PSC1 Research Assignment Spring 2018B: The USA Immigration Controversy

Research Paper Assignment Political Science 1- American Politics(Sections 2 and 3)
Hofstra University, Spring, 2018Professor Himelfarb
ASSIGNMENT
Now a year in office President Donald Trump confronts extraordinary challenges both domestic and abroad. These include income inequality, deteriorating infrastructure, a large federal budget deficit and debt, repeal and replacement of Obamacare, immigration reform, race relations, climate change, foreign trade, gun control; the tradeoff between privacy and national security, religious liberty and civil rights; terrorism, refugees, instability in the Middle East (including Iraq and Syria), the war in Afghanistan, a newly aggressive Russia, and nuclear weapons development by Iran and North Korea. There are also ongoing investigations involving Russian influence in the 2016 election and links to Trump.
During the 2016 campaign Trump proposed to “Make America Great Again” by fundamentally changing the way Washington works as well as its policies.   
Your task is to choose one of the political issues discussed above (or some other issue pertinent to current American politics) and write a 1,500-2,000 word (6-8 page) paper that:  
1. Explains the main controversies surrounding that issue.2. Discusses why the issue has appeared or remains on the policy agenda.3. Discusses what Trump promised to do about the issue before and during the 2016 campaign. Did the issue play a prominent role in the campaign? Did it help Trump win the election? Be sure to explain.4. Discusses what is currently happening regarding the issue as well as what is likely to happen. Specifically, will Trump keep his promise or is it likely to be modified, abandoned, or postponed? Be sure to explain why. Your discussion should make reference to how changing circumstances, congressional support or opposition, public opinion and other factors may influence the policy outcome.
RESEARCH
  To complete this assignment you will need to consult relevant stories from the media (e.g., The New York Times and Real Clear Politics). You should also consult relevant books, periodicals, journals and materials from the Internet. In conducting research it is important not to rely on one source. For this assignment, you are required to cite from at least seven different ones.  The Internet contains a vast array of resources, many of which may be useful in your research. Keep in mind though that you need to evaluate the material you find on the Internet just as carefully as you would printed material. For example, who is publishing the website that you are using: an interest group, political party, newspaper, business, or individual? The biases of the author affect the credibility of the material and need to be considered carefully in deciding whether the source is adequate for your research. Also be sure to collect full bibliographical information for any source from the Internet. Merely citing a website is inadequate!
FORMAT/WRITING
The paper must be typed and double-spaced. Use a 12-point font, one inch margins,and page numbers.  The paper should have a title page with a thoughtful, creative title.
Be sure to use citations (footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical references) wheneveryou quote or paraphrase from a source
Be sure to include a complete bibliography at the end of the paper. Each citation should listthe author, title, publisher, and copyright date (also journal number for periodicals).Sources from the Internet should include as much information as possible- at leastauthor, title, and publisher of the website- along with the Internet address and the dateyou accessed the source in parenthesis.
Remember that the best writing is clear and direct. Do not waste space with long-windedphrases, cliches, and convoluted sentences. Say precisely what you mean. Avoid slang andthe passive voice.
Double-check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
CRITERIA FOR JUDGMENT
In grading your paper, I will consider the following:
Is the paper organized well? Is there an introduction and thesis statement? Does the body of the paper cover the points raised in the introduction? Is there a conclusion?
How persuasive is the analysis? Does it address the main points of the subject? Is materialpresented clearly and fairly? Is there enough detail to understand the arguments? Is theanalysis thoughtful and supported by evidence?
Is information cited fully? In other words, are quotations attributed to their sources? Isparaphrased material cited appropriately? Is the bibliography formatted properly andconsistently? 
Does the paper meet the stylistic requirements for a college paper? Is it typed? Has it beenchecked for spelling, punctuation, and grammar?
ETHICS
Whatever you submit should be in your own words. Direct copying of a text, or evencopying the basic structure of the text while changing a few words here and there,constitutes plagiarism. Be sure to cite all sources that you use, not just for direct quotationsbut also for ideas, facts, etc. Any student who plagiarizes will automatically receive afailing grade for the course and will be reported to the Office of the Provost for furtherdisciplinary action.
DEADLINE
The paper is due at the beginning of class on Thursday, March 8th, 2018. You should alsosave a copy of your paper as well as copies of all sources (newspaper articles, Internet sources,etc.) cited in the paper. Late papers will be penalized one-half letter grade for every day (including weekend days) they are received past this date.
Papers submitted after Thursday, March 15th, 2018 will not be accepted.
Any student who fails to hand in a paper will receive a failing grade for the course.