1. See page 57 of Stone, and undertake the exercise that she suggests in the passage that starts “When you confront a political issue…” and ends with “read between the lines and interpret.” Pick a current policy issue, and identify two figures with different positions. “Read between the lines” and infer their answers to Stone’s questions.
2. Write your own version of “The Vitality of Mythical Numbers” about 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. On our Sakai site (under “Resources”), read the case study of Families Against Mandatory Minimums. Since the case’s 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?
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Whichever essay you choose, do research to document your claims. Do not write from the top of your head. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than three pages long. I will not read past the third page.
Whichever essay you choose, do research to document your claims. Do not write from the top of your head. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than three pages long. I will not read past the third page.
- 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.
- Turn in essays via Sakai by the start of class, Monday, September 30. Late essays will drop a gradepoint for one day’s lateness, a full letter grade after that. I will grant no extensions except for illness or emergency.
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