• US Government Current Events Assignment
     
    (to download a copy of this assignment, click here)

    Your assignment is to write a report that summarizes a US Government current event. I define “current” as something happening in the last seven days.

    Pointers:

    Find a story that centers on some part of the American government that directly impacts American citizens. Hint: stories, such as a government official traveling abroad would not necessarily qualify.

    Current events can come from just about any news source (newspaper, internet, TV, etc.). However, if a current event was found on TV, you must also find a written report to collaborate your story.

    Some helpful political websites might include;

    http://www.drudgereport.com/(has the best selection by far)

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/(on par with Drudge)

    http://www.foxnews.com/(click on the “Politics” section)

    http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/

    http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/politics/main250.shtml

    http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6729487/site/newsweek/

    http://news.myway.com/index/id/politics%7Cap.html

    http://news.myway.com/index/id/whitehouse%7Cap.html

    Report Grading Rubric:

    Format – minimum one typed page, 12pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins on all sides. Note: If you submit ½ a page you get ½ credit.

    Answer the following questions in paragraph form;

    1. Why should we care and how does it impact us directly? You will need to find a story that you care about. If the event does not have an impact on you, find another story.

    2. Who is responsible and what are the external forces behind the event? Identify the person(s), their political affiliation if available (Democrat / Republican, senator, etc), and part that they play in the story (i.e. sympathetic to one side of the cause).

    3. What part does this story play in the political process? I.E. – Is the story geared towards gaining influence, promoting new legislation, etc?

    4. Explain the political history behind this story or tie it into a government document. This is going to require some work on your part to research how this story either plays a part in a line of past stories, or is rooted in local, state, federal, or international laws.

    5. Your thoughts? Do you oppose or support the ideas that made this story? Why? Is there something in this story that makes you want to get involved to support or counter it?

    Sources listed properly

    Print out & Attach your source to the back of your report.