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PSC101: American National
Government
Unit 8 Assignment: American National Government Reflective Final Paper
Due Date: Thursday 11:59 pm of Unit 8
Total Points: 75
Overview:
You will write a reflective essay to assess the information learned throughout the term.
The purpose is for you to make sense of the course and course materials in the context
of the real world and our role in the political process. The main audience for the paper is
yourself, so you will be expected to explore your views, be open to new information,
analyze course resources, and demonstrate a full understanding of the topics covered.
Instructions
You will explain the concepts of the American National Government, including:
Foundations of government (ie: federalism, separation of powers, civil liberties, and civil
rights)
o Culture of the political system (ie: public opinion, political socialization, political
participation, elections, political parties, the media, and interest groups)
o Institutions of government (ie: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches,
the bureaucracy, policymaking process)
The paper should include the following four parts:
o Part 1: Exploration
o Discuss the preconceptions you brought to the class about the American
government and the political process. Explain how they have been
challenged or have been changed by having taken this course.
o Part 2: Explanation
o Explain what government and politics are. Address what they “do”, who
and what is involved in the process, what purpose governments serve,
etc.
o Part 3: Analysis
o Based on your own experiences and what was discussed in class, are
there things in the American government that you think can be improved
upon or changed? In other words, what works and what does not?
o Part 4: Synthesis
o Based on what you discussed in Part 3, explain any recommendations for
improvement or change that you would make. In doing so, make sure you
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reevaluate your preconceptions. How have they changed because of this
course? How might these changes affect how you view government and
politics in the future?
Requirements:
• At least two pages double space.
• Follow standard APA guidelines (proper margins, double-spaced, 12-point Times
New Roman, and writing is clear and professional).
Be sure to read the criteria below, by which your paper/project will be
evaluated, before you write, and again after you write.
Evaluation Rubric for Unit 8 Assignment
CRITERIA Proficient Needs
Improvement
Deficient
(12-15 Points) (9-11 Points) (0-8 Points)
Part I Exploration
thoroughly
addressed with
supportive detail.
Exploration
mostly
addressed
with some
supportive
detail.
Exploration is
missing or
inadequate.
(12-15 Points) (9-11 Points) (0-8 Points)
Part 2 Explanation
thoroughly
addressed with
supportive detail.
Explanation
mostly
addressed
with some
supportive
detail.
Explanation is
missing or
inadequate.
(12-15 Points) (9-11 Points) (0-8 Points)
Part 3 Analysis
thoroughly
addressed with
supportive detail.
Analysis
mostly
addressed
with some
supportive
detail.
Explanation is
missing or
inadequate.
(12-15 Points) (9-11 Points) (0-8 Points)
Part 4 Synthesis
thoroughly
addressed with
supportive
details.
Synthesis
mostly
addressed
with some
supportive
detail.
Synethesis is
missing or
inadequate.
(8-10 points) (6-7 points) (0-5 points)
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Paper
Length
At least two
pages
n/a Less than 2
pages
(5 points) (4 points) (0-3 points)
Clear and
Professional
Writing and
APA Format
Writing and
format are clear,
professional,
APA compliant,
and error-free
Few errors
that do not
impede
professional
presentation
Significant
errors that
impede
professional
presentation
