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Issues Assignments
Scenario:
Issues are problems that have many different components. They require examination by stakeholders who have different expertise. Issues usually have philosophical components as well as specific problems with measurable "facts."
Think tanks are groups that study problems from different angles and make recommendations that have potential to reduce the impacts of these problems. In many cases, think tanks are grounded in a specific philosophy, i.e., liberal, conservative, "children first," "labor equality," "minimal taxation," etc. In most cases, think tanks access information, organize it, analyze it, and interpret it. Then they provide strategies to reach outcomes they find desirable. Different think tanks can access the same information and reach different conclusions, in part because their desired outcomes may be different.
In this assignment, you will be a member of a think tank that develops positions on two (2) class-determined issues. To develop your position you will access, evaluate, organize, and analyze information. You will demonstrate your ability to accomplish these tasks by completing worksheets that include data-based questions, thought-provoking essay questions, and a data-supported group position (strategy). Content, presentation, and teamwork will all be considered in the evaluation of this project. The instructor will evaluate the content and presentation of the group submission. Teamwork will be evaluated by peers. It is the group's responsibility to set a time frame for meeting the goals of this assignment.
Goals:
- To answer the ten (10) data-focused worksheet questions with accurate, current, referenced information.
- Class presentations for the seventh week will focus on accessing and using information efficiently and effectively.
- Issue 1 schedule:
- Week 8 - Groups make work assignments, develop their peer evaluation criteria, and complete initial data searches. Initial data searches are due to instructor for comment via WebCT e-mail on the following Monday by 10:00 AM (Subject line: Issue 1 Data).
- Week 9 - Think tanks discuss essay questions on their bulletin boards and submit draft answers to the instructor for comment by Thursday 10:00 AM (Subject line: Issue 1 Discussion).
- Week 10 - Complete the issues worksheet
- Groups revise data searches and discussion responses, if needed.
- Groups develop and write their position papers.
- Completed worksheets (data, discussion, and position paper responses) are due to instructor WebCT email on Monday of week 11 by 10:00 AM (Subject line: Issue 1 Complete
- Issue 2 schedule:
- Week 11 - Groups make work assignments and complete initial data searches. Initial data searches are due to instructor for comment via WebCT e-mail on the following Monday by 10:00 AM (Subject line: Issue 2 Data).
- Week 12 - Think tanks discuss essay questions on their bulletin boards and submit draft answers to the instructor for comment by Thursday 10:00 AM (Subject line: Issue 2 Discussion).
- Week 13 - Complete the issues worksheet
- Groups revise data searches and discussion responses, if needed.
- Groups develop and write their position papers.
- Completed worksheets (data, discussion, and position paper responses) are due to instructor WebCT email on Monday of week 14 by 10:00 AM (Subject line: Issue 2 Complete).
- Note the following general guidelines
- Files must be in one of the following formats: .doc, .pdf, .htm, or .rtf
- One file is submitted for the group. The instructors will use the file in the message with the designated subject line. Use a different subject line for intermediate versions.
- The assignment will be evaluated using the "Rubric for Grading Issues Assignments" with category weighting described in the "Rating Form for Issues Assignments."
Rubric for Grading Issues Assignments
Data-focused questions
| |
Levels of Achievement |
| Excellent (A) 10 points |
Good (B) 8.5 points |
Fair (C) 7 points |
Needs Improvement (D, F) 0-6 points |
| Data-focused questions |
All questions are answered. Answers are authoritative, current,
and referenced appropriately. |
All questions are answered. Answers for all except one question
are authoritative, current, and referenced appropriately. |
All questions are answered. Answers for all except 2-3 questions
are authoritative, current, and referenced appropriately. |
Some questions are not answered. Many answers (more than 3)
are not authoritative, current, or referenced appropriately. |
Essays
| |
Levels of Achievement |
| Excellent (A) 10 points |
Good (B) 8.5 points |
Fair (C) 7 points |
Needs Improvement (D, F) 0-6 points |
| Content |
Answers to both essay questions are data-based. Data sources
are authoritative and current. Data are used in appropriate context. |
Answers to both essay questions are primarily data-based. Data
are generally authoritative and current, although some data sources
are not the most current available. Data are used in appropriate
context. |
The answer to one essay question is data-based, but the second
question is not data-supported. Data are generally authoritative
and current, although some data sources are not the most current
available. |
Answers to the questions are not data-based or data sources
are not authoritative or current. Data may not be used in appropriate
context. |
| Presentation |
The essays are complete and well organized. The work has been
thoroughly spell-checked and proofread. Words are chosen for
their precise meaning. For the most part, sentences flow together
to express the intended meaning. |
The essays have all of the major components, but some parts
are incomplete. The organization is generally good, but some
parts seem out of place. There are a few spelling and grammatical
errors. With a few exceptions, words are chosen for their precise
meaning and sentences flow together to express the intended meaning. |
The essays have most of the components, but one component is
missing. The organization is unclear. There is more than one
spelling or grammatical error per page. Some words are used incorrectly.
