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Paper Topics GOVT 132  2023 These are the topics and detailed instructions for two required class papers

Management

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Topic for Paper 1. A Policy Brief. See the deadline in the syllabus. 5 PTS

 

 

You are asked to prepare a policy brief for the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the US House of Representatives. A policy brief is a written report to justify a particular government policy—which you advocate—chosen over other options. In most cases, policy briefs are produced upon a request from a government department, institution, or some other organization. Policy briefs should contain compelling factual materials about the current state of affairs and a critical assessment of these facts. Policy briefs also contain arguments to justify the recommended policy, the expected benefits, as well as possible problems if the policy is implemented.

 

The topic for the assigned policy brief:

 

 

Begin your report with a brief statement (2-3 sentences) which should be a compelling summary of your policy brief. You can write this statement last, when you finish the whole paper. Remember, most people in high political offices prefer short sentences and clear messages. Grab their attention early.   

 

Next, evaluate the current status of the United States’ relations with the country (under President Biden’s Administration) or an organization you have chosen. Use facts, such as statistical data, documents, or documented events. Insert minimum 3 hyperlinks to the sources of your data.

(Value: 1 point)

 

Describe the goal or several goals of your proposed foreign-policy course with the selected country. Be specific. Do not try to accommodate the House Committee members (as well as your professor and the graduate teaching assistants). For example, just to illustrate, your goal could be, “to isolate Russia economically and politically by 2024”, or “to restore diplomatic relations with Iran”, or “reach a new massive political and economic agreement with the EU”.

(Value: .5 one half of a point)

 

Mention competing alternative views and policies that somebody is either promoting (or could be promoting in your opinion) or implementing (or could be implementing) to achieve these goals.

These views can be: (1) cautiously optimistic, (2) cautious, or (3) pessimistic, critical.

(Value: .5 one half of a point)

Propose specific policy steps for 2023-24. These are short sentences about what specifically the United States’ government or NGOs should or should not do to accomplish your goals. Do not propose, ideas such as, “we need to improve our relations with…”, or “we need to have a clear policy on….” These are meaningless statements. You need to briefly suggest what should be done and how.

(Value: 1 one point)

 

Use at least one visual aid in your brief. Most decision-makers who will read you brief are likely to have a short attention span. Therefore, a diagram, a chart, a table, or a graph should enhance your message. 

(Value: .5 one half of a point)

 

Suggest 2-3 positive outcomes that you expect if your policies are implemented.

(Value: .5 one half of a point)

 

Also suggest 1-2 possible negative consequences of your policies. Which international and domestic factors remain beyond your control?

(Value: .5 one half of a point)

 

Provide a short conclusion, which may or may not necessarily resembles your opening sentences.

(Value: .5 one half of a point)

 

 

The expected length of the policy brief: 1,400 -1,600 words