Research Paper Assignment

Constitutional Issues and the Scope and Character of U.S. Government

In the Final Research Paper, you will use your critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate a current events topic that has constitutional and political implications.

Select one topic from the following list of three constitutional issues. The topic you select should also be used as the topic for your Week Two and Three written assignments:

• Religious freedom (this one is mine)
• Free speech
• Privacy rights

The thesis of the paper will be a statement identifying how the concepts of federalism, civil liberties, and civil rights are implicated in and affected by this topic.

Utilize the feedback from your Week Two and Three Assignments to create a more thorough outline to form your Final Research Paper. The paper must include five main sections:

• Introductory paragraph that provides a brief background regarding the topic and introduces the main thesis.
• In-depth discussion of the implications for federalism related to the topic.

o Explain how and why federalism has a positive and negative impact on the selected topic.

- Provide one real-world positive example.
- Provide one real-world negative example.
- Utilize the Constitution, established case law, and scholarly sources to support your explanation.

• In-depth discussion of the implications for civil rights related to the topic.

o Explain how and why civil rights are positively and negatively affected by the selected topic.

- Provide one real-world positive example.
- Provide one real-world negative example.
- Utilize the Constitution, established case law, and scholarly sources to support your explanation.
- In-depth discussion of the implications for civil liberties related to the topic.

o Explain how and why civil liberties are positively and negatively affected by the selected topic.

- Provide one real-world positive example.
- Provide one real-world negative example.
- Utilize the Constitution, established case law, and scholarly sources to support your explanation.
- Concluding paragraph that summarizes the main findings and restates the thesis.

The paper must be 10-12 pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style. You must use at least six scholarly resources (at least five of which can be found in the Ashford University Library) other than the textbook to support your claims. Cite your sources within the text of your paper and on the reference page. For information regarding APA, including samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center.

The Final Research Paper:

• Must be 10-12 double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

• Must include a title page with the following:

o Title of paper
o Student's name
o Course name and number
o Instructor's name
o Date submitted

• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
• Must use at least six scholarly resources, including a minimum of five from the Ashford University Library.
• Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.