Assignment: GOVERNMENT SEMESTER PROJECT/PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

Overview:

The El Paso Community College, as a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), requires that this course contain a project-based grade component known as the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The College has adopted "Learning about the community as a community" as its QEP theme. This project/research paper will meet the QEP requirement by requiring you to become engaged in the community through policy research, political engagement and/or service learning. Specifically, you may choose from any of the following three options:

(1) Select a policy problem that is relevant to the community and conduct community-based research (ie. a survey, interviews, etc.) in order to propose a solution.

All Projects Should Be Completed Be Two Parts:

Part 1-Project Proposal - A one-page description of your semester project which should follow guidelines below.

Guidelines For Project Proposals

All project proposals should be double spaced, using appropriate grammar, punctuation, and document formatting and should demonstrate a well-organized plan for conducting the research throughout the semester. Required components should include the following:

(1) Topic - What will your project be about? This should be in the form of a research question.

(2) Thesis - An appropriate thesis with the background of the topic, initial hypothesis as to predicted research results, and a stated objective as to the purpose of the research project and its proposed outcomes.

(3) Project Design - Should specifically describe how the research will be conducted and organized, describing components of the research, methods used to collect data and/or investigate the problem, and a brief description of the evaluation and recommendations which will be included in the project.

(4) Product - A discussion of the final project and its components. What will your final product be? What components will be included? How will the results be discussed and/or distributed?

I. An annotated bibliography in either MLA or APA format which describes pertinent research on your project. This should include 10-15 research sources, which may include pertinent newspaper/magazine articles, appropriate Internet research (using Library databases and NOT just Google, Yahoo, Cha Cha, ask.com, etc.) and/or a list of community resources/agencies related to your project. Since this is an ANNOTATED bibliography, each resource should be followed by a one-paragraph description/summary (3-5 sentences). If you need additional help on how to do an annotated bibliography.

You can get more information about specific formats at:

Note: For our purposes, the annotated bibliography should be submitted with the final paperbut should be prepared well in advance of the final due date, as this document will assist you in planning and composing your final project paper.

II. A final paper of approximately five-pages in length (three pages if reporting on community engagement or service-learning). Your paper should include the following:

a. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - A one-paragraph description of your project / community engagement activity.

b. INTRODUCTION/THESIS - If a social policy paper, explain the social problem, if an agency or community engagement, tell me where you volunteered and why you chose this agency.

c. BACKGROUND LITERATURE/INFORMATION - If a social policy paper, this should include current research regarding your problem from reliable sources. If this is a community engagement / volunteer paper, a description and appropriate background information on the agency should be discussed here.

d. RESEARCH METHODS/PROCEDURES - Should include a discussion of specific research (ie. interviews, surveys, etc.) that you conducted if this is a policy paper. If this is a volunteer/community engagement paper, this should include a complete description of all activities conducted during your contact period with this agency.

e. RESEARCH FINDINGS - Should include a discussion of important information you discovered during your research. What have you learned?

f. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC POLICY - This should contain recommendations, suggestions, etc. for public policy. What can we do to correct a social problem if this is a policy paper? How does this agency benefit the community? If this is a community engagement project.

A SAMPLE PROJECT PROPOSAL

Topic: Border Security and "The Fence" - Will it secure our borders?

Thesis:

In October 2006, President George W. Bush signed a measure calling for the construction of over 700 miles of physical and electronic fencing along the southern border between the United States and Mexico. This legislation has had a number of consequences affecting international relations, migration patterns (of both humans and animals), environmental impact, and interstate relationships. This paper will discuss the economic, geographic, and political factors leading to the construction of the fence, as well as examining its consequences (both intended and unintended) for those who live along both sides of the border with particular emphasis on the state of Texas, including impact on counties and local governments. In addition, specific policy recommendations will be made which are intended to improve security along the United States - Mexico border while having a more positive effect on trade and international relations.

Project Design:

This research project will be comprised of the following components:

(1) A discussion of border security and events leading to the construction of the fence.
(2) A discussion of the current political environment (both domestic and international) along the border.
(3) A detailed examination of the legislation signed by President Bush
(4) A critical analysis of the legislation's impact (both positive and negative)
(5) Suggestions for policy changes to enhance the effectiveness of border security while maintaining positive relations between the United

States and Mexico both politically and economically.

Methods:

In order to effectively investigate the impact of border fence legislation, an intensive literature review will be conducted using government documents, peer-reviewed journal research, and reliable media sources (in print, video, and audio formats). In addition, a survey-based investigation of opinions and attitudes of those residents along the border most affected by this legislation will be conducted along with interviews of policy makers directly involved in the construction and/or implementation of this legislation (as available within the timeframe of this project).

Product:

This project will be compiled into a written report of approximately 5 pages in length with annotated bibliographical references.

Final Project Part 2- FINAL POLICY PAPER GUIDELINES

Format: Should be double spaced, using appropriate format, spelling, punctuation, etc. and internal citations in MLA or APA format. The library has online resources to assist you in understanding MLA or APA format for citations.

Length: Approximataely 5 pages double spaced with one-inch margins.

Content Requirements: Your paper should include the following:

(1) A brief "Executive Summary" which outlines your central thesis and supporting arguments. Generally this is around a half-page long.

(2) A clearly written introductory paragraph with a well-developed thesis.

(3) Background and literature which outlines the social problem you are investigating and clearly shows why this problem requires a legislative or policy-based solution.

(4) A description of your research methods and procedures, including any literature research, data analysis, and/or surveys you conducted. Your methods section should outline how your investigation was conducted and controlled (particularly if it is research based).

(5) A discussion of your research findings and their implications for policy/decision makers.

(6) A discussion of your recommendations for legislation or policy. Since this is the purpose of the paper, you should support all recommendations with evidence and should consider benefits, costs, and consequences/implications of your recommendations.

For instance, if you recommended that a new bridge be built between two communities, you would spend the bulk of your paper supporting the need for this bridge using literature, research, etc. Your recommendation to build a bridge should have clear benefits but will also come with costs to the taxpayer and possible implications on others in the community. The monetary cost is only a small part of your consideration. You should also consider unintended consequences and possible implications in your discussion.

Websites and other resources you might want to visit in preparing your paper (regardless of the type of paper you choose to prepare) include:

The El Paso Community College Library online web resources,

El Paso Community College Library online report writing guidelines.

Purdue University Online Writing Lab (Variety of resources on writing and formatting a research paper).

The Boston University Dept. of International Relations Website.