Requirements
1. After learning about Reflective Democracy across the United States it is time to learn about how it affects you. Begin by examining yourself and your surrounding community.
How would you describe your cultural background? How would you describe the cultural background of your Senator from the Texas Senate? How would you describe the cultural background of the district that he or she represents (and that you are a part of)? Compare and contrast the culture of the district to the culture of your Texas Senator.
Compare and contrast the culture of your Texas Senator and your culture. Compare and contrast your culture with the culture of the district that you live. Where do you see the greatest differences between cultures?
What are some advantages and disadvantages of these cultural differences? How would you work to bridge the divide between cultures?
2. Find a policy issue that your Texas Senator has taken a stand on. Explain that issue in detail. Once you have explained the issue, provide information on where your Texas Senator stands on the issue. Where do you stand on the issue? What do you believe should be done? What might be another alternative solution? Thinking about your ideas on the issue who might object to your viewpoint and what might their objections be? Once you've laid out their objections, respond to them, and explain, with logic, why your perspective is correct and your opponents' objections are mistaken.
3. Now that you have officially staked out a policy position, you need to think about how to get it put into action. Who in the government, and who in your community, do you believe should be involved? What specific actions should you (and those in the community) take? Why is it important to get your community involved and what will be the benefits of activating people to the cause?
4. Let's assume that you are successful in your efforts, and you achieve your policy goal. What do you believe will be the consequences of putting this policy into practice? How far reaching do you think the consequences will be for your community? Your state? Your country? What do you think will be the effects over the short term? Over the long term? Be sure to mention both positive and negative consequences that might result?
Communication Requirements
While is it important to have all the required information listed in the "Content Requirements," it also crucial to communicate clearly. The following aspects of your communication skills will also be graded.
A. Make sure you communicate clearly with the reader. Assume that the reader knows nothing about the subject.
B. This is a paper about the government. Government has its own vocabulary. Make sure that the terminology that you use is correct in the context of your paper. If you're not sure about the meaning of government related terms, your textbook can be a good guide.
C. Make sure that you follow the structure and order of the paper as listed in this assignment.
D. Many parts of your paper require information from outside sources (meaning - "not you"). Make sure that you give proper credit to where you obtained the information. An example for how to do this will be found later in these directions
E. Use proper grammar. Follow standard rules for writing.
Paper Structure
The paper should be typed with 12-point font, double-spaced and should have one-inch margins on all sides of every page. No title page is required, but list your name and the title on the first page. Any other information you give in a heading will not count toward the length of the paper. All parts of the paper should be stapled together at the top left corner.