Determine A Policy For Your Final Paper And Begin Research

Determine a policy for your Final Paper and begin research regarding

This week, you will determine a policy for your Final Paper and begin your research regarding the policy of your choosing. Your paper should focus on a specific policy related to the United States government and should address the following components: the historical and constitutional basis for the American government’s structure, the system of checks and balances, the various roles concerning public policy and elections (such as public opinion, media, and interest groups), and the voting system and election process. You should select a policy that aligns with your major and future career, ensuring that research is available to support your ideas.

To start, review the POL201 Assignment Guide, the provided POL201 Final Paper template, and the POL201 Research Guide available in the online classroom. Consider policies discussed in the Week 2 Policy and Your Life discussion and examples provided in the resources. If you need approval for your chosen policy, contact your instructor or engage in discussions with peers.

Once a policy is selected, begin your research by establishing a clear thesis for your paper. As part of this week’s task, prepare an Annotated Bibliography for four sources you plan to use, with each annotation being at least five sentences. Each annotation should summarize the source and explain how it supports your paper’s focus. While your textbook can be used as a source, it does not count towards these four annotations. A total of at least eight sources will be necessary for the final paper, with at least five from the Ashford University Library databases.

Utilize library resources such as the “Help! Need Article” guide, the “Evaluating Sources” tutorial, and the POL201 Research Guide to locate credible scholarly, peer-reviewed, sources. Ensure all sources are valid, reliable, and unbiased. Consult the interactive tutorials if unsure about source credibility.

Download and complete the Week 2 Annotated Bibliography Worksheet from the online classroom, then submit it via Waypoint. Each section should be detailed with at least five sentences, fully addressing each prompt, and all references must be formatted in APA style. For assistance, review the Ashford Writing Center’s tutorials on writing and citing. Be sure to review the grading rubric to understand how your work will be evaluated.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of selecting a specific policy for the final paper begins with understanding the core components that make up a comprehensive analysis of public policies within the United States government. These components include the historical and constitutional foundations of the American political system, the mechanism of checks and balances, the roles of various entities such as the media, special interest groups, and public opinion in shaping policy and elections, and an in-depth understanding of the voting and election processes. This foundation ensures that the policy analysis is grounded in the structure and function of U.S. governance, providing context for why particular policies emerge and how they evolve over time.

To effectively develop the final paper, students are encouraged to review provided guides and templates, including the POL201 Final Paper template and the Research Guide, which serve as foundational tools for structuring their research and articulated arguments. The initial step is selecting a policy that directly impacts the functioning of the U.S. government and aligns with the student’s academic major or future career ambitions. Possible policies may include electoral reform, campaign finance regulations, voting rights laws, or other significant governance issues. Once a policy is chosen, the student must create a clear thesis statement that defines their position and the scope of their paper.

Research is a critical component of the assignment, requiring students to identify and analyze credible sources that support their arguments. Four scholarly sources should be selected initially, with each annotated in a paragraph that elaborates on the content of the source and its relevance to the chosen policy. As the research progresses towards the final submission, sources will be expanded to include at least eight, with the majority drawn from the Ashford University Library databases to ensure scholarly credibility. This rigorous research process enhances the quality and depth of the final paper, supporting well-informed arguments.

Library resources and tutorials are provided to assist students in identifying and evaluating appropriate sources, critical to avoiding biased or unreliable information. Submitting a completed Annotated Bibliography worksheet, which details the sources and their relevance, is an essential early step. The worksheet must be comprehensive, with each section containing at least five sentences to fully explain the source’s content and its connection to the policy argument. Proper APA formatting is mandatory for citations and references, ensuring academic integrity. Students are advised to consult the Ashford Writing Center for guidance on effective writing and citation practices, and to review the grading rubric carefully to meet all academic criteria for a successful final paper.

Overall, the first week’s focus on selecting a policy, initiating research, and organizing foundational sources sets the stage for producing a thorough, well-supported final analysis of a vital aspect of U.S. government policy. This approach fosters the development of critical thinking, research skills, and effective academic writing, all geared towards producing a comprehensive final paper that reflects an understanding of American political structures and their influence on policy-making.

References

Cameron, L. (2010). The Federalist Papers. Cambridge University Press.

Dahl, R. A. (2005). Who governs?: Democracy and power in an American city. Yale University Press.

Edelman, M. (2013). Political language: Words that work in Washington and around the world. Routledge.

Lowi, T. J., & Thomson, F. J. (2014). American government: Power and purpose. Pearson.

Pinkney, R. (2005). The government and politics of the European Union. Routledge.

Schmidt, B. C. (2010). Democracy and legitimacy in the European Union. Routledge.

Smith, M. (2014). Voting rights and election law. Oxford University Press.

Stromberg, D. (2012). Public opinion and American democracy. Princeton University Press.

Valentine, V. C. (2009). Understanding American politics. Cengage Learning.

Zaller, J. (1992). The nature and origins of mass opinion. Cambridge University Press.