Sentences may not flow smoothly, making the reader try to determine
the intended meaning. |
The essays are incomplete. Several components are incomplete.
The organization is disorganized to the extent that it prevents
understanding of the content. There are frequent misspelled words
and serious grammatical errors. Some words are used incorrectly.
Sentences may not flow smoothly, making the reader try to determine
the intended meaning. |
Position statement and rationale
| |
Levels of Achievement |
| Excellent (A) 10 points |
Good (B) 8.5 points |
Fair (C) 7 points |
Needs Improvement (D, F) 0-6 points |
| Content |
The position statement clearly describes the think tank's
desired outcome and strategy for reaching the desired outcome.
The rationale includes answers to most of the following questions.
Specific, relevant examples are provided to illustrate points.
- What are the specific problems associated with the issue?
- What are the primary causal elements?
- What program(s) are currently in place to alleviate the
problem(s)?
- Are these program(s) sufficient? If not, why not? If
not, what alternatives are recommended?
- What partnerships and resources are needed for the program(s)
to work effectively?
- What are the short-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
What are the long-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
- Will any groups be disadvantaged by the implementation
of the recommended program(s)? If so, how will their needs
be addressed?
- Why are the recommended program(s) selected over other
programs?
|
The position statement clearly describes the think tank's
desired outcome and strategy for reaching the desired outcome.
The rationale includes answers to most of the following questions
(at least 6). Specific, relevant examples are provided to illustrate
points.
- What are the specific problems associated with the issue?
- What are the primary causal elements?
- What program(s) are currently in place to alleviate the
problem(s)?
- Are these program(s) sufficient? If not, why not? If
not, what alternatives are recommended?
- What partnerships and resources are needed for the program(s)
to work effectively?
- What are the short-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
What are the long-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
- Will any groups be disadvantaged by the implementation
of the recommended program(s)? If so, how will their needs
be addressed?
- Why are the recommended program(s) selected over other
programs?
|
The position statement clearly describes the think tank's
desired outcome and strategy for reaching the desired outcome.
The rationale includes answers to most of the following questions
(at least 6). Specific, relevant examples are not provided to
illustrate points.
- What are the specific problems associated with the issue?
- What are the primary causal elements?
- What program(s) are currently in place to alleviate the
problem(s)?
- Are these program(s) sufficient? If not, why not? If
not, what alternatives are recommended?
- What partnerships and resources are needed for the program(s)
to work effectively?
- What are the short-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
What are the long-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
- Will any groups be disadvantaged by the implementation
of the recommended program(s)? If so, how will their needs
be addressed?
- Why are the recommended program(s) selected over other
programs?
|
The position statement clearly describes the think tank's
desired outcome and strategy for reaching the desired outcome.
The rationale includes answers to fewer than 6 questions. Specific,
relevant examples are not provided to illustrate points.
- What are the specific problems associated with the issue?
- What are the primary causal elements?
- What program(s) are currently in place to alleviate the
problem(s)?
- Are these program(s) sufficient? If not, why not? If
not, what alternatives are recommended?
- What partnerships and resources are needed for the program(s)
to work effectively?
- What are the short-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
What are the long-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
- Will any groups be disadvantaged by the implementation
of the recommended program(s)? If so, how will their needs
be addressed?
