Honors Civics and Economics Policy Project 2018

Due Dates:
 Wednesday, April 18: Policy Topic and Group (if applicable) selected
 April 26 or 27 – policy memo abstract, outline, and bibliography due (see rubric) and
presentations
 May 4 – policy memo due, with stapled rubric
 May 8-11 – policy workshops , take notes on the advice from the experts (attach these)
 May 11-18 – edit policy memo
 May 18 (or before) – final memo due with notes, stapled to the back of your first draft

A. The Project Defined: Students conduct research in their community to analyze problems not being
dealt with well by government officials. Students will:

1. Conduct research on the problem

2. Identify alternative solutions and weigh advantages/disadvantages
3. Propose a solution to the problem that requires governmental action
and does not violate provisions of state and federal constitutions
4. Create a policy memo to influence the appropriate government agencies
to consider or adopt the solution to the problem and will “workshop” with
policy experts – presenting their research.

B. Student Tasks: research, present, and edit

1. Students will collect this work and design a policy memo with a detailed
bibliography.
2. They will then present this memo to policy experts from May 8-11, 2018.
3. Students will then edit their memo, based upon the advice of the policy
experts. This final project is due on or before Friday, May 18, 2018.

C. Public Policy Defined:

1. It is a concept or set of ideas that guides a course of action or procedure used

in dealing with public issues or problems.
2. It is embodied in laws, rules, or regulations or agreed upon procedures
used by government to fulfill its responsibilities to protect the rights of the
people and to promote the general welfare.
3. It may distribute the benefits and burdens of society, manage the distribution
of resources, and manage conflicts.
4. It must be implemented with procedural justice, staying within the boundaries
of US and state constitutional requirements.
D. The Policy Memo and Outline

1. Abstract: a summary (in one paragraph of 300 words or less) of the major aspects
of the entire memo in the following format:
A) One part: An identification and description of the state law your paper addresses, and
B) Two parts: An explicit identification and explanation of the solution to the problem (which
is your proposed policy) and a brief explanation of why you’ve chosen this route.

2. Description of the state law and of why it’s a problem: this section has two parts
A) An explanation of why this is a problem in our state and across the nation
B) An exploration of what other states are doing (what are their laws, exactly?):
 Southern states are the best to compare/contrast with NC—our legislature may be
more convinced by a comparison with, say SC, than it would be with, say, CA).
 At least three other states should be examined in this section.

3. Description of the policy solution: an explicit proposal identified and explained

4. Analysis of potential arguments against the policy: this section has two parts
A) Possible unintended consequences of your policy
B) Alliances and opposition: identify and explain at least two groups/people for and
two against your policy

5. Conclusion: this part has a little flair to it

6. Bibliography (NOTE: Use at least five scholarly sources.)

Of these sources:
A) At least one must be an interview
B) At least two must be primary sources (so, your interview + another primary source)

E. Rubric Requirements for the Project

1. Policy Abstract and Outline Rubric: Due on April 26 or 27
Use for your presentations on April 26 or 27

OUTLINE CATEGORY TOTAL POINTS POINTS AWARDED

1. Abstract 10 points
(fully written)
2. Description of problem 10 points
(bullet points are fine)
3. Policy Solution 10 points
(bullet points are fine)
4. Analysis of potential 10 points
arguments against the policy
(bullet points are fine)
Bibliography (5 sources) 10 points
Late Penalty (if applicable)
TOTAL 50 POINTS
 Policy Memo Rubric: Due on May 4 and May 18
(Please detach this and staple to the front of your memo, due on May 4)
Use for the Policy Workshops on May 8-11

Name ________________________________ Class Period ______

MEMO CATEGORY TOTAL POINTS AWARDED

POINTS
1. Abstract May 4: First Draft: May 4 Final Draft: May 18
Have you identified and 10 points
explained the state law and May 18:
your policy solution? 15 points

2. Description of May 4:
problem 10 points
Have you provided an
explanation of why this is a
problem in our state and May 18:
across the nation and given an 20 points
exploration of what 3 other
states are doing?
3. Policy Solution May 4:
Have you written a well- 10 points
researched, explicit policy
solution? May 18:
15 points
4. Analysis of potential May 4:
arguments against the 10 points
policy
Have you explained the
possible unintended
consequences of your policy, May 18:
and identified and explained 20 points
at least two groups/people
for and two against your
policy?
5. Conclusion May 4:
Does your memo have a 5 points
concluding paragraph that May 18:
has a bit of flair to it? 15 points
6. Bibliography May 4:
(at least 5 sources) 5 points
May 18:
15 points
Presentation during the
Workshops on 50 points
May 8-11
Total: presentation + May 4 Total: May 18 points
completed sections
TOTAL 100
POINTS