Spring 2019 Assessment

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Spring 2019 Assessment Prompt

 

Robert Putnam, in his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, uses the example of the decline of bowling leagues across the country to suggest the passing of community and associations in the United States. Traditionally these associations provided the “social capital”* upon which society was built.

Has social media exacerbated this loss of community and neighborhood associations or has it enhanced community building? Many argue that electronic communication lacks the tactile and personal nature of face to face contact necessary for true communities. Others respond that online communication permits a much broader understanding of community, with connection across a heretofore impossible expanse of culture and geography.

Using real-world examples, please compose a two-page essay discussing the impact of the new world of digital communication on community-building in America.

Your essay should use MLA formatting and demonstrate college-level grammar, spelling and vocabulary.

*Social capital: A network of personal relationships that provide social glue.

 

The assignment is due by April 26, 2019.

The assignment is worth 3 extra points.

American Government Disscusion Question

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In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton argued that the judiciary was the least dangerous branch of government. Many people would argue that Hamilton was incorrect and that today’s courts wield an enormous amount of power. However, Hamilton believed the courts were the least dangerous branch because they had the power of neither the purse nor the sword. The courts’ power increased with John Marshall’s establishment of judicial review.

All presidents are concerned with the legacy they leave once out of office and major influence on this legacy is the Supreme Court justices they appoint. For this reason, politics plays an immense role the nomination process. Consider the nomination of Merrick Garland by Barack Obama in 2016 to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia (an icon of conservative ideology). However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared any appointment by the sitting president to be null and void. He said the next Supreme Court justice should be chosen by the next president — to be elected later that year. According to McConnell, “the American people should have a say in the court’s direction. It is a president’s constitutional right to nominate a Supreme Court justice, and it is the Senate’s constitutional right to act as a check on the president and withhold its consent.” Supreme Court picks have often been controversial but there was no precedence to ignore the nominee entirely. Scalia’s seat would later be filled by Neil Gorsuch (nominated by President Donald Trump).

Based on this information (and your own outside research), analyze the process by which U.S. judges are nominated and confirmed. Does this seem like a fair process? What extent does it have on the political lean of the Court, and therefore, on United States law (specifically civil rights and civil liberties)? Cite specific examples. Consider the concepts of judicial activism and judicial restraint in your response.

Your initial discussion postings (250-300 words) should demonstrate an understanding and analysis of the assigned readings and video. It may be helpful to reference the assigned material in your response demonstrating connections between your thoughts and the course resources. In addition, you will also need to post two substantial responses (about 150-200words) to at least two of your classmates’ posts.

Global Issues (My Country Is Madagascar)

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Research on your assigned country should consist of five to seven pages (in a WORD document), not including the title, abstract (executive summary) and reference pages.  The entire paper should be in APA format.  The websites below will assist with understanding the APA citation format.

http://www.easybib.com/guides/students/writing-guide/iv-write/a-formatting/apa-paper-formatting/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

A minimum of five sources should be used/referenced, with one of the five, a hardback book.  Your paper should include an introduction, discussion and conclusion. Consult the writing guide posted on D2L to assist with the written portion of this assignment.

Your analysis should include:

1.  Overviewof the state

a.  Official name

b.  Population of incorporated area (demographics), religion, ethnic groups, languages

c.  Location and geography

d.  Educational institutions (primary, secondary and postsecondary)

e. Major cities

f.  Brief history

g.  Structure of government and its leaders

h.  Domestic Issues and Foreign Affairs (Policies)

i. Resources, 2015 GDP, economy, major exports, major imports, major industries

j. IGO memberships

k. NGO/nonstate actors impacting the state

l. Military strength

m. Advantages/Disadvantages (Strengths and Weaknesses)

n. Human Rights issues

o. Health and environmental issues

2. What is the global issue most impacting the country? Explain and provide what could be solutions.

3. The most important facts about the country.

4. What is the country’s position in the international system?

5. Your subjective opinion of the country.

Emergency Plan

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nderstanding the intricacies and challenges of emergency planning is not possible without actually undertaking the preparation of an emergency plan. During this assignment, students will develop a comprehensive plan for a town or city of their choice using the FEMA  Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Develop your plan using:

· Real attributes, such as critical infrastructure within the town or city when developing the plan.

· Various special needs populations (i.e., hospitals, schools, retirement facilities, populations requiring special handling.)

· Natural hazards (i.e., hurricane, tornado, flooding, or wild fire) when developing the plan.

The plan for your jurisdiction will contain a basic plan and a minimum of five annexes to include:

· Functional annexes

· Supporting annexes

· Hazard/threat/incident specific annexes

You must use at least eight sources in addition to the course textbook when developing your research and analysis. Some of these are:

· Continuity of Government & Continuity of Operations. (2003). Emergency planning guidance for a consolidated approach  [PDF file].

· U. S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.).  State and local government continuity of operations planning: Training, tests, and exercises  [PDF file].

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

· Must be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to the FEMA  Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

· Must include a title page, in APA format, with the following:

· Title of paper

· Student’s name

· Course name and number

· Instructor’s name

· Date submitted

· Must begin with a basic plan that lays out the authorities and responsibilities for the plan. It must include each element as identified in Chapter 3 of the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101.

· Must contain a minimum of five annexes as described in Chapter 3 of the Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101. Plans must include a minimum of one functional annex, (i.e. transportation, communications, emergency operations center), one supporting annex (i.e., continuity of operations, warning, or protection in place, mutual aid), and one hazard, threat, or incident – specific annex (i.e., tornado, hurricane, or fire). Other annexes may include procedures for protection in place or evacuation.