. Your project should be free from spelling, typing, and grammatical errors.
Option A: State Legislature
Select a bill from a state legislature that you think is important. Discuss the bill’s progress through the legislature. Be sure to note the state and bill about which you are writing at the start of your project.
Use the journals and proceedings of your state’s legislature as the basis for your project. These records are available online as well as in many libraries. Also, newspapers and local news programs may be helpful.
Your project will be graded according to the following criteria:
- An explanation of the bill. (25 points)
- The significance of the bill. Note its purpose and describe the changes it will bring.(25 points)
- A summary of discussion about the bill. (25 points)
- Explanation of the bill’s passage or failure. Note the results of the final vote. How many legislators voted for the bill, and how many voted against it? Did one political party favor the bill more than the other?(25 points)
Option B: Local Reform
Imagine a civic reform that you would like to make in your local community. Some examples of civic reform are provided. They are only examples, and you do NOT have to choose one of them. Choose an issue that is important in your town or area.
- a new traffic safety law (e. g., reserving certain lanes on busy streets for bicyclists or prohibiting bicycling on busy streets, reserving certain roads for car pools)
- a new environmental protection law (e. g, annual or bi-annual inspection of vehicle exhaust systems)
- public support for a local charity (e. g., shuttle service for donors to a local blood bank)
- a public work (e. g., a new road, a dog run area, a park, a shooting range, a swimming pool, new parking areas)
- a public service (e. g., improved bus routes or schedules, new requirements for road maintenance, more efficient garbage collection, greater access to recycling drop-offs, public safety seminars)
- repeal of an unnecessary law (e. g., a leash law for cats, a high local tax, restrictions on where restaurants and stores can be located)
- redirecting city funds (e. g., cutting support for an unpopular tourist attraction and using the money to improve roads)
Explain the issue and why you think the reform is necessary. Then describe the steps you would need to take to enact the reform. Use at least one source to document the political processes in your community.
Your presentation will be graded as follows:
- Explanation of the issues (assume your teacher is not familiar with them). (20 points)
- Explanation of why your reform is necessary. (20 points)
- Explanation of what your reform will involve. Your idea should be feasible, practical, and realistic. If it involves spending, explain how your city or county will pay for it. Evaluate both the gains and costs associated with your reform. (20 points)
- Explanation of local political processes. (20 points)
- Step-by-step plan of how your reform will be enacted. (20 points)
To submit your project:
- If you write an essay, type it in the space provided at the end of this document (scroll down).
- If you do a Power Point presentation, save it on your desktop.
- If you do a website, copy and paste your URL into the space provided at the end of this document (scroll down).
Save your project assignment, using the course number, your name, and the project number in your file’s title:
SSTH037059_ABStudent_Project2.doc OR SSTH037059_ABStudent_Project2.ppt
Go to your course management system to upload your project file.
If you are submitting a file larger than 5000 K (5 MG), you will need to use the UNHS Dropbox. DO NOT use the Dropbox if your file is less than 5000 K.
For directions on how to use the Dropbox, go to the homepage of your course management system and click the DROPBOX link in the navigation panel. If you use the Dropbox, it will give you a URL. Paste the URL into the space provided at the end of this document (scroll down). Then submit this document so your teacher can access your presentation with the URL. Go to your course management system to upload this document for submission.
GRADING RUBRIC FOR PROJECT 2
Option A
| Category | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor |
| An explanation of the bill (25 points) |
The provisions of the bill are clearly explained in such a way that someone not familiar with it will understand it. Description is detailed. | A clear description of the bill’s provisions but not as many details as an “excellent” answer. | A general description of the bill’s provision. | A vague description of the bill’s provisions; understanding of the bill is not clear. |
| The significance of the bill (25 points) |
Detailed discussion of the powers the bill would give to or take from the state government and how the bill might affect relations between state and national government. | Clear description of powers the bill would give to or take from the state government. | General description of powers the bill would give to or take from the state government. | Vague or incomplete description of powers the bill would give to or take from the state government. |
| A summary of discussion about the bill (25 points) |
Detailed discussion of debate about the bill. Arguments for and against are noted completely and fairly. | Clear description of debate about the bill but not as many details as an “excellent” answer. | General description of debate about the bill or only side of the argument is presented. | Vague or incomplete description of debate about the bill; neither side of the argument is clear. |
| Explanation of the bill’s passage or failure (25 points) |
Detailed discussion of the bill’s course through the legislature. How much debate was there, how long did the debate last, how close was the vote, did the governor approve it? | Clear discussion of the key points in the debate about the bill. | Basic discussion of the key points in the debate about the bill. | Vague discussion of the key points in the debate about the bill. |
GRADING RUBRIC FOR PROJECT 2
Option B
| Category | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor |
| Explanation of the issues (assume your teacher is not familiar with them) (20 points) |
A detailed explanation of the issue, written so someone not familiar with it will understand it. | A clear explanation of the issue but not as many details as an “excellent” answer. | A basic or general explanation of the issue. | A vague or incomplete explanation of the issue. |
| Explanation of why your reform is necessary (20 points) |
A detailed explanation of what your reform will accomplish, who it will affect, and why it will benefit your community, written so someone not familiar with it will understand it. | A clear explanation of your reform goals but not as many details as an “excellent” answer. | A basic or general explanation of your reform goals. | A vague or incomplete explanation of your reform goals. |
| Explanation of what your reform will involve (20 points) |
Analysis of what impact your reform will have on government. Will it increase or decrease the local government’s power, and which governmental powers will be affected? | A clear explanation of how your reform will change your local government but not as many details as an “excellent” answer. | A basic or general explanation of how your reform will change your local government. | A vague or incomplete explanation of how your reform will change your local government. |
| Explanation of local political processes (20 points) |
Detailed description of the type of local government you have. | Clear description of the type of local government you have but not as many details as an “excellent” answer. | Basic or general description of the type of local government you have. | Vague or incomplete description of the type of local government you have. |
| Step-by-step plan of how your reform will be enacted (20 points) |
Detailed explanation of the process through which your reform can be implemented; steps reflect understanding of how your local government operates. | Clear explanation of the process through which your reform can be implemented. | Basic or general explanation of the process through which your reform can be implemented. | Vague explanation of the process through which your reform can be implemented; the process is not clear. |
[If you do the essay option, begin typing here.]
[If you do a website or submit your project with the UNHS Dropbox, paste URL here.]
