Pick one of the following:
1. Read the case study of Families Against Mandatory Minimums. (I shall give it to you. For copyright reasons, I cannot put it on the blog.) Since its publication in 2009, Republicans have taken control of the House and made major gains in state legislatures. You may take one of two approaches:
a. Should FAMM change its strategy and tactics? If so, what should it do differently? If not, why will its approach work in the new setting? In your answer, consider how the organization frames the issue and presents data.
b. Identify an interest group or office holder who supports mandatory minimums.
Write a memo telling this group or person how to stop or roll back FAMM, either in Congress or a state legislature. How would you use data to re-frame the issue?
2. Write your own version of “The Vitality of Mythical Numbers” in regard to a current issue. That is, identify a dubious statistic that features prominently in policy debate, carefully explain why it is problematic, and spell out how it has distorted deliberations over the issue. (If you can publish a version of this essay in a newspaper, magazine or edited website, you will get an A for the assignment. Campus publications and personal blogs do not count.)
3. Identify a “best practice” from another state or community. Explain whether and how it would work in your own. (“Nudges” may be good examples.)
Whichever essay you choose, do research to document your claims. Do not write from the top of your head. And whatever your position, seriously consider obstacles and counter-arguments.
- Essays should be typed, stapled, double-spaced, and no more than four pages long. I will not read past the fourth page.
- Put your name on a cover sheet. Do not identify yourself on the text pages.
- Cite your sources with endnotes, which should be in a standard style (e.g., Turabian or Chicago Manual of Style). Endnote pages do not count against the page limit.
- Watch your spelling, grammar, diction, and punctuation. Errors will count against you.
- Return essays by the start of class, Wednesday, September 28. Late essays will drop a letter grade. I will grant no extensions except for illness or emergency.
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