Write a short essay response to
your choice of TWO
of the following prompts. Write approximately 1 page (200-250 words) per prompt. Use 12-point font and double-spacing for readability. Total writing should be approximately 2 double-spaced pages (400-500) words. Save your answers in one Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf) document. Upload to Blackboard using the “Browse my computer” option.
Submissions that do not comply with these guidelines will not be graded.
This is NOT a research paper. You only need to use your textbook as a source. Provide proper citations if you quote but rely most on paraphrase and summary. Over-quotation will result in deduction of points.
Provide a Works Cited entry for your textbook at the conclusion of the essay.
This assignment is worth 100 points. See rubric below for grading expectations.
Grading
Rubric:
Understands course content 40
Displays strong critical thinking skills 30
Uses source respectfully 15
Displays excellent writing mechanics 15
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100 points total
Please note the late submission policy for essays in this class:
Late submissions will receive a 10% deduction per day late, up to 4 days. After 4 days, no credit will be given. Exceptions to this policy MAY be granted at my discretion with a reasonable and legitimate written excuse IF REQUESTED PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE. No extensions or exceptions will be granted if requested after the due date, under any circumstances.
- The mass media play four important (and sometimes overlapping) roles in U.S. politics.
· Identify the four roles of the media as discussed in your textbook. Define each one IN YOUR OWN WORDS
· Choose TWO of the four roles. Explain each one in depth (IN YOUR OWN WORDS), showing clearly how it affects media consumers (viewers and readers)
· Give examples of a news story (either real or made up) for each role. You may identify more than one role for a story, if appropriate, but be sure to apply all four roles in your examples. Clearly explain how and why the story fits the selected role.
- Freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, has two different parts.
- Identify the amendment that guarantees freedom of religion
- Name and explain each of the two types of freedom of religion, describing each clause that guarantees it.
- Compare and contrast the two types.
- For each type of freedom of religion, discuss an example of a controversy that the courts have decided on. You should have a total of two examples in this section, one for each type of freedom of religion.
- Do you think the current levels of religious freedom in the United States are appropriate? Why or why not? What changes, if any, would you suggest in how the court interprets religious freedom?
- The struggle for civil rights has included struggles for both de jure and de facto equality.
- Define de jure and de facto equality
- Explain the differences between them.
- Discuss which category the Civil Rights acts of 1964 and 1968 fit into, and why. Demonstrate your understanding of textbook content about these laws in your answer.
- Discuss which category affirmative action fits into and why. Demonstrate your understanding of the textbook content about the development of affirmative action in your answer.
- Express your own analysis of what the future should hold in the struggle for equality and why. Relate your opinion to your understanding of civil rights history AND your understanding of de jure and de facto inequality.
- Discuss the
two-party
system in U.S. politics.
- Why does the U.S. have a two-party system?
- What explains the differences between the multiparty systems in many democracies and our two-party system? Why are they different?
- Although they usually don’t win, what important roles do minor (third) parties play in U.S. politics?
- Do you think the U.S. two-party system is beneficial or harmful to U.S. politics? Explain your answer, being sure to refer to course content and what you’ve learned, rather than a knee-jerk opinion.