- Why are the recommended program(s) selected over other
programs?
|
| Presentation |
The position statement and rationale are complete and well
organized. The work has been thoroughly spell-checked and proofread.
Words are chosen for their precise meaning. For the most part,
sentences flow together to express the intended meaning. |
The position statement and rationale have all of the major
components, but some parts are incomplete. The organization is
generally good, but some parts seem out of place. There are a
few spelling and grammatical errors. With a few exceptions, words
are chosen for their precise meaning and sentences flow together
to express the intended meaning. |
The position statement and rationale have most of the components,
but one component is missing. The organization is unclear. There
is more than one spelling or grammatical error per page. Some
words are used incorrectly. Sentences may not flow smoothly,
making the reader try to determine the intended meaning. |
The position statement and rationale are incomplete. Several
components are incomplete. The organization is disorganized to
the extent that it prevents understanding of the content. There
are frequent misspelled words and serious grammatical errors.
Some words are used incorrectly. Sentences may not flow smoothly,
making the reader try to determine the intended meaning |
Referencing, Requirements/deadlines, and Peer Evals
| |
Levels of Achievement |
| Excellent (A) 10 points |
Good (B) 8.5 points |
Fair (C) 7 points |
Needs Improvement (D, F) 0-6 points |
| Referencing |
All sources are clearly referenced with appropriate in-text
citations. A complete bibliography is furnished. Citations follow
the APA format. |
All sources are clearly referenced with appropriate in-text
citations. A complete bibliography is furnished. Citations generally
follow the APA format, but there are minor errors that would
not keep the reader from finding the source. |
All sources are clearly referenced with appropriate in-text
citations. A complete bibliography is furnished. Citation errors
would keep the reader from finding the reference sources. |
The assignment is incompletely referenced. |
| Assignment requirements and deadlines |
The group meets all assignment requirements and deadlines. |
n/a |
n/a |
The group does not meet all assignment requirements and deadlines. |
| Peer evaluation |
Peer evaluation will be completed by group members. |
Rating Form for Issues Assignments
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Criteria |
Points |
| Data-focused questions |
All questions are answered. Answers are authoritative, current, and referenced appropriately.
Points: _____ x 5
Comments:
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| Essay Questions |
| Content |
Answers to both essay questions are data-based. Data sources are authoritative and current. Data are used in appropriate context.
Rating: _____ x 3
Comments:
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|
|
Presentation |
The essays are complete and well organized. The work has been thoroughly spell-checked and proofread. Words are chosen for their precise meaning. For the most part, sentences flow together to express the intended meaning.
Rating: _____ x 1
Comments:
|
|
| Position statement and rationale |
| Content |
The position statement clearly describes the think tank's desired outcome and strategy for reaching the desired outcome. The rationale includes answers to most of the following questions. Specific, relevant examples are provided to illustrate points.
- What are the specific problems associated with the issue?
- What are the primary causal elements?
- What program(s) are currently in place to alleviate the problem(s)?
- Are these program(s) sufficient? If not, why not? If not, what alternatives are recommended?
- What partnerships and resources are needed for the program(s) to work effectively?
- What are the short-term benefits of the recommended program(s)? What are the long-term benefits of the recommended program(s)?
- Will any groups be disadvantaged by the implementation of the recommended program(s)? If so, how will their needs be addressed?
- Why are the recommended program(s) selected over other programs?
Rating: _____ x 3
Comments:
|
|
| Presentation |
The position statement and rationale are complete and well organized. The work has been thoroughly spell-checked and proofread. Words are chosen for their precise meaning. For the most part, sentences flow together to express the intended meaning.
Rating: _____ x 1
Comments:
|
|
| Referencing, Requirements/deadlines, and Peer Evals |
| Referencing |
All sources are clearly referenced with appropriate in-text citations. A complete bibliography is furnished. Citations follow the APA format.
Rating: _____ x 3
Comments:
|
|
| Assignment requirements and deadlines |
The group meets all assignment requirements and deadlines.
Rating: _____ x 2
Comments:
|
|
| Peer evaluation |
Rating: _____ x 2
Comments:
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| Total
Points for Issues Assignment |
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