1. Explain the major differences between Biden and Trump on civil liberties and civil rights. What positions has each candidate taken? What are the political motivations behind these positions? What will happen to civil liberties and civil rights if each candidate wins? In your answer, take careful account of electoral politics and the institutional constraints on the presidency.
2. Pick one of the measures on the California ballot this year. Explain which organizations are supporting each side. Will it pass? In your answer, take careful account of interest group activity, campaign finance, and survey research.
3. Pick a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution. What is the political motivation behind the proposal? What are the arguments for and against it? If you were a member of Congress, would you support it?
Here are some examples -- among many others -- from the 116th Congress:
For useful information, go to the Honnold library website, where you may find such resources as CQ Library and Proquest Congressional.
2. Pick one of the measures on the California ballot this year. Explain which organizations are supporting each side. Will it pass? In your answer, take careful account of interest group activity, campaign finance, and survey research.
3. Pick a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution. What is the political motivation behind the proposal? What are the arguments for and against it? If you were a member of Congress, would you support it?
Here are some examples -- among many others -- from the 116th Congress:
- S.J. Res. 1 (term limits)
- S.J. Res. 16 (direct election of the president)
- H.J. Res. 2 (campaign finance)
- H.J. Res. 24 (voting in territories)
- H.J. Res. 23 (voting age)
- H.J. Res. 35 (ERA)
- H.J. Res. 49 (apportionment by citizen population)
- H.J. Res. 53 (size of the Supreme Court)
For useful information, go to the Honnold library website, where you may find such resources as CQ Library and Proquest Congressional.
4. Write on any relevant topic of your choice, subject to my approval.
You may also find useful resources on my webpage
Please let me know if you come across any broken links.
Please let me know if you come across any broken links.
- Your sources may include specialized references such as The Almanac of American Politics, but do not cite general-purpose encyclopedias such as Encyclopaedia Britannica and Encyclopedia Americana. And especially do not cite Wikipedia.
- Assignments should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than six pages long. Use 12-point type and one-inch margins.
- Cite your sources with endnotes, which should be in standard Turabian format. The author's first name goes first.
- Endnote pages do not count against the page limit.
- Watch your spelling, grammar, diction, and punctuation. Errors will count against you.
- Return assignments to the class Sakai dropbox (in Word format, not pdf) by 11:59 PM, October 30. I reserve the right to dock essays one gradepoint for one day’s lateness and a full grade for two or more days’ lateness.
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