Paper Criteria
? Topic selection: We are going to have some fun with the paper?or at least as much fun as you can have writing a paper. We are going to watch Captain America: Civil War in class, and it will be your job to choose a side (Team Cap or Team Iron-Man) and use their position to justify your stance on one of the topics listed below. While this movie is a big budget Hollywood blockbuster, the theme of the film (security vs. liberty) is very real and in fact, is often the underlying issue behind many issues that our government deals with.

You will write over either immigration/terrorism, or the new Texas law which will allow the carry of concealed handguns on college campuses beginning in 2016 & 2017 respectively.

TOPIC I

Immigration/terrorism is always a hot topic, especially with the presidential election looming. Donald Trump has been very outspoken regarding his stance on immigration (both form the southern border as well as from people attempting to enter the U.S. from elsewhere, particularly nations consisting primarily of Muslims, while Hillary Clinton has attempted to portray herself as the champion for immigration. We find ourselves in a unique position as a nation, especially given our history as a nation of immigrants, but the open door policies and ideals may no longer apply to a nation which finds itself intrinsically connected to the rest of the world (a world far more dangerous and frightening that it was early in our history), and we must decide how to proceed. Do we continue to advocate for immigration and hold the U.S. up as the paragon for a ?better life? as we have historically? Don?t forget that the Statue of Liberty, the very symbol of freedom to so many throughout the years, bears a plaque at her feet which directs the nations of the world as follows:

?Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

?Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

And yet, how can we expect to protect our borders and citizens in today?s uncertain world if we hold the above ideal literally? It is the most basic of all governmental responsibilities to provide the people with security, but as we have seen in recent months in Europe, an open door immigration policy can endanger the citizenry in a very real and painful way. Should we have entrance exams as Trump has suggested, designed to determine where your loyalties lie? Should we build a huge wall which stretches across our entire southern border? For those who say such a wall can?t work, I would point to the success that Israel has had with their wall. At the same time, is that what we want as a nation? Is that the message we want to send, and what do we give up to guarantee security? This is a problem which some of the brightest political philosophers and Founding Fathers have wrestled with from the beginning of time. There will be no right or wrong answer here, but this is a topic which is worth our time and attention, and it is something you should consider when you vote/if you vote this November.

TOPIC II

Speaking of balancing security with liberty, as of the end of the 84th Texas Legislative, a law has been signed which will allow the legal carry of concealed handguns on college campuses. This is an argument where security and liberty can be applied to both sides. Some feel that being allowed to carry a handgun concealed on a college campus supports their 2nd Amendment rights/liberty while also ensuring that they are more secure in a world where mass shooting have become all too common. Others feel that this law directly violates their security by allowing some people to carry a gun onto a campus, thereby making them less safe as a result.

What does the law state regarding this issue, and how do you believe that colleges/universities will accommodate this legislation? Is the law a good idea or a bad idea, and why or why not? You should fully explore this issue and base your conclusion upon actual facts and statistics, not the political rhetoric of one side or the other. This law is now in effect for all 4-year public universities in Texas, and will be in effect next August for 2-year colleges such as San Jacinto. DO NOT confuse this law with open carry!!! They are not the same in any way.

? Title Page: Please include a title page for your research paper. Include:
o Your name
o The title of your paper
o The course you are in (ex. GOVT 2306)

? Content: Using at least 5 sources (Internet, and/or library resources) address the various sides (or positions) of your issue, come up with your own personal conclusions based on your analysis of the issue, and demonstrate an understanding of its complexities. Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias are NOT valid sources!! Sources must be verifiable and journalistically/academically sound.

o Include a brief history of your issue.
o Compare and contrast at least (2) different political perspectives (viewpoints)
o Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each position you include
o Present an informed evaluation of the evidence and different viewpoint surrounding the topic
o What do you conclude? Which position to you agree with most and why?

? Paper length: In a Word document, write a research paper with a minimum (no maximum) of 3 – 5 pages, (not counting headings), double-spaced with 12-point font. The paper should be created in Word, typewritten and double-spaced, and based on information from a minimum of five (5) primary sources (no maximum).

? Writing Style: Proofread your paper to eliminate spelling and grammatical errors. Please use spell check and grammar check. Use proper paragraphing and improve your writing style by revising the paper as many times as necessary. You may also take your paper to the writing center for additional assistance!

? Citations: Any time you borrow someone?s ideas, paraphrase or quote them, (see plagiarism section in syllabus) cite all sources using the APA citation style. Be sure to cite specific information you found in your research to support your claims. Use the same citation format throughout your paper. Analyze and question your sources assumptions. Remember to use at least 5 sources and that Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias are not valid sources!

? A bibliography or ?work cited? page also using your above citation style.

