First Essay Assignment

Below is your first assignment. Before writing it, make sure that you read Strunk and White. Also see my writing advice at http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/pages/faculty/JPitney/writing.htm, which in turn contains links to model papers.


Pick one of the following:

• Find a recent (since October 2011) article pointing to a problem that Publius anticipated. (You may search newspapers at news.google.com.  Explain how The Federalist sheds light on the story. In this instance, is the political system working as the Founders hoped?
• Pick a crime issue (e.g. drug possession). Explain how federalism either fosters or hinders progress on this issue.  That is, how does the division of power between the states and federal government create or solve problems (or both)?
• See the box on p. 64 of the textbook. Would you favor or oppose a new constitutional convention? Explain.
• See the box on pp. 94-95 of the textbook. Pick one state government (information here) and explain what major action it has recently taken on illegal immigration.  What should it do?
• See the box on pp. 128-129 of the textbook. Do you believe that the government should encourage or discourage dual citizenship? Explain.

Whichever essay you choose, do research to document your claims. Do not write from the top of your head.

You may find links to many relevant stories at  www.bessettepitney.net)

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, February 15. Late essays will drop a gradepoint for one day's lateness, a letter grade after that.  I will grant no extensions except for illness or emergency.