Please choose one of the following topics for your paper:

Compare and contrast regions of the country on several measures of economic development, race and ethnicity, and ideology and suggest how these may lead to policy differences in states and communities.

List and describe the major sections contained in most state constitutions. How are these major sections managed in Florida?

List and describe the main functions of state legislators. Which function seems most important and why?

Compare the executive power of governors in state politics.

Explain how and why states are seeking to reform, privatize and reinvent government.

Compare the methods of judicial selection in the states.

Diagram the major forms of city government and contrast their major features.

Compare and contrast the roles of city managers and mayors.

Trace the development of U.S. policy towards Native Americans generally and tribal government specifically.

Describe the politics of immigration from both a national and subnational perspective.

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Each student must incorporate the following aspects to their papers:

Each paper must be at least 1500 words in length (about 6 pages).

Each paper must rely on substantial examples from the state of Florida (you may ask me for permission to use examples from another state).

Each paper must be turned in as a Word or .rtf file and the student must save a copy of the paper on their desktop or disk.

Each paper must rely on at least four scholarly resources. (Cornell University Library: Scholarly or peer-reviewed journal articles are written by scholars or professionals who are experts in their fields. In the sciences and social sciences, they often publish research results. Substantive news articles are reliable sources of information on events and issues of public concern.)

Sources must be dated after January 1, 2012.

Each paper must have a works cited page as well as citations within the text.

Each paper must show a consistent citation format such as APA or MLA.

Each paper must have a well developed conclusion with the author’s thoughts and analysis of the information presented in the paper.

All papers will be graded according to the following rubric:

Content: 0-140 points This category puts a basic score on the overall effectiveness of the paper. Does it convey its ideas in a logical and smooth fashion? Is the topic completely and sufficiently addressed? Does the author provide good evidence for his or her assertions? Are clear examples from the state of Florida presented in the paper?

Writing: 0-20 points This category looks at grammar, punctuation, clarity and style. Are there numerous errors that might have easily been fixed with proofreading? Does the writer express himself or herself in a logical way? Is the text of the paper creative or solidly written?

References: 0-10 points This category simply asks whether or not the author used at least four scholarly references.

Synthesis with course material: 0-30 points This category rates the writer s use of course material in his or her paper. Has she/he used terms from the various chapters that are appropriate for the topic?