USII – Research Project 2014

What is the U.S. Government’s role in our lives and around the world?

You will answer this question by reviewing and researching a generalized theme over the past 30+ years. Within your general topic, you will then be focusing your research on specific cases that have been provided for you. You may use encyclopedia-type credible websites to get a general overview of the historical issues, but you must use credible news articles/sources for your research and examples to answer the questions on your worksheet. Your answers must be in paragraph form with in-text citations for each. Be prepared to discuss your topics in a graded discussion in class. All research, works cited page and completed worksheet must be printed and submitted in a folder on the date it is due. You are responsible for all printing; this is not to be done in class or in the media center.

  1. Supreme Court Cases: Texas v. Johnson (Flag Burning), California v. Bakke (Affirmative Action), Casey v. Planned Parenthood(Abortion Rights)
  2. Terrorism: GuantanamoBay (prison), USA PATRIOT Act, Munich Olympics 1972
  3. Social Issues: Gay Rights, Legalized Marijuana, Right to Die (Kevorkian)
  4. Technology: Internet Censorship/Net Neutrality, Illegal downloads (Napster/BitTorrent), Government data requests (Facebook, Google, Apple)
  5. Gun Control: Brady Bill, NRA, School Shootings (Columbine, Sandy Hook)
  6. Pre-9/11 (al-Qaeda attacks): USS Cole, US Embassies: Kenya/Tanzania, WTC 1993
  7. Post-9/11 Invasions: AfghanistanWar, IraqWar, Pakistan (killing Bin Laden)
  8. US Intervention (A):Ukraine (Russia and Putin), Libya, Syria
  9. US Intervention (B):Persian Gulf War, Bosnia (War/Genocide), Somalia (Black Hawk Down)
  10. Domestic Terrorism: Unabomber, OK City Bombing, BostonMarathon
  11. Disasters/Tragedy: Katrina/FEMA, Hurricane Sandy, Waco
  12. Nuclear Power/Weapons: Disasters (3 Mile Island & Chernobyl), Iran (weapons), U.S./France(energy)
  13. Sports: Steroids, Unions/Salaries for college athletes, Racism
  14. Environment: EPA/Earth Day, Oil Spills (BP, Exxon Valdez), Global Warming
  15. Politics: Election 2000, Clinton Impeachment, Contract with America/Tea Party
  16. Activism: Abbie Hoffman, Occupy Wall Street, Arab Spring/Facebook Revolution
  17. Space: Apollo 11, Apollo 13, Challenger Disaster, Mars Rovers

You will receive a grade on the following:

Due May 19th and 20th – Background information – 1st column of Part 1; Folder (10 points)

Due May 23rd and 27th – Copies of articles/sources. At least 1 per sub topic – highlighted and annotated

  • Works Cited page in MLA format (15 points)

Due May 28th and 29th – 2nd and 3rd columns of Part 1 (20 points)

Due June 3rd and 4th– Rough draft analysis paragraph – with in-text citations, MLA format (10 points)

Due June 10th and 11th – Fold with all requirements (5 points), analysis paragraph (20 points), and Graded Discussion (20 points)

Research Worksheet

Part 1

You are to complete the following three background worksheets, providing a bulleted list of background information, reaction from Americans and the response of the government for each of your topics. Each bullet point needs in-text citations from credible sources.

Sub-Topic #1: ______

Background Information / Reaction of Americans / Government Response

Sub-Topic #2: ______

Background Information / Reaction of Americans / Government Response

Sub-Topic #3: ______

Background Information / Reaction of Americans / Government Response

Part 2

You will provide a written response in paragraph form, at least one page including in-text citations, to the following questions:

1. To what extent should the government get involved in these areas?

2. To what extent was the government’s action or lack of action justified?