Discussion: Why Study Political Science?

/in /by

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: Chapter 1 ,2
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)

Initial Post Instructions
Identify why students should learn about political science. Use evidence (cite sources) to support your response from assigned readings or online lessons, and at least one outside scholarly source. Describe at least one reason why political science is interesting or relevant to you personally.

Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification. Minimum of 1 scholarly source.

Writing Requirements

  • Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside scholarly source)
  • APA format for in-text citations and list of references

Due Date for Initial Post: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday

Book:

Whitman Cobb, W. N. (2020). Political science today (1st ed.). Washington, DC: Sage, CQ Press.

Policy Making Letter

/in /by

Policy-maker Letter

One of the overarching themes of Political Science 2 is the division of policy-making power among the various branches and levels of government.  Another is the importance of representation and having a government that reflects the will of the people.  This assignment requires you effectively demonstrate core competencies of critical thinking, communication, social responsibility, and personal responsibility within the context of civic engagement in the U.S. political process.

In this assignment, you will

  1. Identify a current political issue that affects you and your community.
  2. Educate yourself about the issue by reading at least three articles from reputable news sources about the issue.
  3. Determine which policy-maker is in the best position to represent your interests with respect to that issue. That could be your representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, your representative in a state legislature, or some member of the executive branch.  The key is that you identify a person who has some policy-making authority with respect to the issue you have chosen and a person who might listen to your position (for example, choosing your own representative to the U.S. House rather than some other representative).
  4. Draft a letter to your legislative or executive-branch policymaker in which you
    1. identify yourself as one of the politician’s constituents;
    2. identify the political issue about which you are concerned;
    3. clearly state a position on that issue (what should the policymaker do or not do); and
    4. provide an explanation for your position that will persuade the policymaker to agree with you.
  5. After you draft your letter and feel comfortable with both the content and format of your letter, submit the letter as the body of an e-mail addressed to your policymaker.

You will turn in

  1. a .doc, .docx, or .pdf version of your letter; and
  2. a .doc, .docx, or .pdf document listing the three articles you read.

For tips on writing a letter to Congress, visit https://www.thoughtco.com/write-effective-letters-to-congress-3322301

Global Issue Discussion 5

/in /by

Global Issues. Week 5 Discussions

 

1. Chapter 2, “Wealth and Poverty,” in your textbook discusses the Millennium Development Goals, which were created to provide developing countries support through the partnership of developed countries. The first goal is to “eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” in the world.

According to the textbook, population is still increasing in the world’s poorest regions. Take a look at  The Millennium Development Goals Report [PDF] . https://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2015_MDG_Report/pdf/MDG%202015%20rev%20(July%201).pdf

 

· The report notes that progress in reducing extreme hunger is uneven across regions of the world. Looking at the graph on page 21 of the report, which regions have the least reduction in extreme hunger? Which regions have the greatest reduction in extreme hunger? What factors contribute to this uneven progress? What are some possible strategies for creating more progress in these regions of the world?

 

 

 

2. Chapter 4, “Food,” in your textbook illustrates that there is enough food produced and available to feed the entire world every day. However, for various reasons, millions still go hungry, making food security—having consistent access to adequate nutritional food—a persistent global social problem in both developing and developed countries.

· Where do most of the world’s hungry live? (Sub-Saharan Africa)

· What are two causes of hunger and two problems that result?

· What are some potential consequences and benefits of using biotechnologies in developing countries? Based on the research currently available, should developing countries pursue the use of biotechnologies? Why or why not?

 

 

3. Chapter 9, “Technology,” in your textbook discusses how technological advancements and changes may affect how we can work to find solutions for the global threats discussed so far. Technological advances can and do affect development in positive and negative ways.

Besides biotechnology, identify one technology that seems to have the greatest potential positive effect on food security. Discuss any potential negative uses of that technology. Do the benefits of these technologies outweigh the potential negative consequences they have on food security? Why or why not?

Changing Notions

/in /by

What do Orsini  et al.’s work add to the earlier works on international regimes.  How have understandings changed or evolved, if at all?

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to at least 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words and include direct questions.

Assigned Readings:

 

International Regimes

Silverburg, Sanford(ed).  International law: contemporary issues and future developments. Part 2 

This reading provides information on international law.

Krasner, Stephen.Structural causes and regime consequences: Regimes as intervening variables

http://apus.summon.serialssolutions.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwZZ1NCwIhEIYlOlRL_yDCewjqfneNIuhYncVVF4ItAqPf34y6EXRV8SAyzjCvz7sgS43a7Mcr_OGyJHUSA6YZHSHhDmFi0bSSTwLLVDBMEqZBisEZzs_GUCoK0c7J6RxQqoihoEZD8e4pVNkUnQvujpof1fE2DcICT29JNAhPAH1D4YlfkXxGrof9ZXdkyWqAGQFJCDMldzxvete3Loew3otOdpD82NoiAE7nvOW6qqwpkHdVN5XrrKubskbeVtGjOcI67jsGdGWHQQl0hpISC8GMrOKCoHpUz8iSUBLbjBItuzZx-gt4UOkyefV3bvkHxI5kqw

This reading introduces the idea of regimes as intervening variables.

Ruggie, John Gerard. 1992. Multilateralism: the anatomy of an institution.  19

http://apus.summon.serialssolutions.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwZV3BCsIwDB3iQQW_QIXdpbIuK-u8iuIH6Ll0XQuDbYrbxb83aasXb4VHcyghpLy8vFWy1jSbPUxew9UkkUn0a5rJERJzKPBdwGd-lyln1CTM_ShGxghffEspL3i1TA5ei9ppkuR27dgfU4yf6gF_pf07fTg8pm2k1lsiGu-X8-10ZdFNgJkc2xqmrQRj67KooRZkxGSFlOBMngFY6zT2OS43lkx0BBjdmCYvSycqyKTVlSFZzybE_dZs1XSd8swtkOfWLqBU2BVlx_TSBmFBzhbEa28D7qce1TPsklB4mywcEd4H-LfgQcVkGtXfu8EH15hjNw

This article discusses regimes and multilateralism

Orsini, Amandine, Jean-Frédéric Morin, and Oran Young. Regime Complexes: A buzz, a boom, or a boost for global governance?. 9

This article introduces the idea of regime complexes.

Video: The Justice Cascade