Introduction to the United States Government, FALL 2011, MW 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
Instructor: Basia Combs
Term Paper Topic & Directions
Topic: Political Ideology and its Influence on Presidential Decision Making
Directions:
Minimum 3 to 4 pages, double spaced, Times New Roman #12 font, include works cited & PRINT!!!!
Select one pair of the presidents you would like to focus on:
1. George W.H. Bush, Sr. and Bill Clinton or
2. George W. Bush, Jr. and Barak Obama
Use text book, Journal Articles, Magazines, Books, etc. to research both presidents (when using the Internet, make sure you include the website address in your work cited); I have posted a Ppt. presentation on Blackboard, where you can find some helpful notes about political ideologies (see Lecture 6, Public Opinion).
In your term paper include the following:
1. Define political ideology, focusing on two major ideologies of Liberalism and Conservatism; briefly describe/list major premises of each
2. Presidents’ political ideology standing and party affiliation
3. Choose one domestic policy and one foreign policy issue each president coped with while in office and discuss whether and/or how their political ideology standing influenced their decisions
4. Anything else you find sound to justify your research/statements
75 points worth of the total grade score
Due Nov 28, 2011 (Monday)