GOVT 315
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Thus far, you have considered various perspectives and built your own platform. Based on the readings that we have done, the conversations that we have had in class, the platforms that you and your peers have created, and the descriptions that have been provided of presidential candidates, write a 7-8 page, typed, double-spaced paper in which you endorse a presidential candidate (assuming that this is the single issue that will influence your presidential decision-making). In addition to what the appropriate group discussed in relation to your candidate, visit his/her web site yourself to gain additional information. In your paper: 1) Discuss the connection between your platform and the authors whom we have read. That is, what ideas influenced you? What ideas did you reject? Why? 2) Discuss how you believe the values that you see as central to your platform relate to the values of your chosen candidate. 3) Discuss how the policies that you advocate relate to the policies of your chosen candidate. 4) Discuss the criteria that you have used to select the candidate whom you endorse. That is, did you choose the candidate whose ideas best fit with yours? Did you choose a candidate who you see as ok, but electable? In your discussion, please make note of and discuss any places where your personal preferences differ from what your group proposed for your platform. How did the compromise that you reached come about? Do you feel that your compromise is one that would have to be made to create a politically viable platform? You should have a clear thesis for this paper. Finally, you need to turn in your initial values/policy perspectives responses and the brief response that you wrote to each of your group's meetings.
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Evaluation criteria: 1) Your ability to discuss both the course material, your platform, and your candidate. Be sure that your discussion of course authors accounts for each of their arguments as a whole. That is, do not focus on a component of the argument and ignore other significant parts. 2) Overall quality of writing. 3) Selection of quotations and evidence that furthers your point and is integrated smoothly into the paper. Finally, be sure that you cite all material that needs to be cited and that if you paraphrase, you really paraphrase. That is, be sure that you are not plagiarizing and that your citations are correct and include all necessary information. If you have questions, ask or visit the library's quick reference page on these issues. 4) Your reflection on your group's meetings. Note: If you use this paper to either write a letter to the Hill News or write a letter to a candidate, I will add up to .75 to your grade. If you wish to do this, see me and we will talk about details. |