Paper Criteria
? Topic selection: We are going to have some fun with the paper?or at least as much fun as you can have writing a paper. We are going to watch Captain America: Civil War in class, and it will be your job to choose a side (Team Cap or Team Iron-Man) and use their position to justify your stance on one of the topics listed below. While this movie is a big budget Hollywood blockbuster, the theme of the film (security vs. liberty) is very real and in fact, is often the underlying issue behind many issues that our government deals with.

You will write over either immigration/terrorism, or the new Texas law which will allow the carry of concealed handguns on college campuses beginning in 2016 & 2017 respectively.

TOPIC I

Immigration/terrorism is always a hot topic, especially with the presidential election looming. Donald Trump has been very outspoken regarding his stance on immigration (both form the southern border as well as from people attempting to enter the U.S. from elsewhere, particularly nations consisting primarily of Muslims, while Hillary Clinton has attempted to portray herself as the champion for immigration. We find ourselves in a unique position as a nation, especially given our history as a nation of immigrants, but the open door policies and ideals may no longer apply to a nation which finds itself intrinsically connected to the rest of the world (a world far more dangerous and frightening that it was early in our history), and we must decide how to proceed. Do we continue to advocate for immigration and hold the U.S. up as the paragon for a ?better life? as we have historically? Don?t forget that the Statue of Liberty, the very symbol of freedom to so many throughout the years, bears a plaque at her feet which directs the nations of the world as follows:

?Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

?Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

And yet, how can we expect to protect our borders and citizens in today?s uncertain world if we hold the above ideal literally? It is the most basic of all governmental responsibilities to provide the people with security, but as we have seen in recent months in Europe, an open door immigration policy can endanger the citizenry in a very real and painful way. Should we have entrance exams as Trump has suggested, designed to determine where your loyalties lie? Should we build a huge wall which stretches across our entire southern border? For those who say such a wall can?t work, I would point to the success that Israel has had with their wall. At the same time, is that what we want as a nation? Is that the message we want to send, and what do we give up to guarantee security? This is a problem which some of the brightest political philosophers and Founding Fathers have wrestled with from the beginning of time. There will be no right or wrong answer here, but this is a topic which is worth our time and attention, and it is something you should consider when you vote/if you vote this November.

TOPIC II

Speaking of balancing security with liberty, as of the end of the 84th Texas Legislative, a law has been signed which will allow the legal carry of concealed handguns on college campuses. This is an argument where security and liberty can be applied to both sides. Some feel that being allowed to carry a handgun concealed on a college campus supports their 2nd Amendment rights/liberty while also ensuring that they are more secure in a world where mass shooting have become all too common. Others feel that this law directly violates their security by allowing some people to carry a gun onto a campus, thereby making them less safe as a result.

What does the law state regarding this issue, and how do you believe that colleges/universities will accommodate this legislation? Is the law a good idea or a bad idea, and why or why not? You should fully explore this issue and base your conclusion upon actual facts and statistics, not the political rhetoric of one side or the other. This law is now in effect for all 4-year public universities in Texas, and will be in effect next August for 2-year colleges such as San Jacinto. DO NOT confuse this law with open carry!!! They are not the same in any way.

? Title Page: Please include a title page for your research paper. Include:
o Your name
o The title of your paper
o The course you are in (ex. GOVT 2306)

? Content: Using at least 5 sources (Internet, and/or library resources) address the various sides (or positions) of your issue, come up with your own personal conclusions based on your analysis of the issue, and demonstrate an understanding of its complexities. Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias are NOT valid sources!! Sources must be verifiable and journalistically/academically sound.

o Include a brief history of your issue.
o Compare and contrast at least (2) different political perspectives (viewpoints)
o Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each position you include
o Present an informed evaluation of the evidence and different viewpoint surrounding the topic
o What do you conclude? Which position to you agree with most and why?

? Paper length: In a Word document, write a research paper with a minimum (no maximum) of 3 – 5 pages, (not counting headings), double-spaced with 12-point font. The paper should be created in Word, typewritten and double-spaced, and based on information from a minimum of five (5) primary sources (no maximum).

? Writing Style: Proofread your paper to eliminate spelling and grammatical errors. Please use spell check and grammar check. Use proper paragraphing and improve your writing style by revising the paper as many times as necessary. You may also take your paper to the writing center for additional assistance!

? Citations: Any time you borrow someone?s ideas, paraphrase or quote them, (see plagiarism section in syllabus) cite all sources using the APA citation style. Be sure to cite specific information you found in your research to support your claims. Use the same citation format throughout your paper. Analyze and question your sources assumptions. Remember to use at least 5 sources and that Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias are not valid sources!

? A bibliography or ?work cited? page also using your above citation style.