A

Political Systems

Try these steps:

 Visit: www.yahoo.com

Type in: Politics

Then type in:  Political Theory - Then type in one of the assigned topics, i.e. Marxism.

                   or-  

                  www.encyclopedia.com

                   or-

              www.google.com

Use an online encyclopedia or  search engine, such as "Google.com" or "Yahoo.com" to gather a few facts about one of these alternative political systems: Marxism, Communism, Fascism, or Leninism. You may photocopy, print from printer, or handwrite this assignment. You should gather at least one half page of facts. Bring to class on the assigned date or follow your professor's instructions.  (Note:  If you are taking this course online, you will use the information to answer the assigned questions.)

You may also use conventional encyclopedias or books to do this assignment.

B

Congressional Profile

http://clerk.house.gov/members/congProfile.php

C

Legislative Realities

www.yourcongress.com

 Click on “How a Bill Really Becomes a Law.”  Look over the steps of how a law is created and then answer the following in writing:

1. What does “dropping” a bill mean?
2. If you are a Congressperson trying to pass a key bill, to whom must you “suck up?”
3. What two steps occur during the committee action?  What do these steps involve?
4. Go back to this site’s home page. What else did you find interesting?

D

U.S. Supreme Court

http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/justices/fullcourt.html

alternate site:

www.supremecourtus.gov

On the form that will be provided for you, or via email in your own format, answer the following for each of the nine supreme court justices: 1)Their name, 2) what year they were appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, 3) which president appointed them, 4) how many years they have served on the Supreme Court, and 5) the name of a court case for which they wrote a decision.

E

Party Platforms

www.rnc.org

or

www.democrats.org

or

www.americanreform.org

Choose a web site (left) from one of the following political parties, Republicans, Democrats, and American Reform Party. Each site is different. For whichever party you choose, read and summarize the main principles found in the party’s platform. You should write approximately one double-spaced page. You must type or email your answer. 

For www.rnc.org/  Click About Our Party, then click the word "more" under 2000 Platform, then click each section header to read each section.  

For www.democrats.org/  Click About the DNC, then click Democratic Party Platform, then choose and click your access.  (Adobe Reader typically works well.)

For www.americanreform.org/  Click Platform, then click American Reform Party Platform.

F

Lobbyist Facts

www.alldc.org

Click on Resources.  Explore this page and the bullets to the left on the “alldc” web page.  Answer the following questions in writing:

1. What is lobbying?  What is the one-sentence definition for lobbying found at this web site?
2. What formal training is required to become a Washington D.C. lobbyist?
3. What formal training is recommended?
4. If you wished to hire a lobbyist, what resources are available?

G

U.S. State Department

www.state.gov/

or

www.foreignservicecareers.gov/

Familiarize yourself with the role of the U.S. State Department.  Write three multiple-choice questions and answers regarding basic knowledge about this department.

Write a short paragraph or two answering the following questions:

1. What do foreign service officers do?

2. What do you think are the qualifications to be hired as a foreign service officer?

3. Would you like one of these jobs?  Why or why not?