Paper On Against Gun Control

INSTRUCTIONS: You will write a 12 page paper. To complete the assignment, you must choose an issue facing the USA. If you are having a difficult time coming up with an issue, come see me, and we’ll figure something out together. The paper will be graded in accordance with the Palo Alto College Critical Thinking, Communications (Written), Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility rubrics.

The paper must be written with a word processor. You must upload the paper to Canvas as a Word (.doc or .docx) file by 11:59 on Friday December 6th. I will not grade papers that are not uploaded as doc or .docx files. Include a cover page which provides a paper title and your name. The cover page will not count towards your page count. The rest of the text must be at least 10 pages, double-spaced, 12-pt. Times New Roman font, and with 1-inch margins on all sides. You will need to use at least 10 reputable outside sources. Wikipedia, the textbook, and summary websites like procon.org are NOT valid sources for this paper. If you have questions about a source’s validity, ask me!

You will need to adhere to the citation guidelines set forth by the American Political Science Association. A PDF APSA style guide will be provided. You must also include a works cited section on a separate page that will not count toward your page count.

I am always more than happy to look at drafts and give feedback along the way.

RESOURCES: There are three vital resources to help you with this paper. The first resource is the PAC Library located online and in Ozuna Hall. We will spend time in class discussing the library resources, and links to this information will be provided on the course Canvas page. The second resource is the PAC Writing Assistance Center located in Gutierrez 102/104. The writing center is an invaluable resource for ALL students which can help make you a better writer and turn a good paper into a great paper. The third resource is me! I am always more than happy to help you out and give you a push in the right direction. Do not hesitate to contact me if any questions or concerns arise while working on this paper.

GRADING: 

35 percent of the grade will come from following the Critical Thinking rubric.

35 percent of the grade will come from following the Communications rubric.

10 percent of the grade will come from following the Social Responsibility rubric.

10 percent of the grade will come from following the Personal Responsibility rubric.

10 percent of the grade will come from following the formatting instructions.

PAPER CONTENTS: Here you will find the contents I expect to in your completed paper. For each section, except for the introduction section, you need to use subheadings. Refer to the provided APSA Style Guide for examples of how to properly use subheadings. You will want to come up with more creative subheadings than simply “Section 1” or “Section 2”. Good subheadings will be brief (3-4 words maximum) and provide an accurate or clever description of what is to follow in the section.

INTRODUCTION SECTION (1-2 paragraphs): In the introduction section you will need to define your issue, define the scope of your issue (i.e. who does it affect), and discuss how this issue affects the United States. You will also need to provide a brief “road map” letting the reader know what you will be discussing throughout the paper.

SECTION 1 (2-3 pages): In this section, history of your issue within the United States and in other countries.

1. Discuss the history of your issue from the perspective of the United States.

a. How did the issue arise? b. How long has the issue been affecting the United States? C. What, if anything, has been done at the national, state, or local levels to solve

your issue? 2. Discuss the history of your issue from the perspectives of other countries.

a. Have other countries around the world faced similar issues, or is your issue

unique to the United States? b. What have other countries done to deal with their similar issues?

i. Were these efforts successful or unsuccessful?

SECTION 2 (2 pages): In this section, you must discuss the ethical views surrounding your issue. Note: The entirety of the personal responsibility rubric score comes from this section 

1. Discuss and define utilitarianism.

a. Analyze how a utilitarian would view the issue. Discuss and define deontological ethics, social justice ethics, OR virtue ethics (PICK ONE).

a. Analyze how a person holding the ethical view you chose would view the

issue. 3. Discuss and define your ethical viewpoint.

a. Using your ethical viewpoint, analyze how you feel about the issue. 4. Analyze and discuss any conflicts or agreements the ethical viewpoints you discussed

have regarding the issue..

SECTION 3 (2 pages): In this section, you will discuss the cultural viewpoints surrounding your issue. Note: The entirety of the social responsibility rubric score comes from this section).

1. Discuss and define the cultural views of a racial, ethnic, or religious group other than

your own.

a. Analyze how members of this group may view the issue. b. Discuss the broader influence of this group in shaping how your issue is

treated. 2. Discuss and define the cultural views of another racial, ethnic, or religious group

other than your own.

a. Analyze how this group may view the issue. b. Discuss the broader influence of this group in shaping how your issue is

treated. 3. Discuss and define your own cultural views from racial, ethnic, and religious

perspectives.

a. Identify and analyze your cultural beliefs as they pertain to your issue. b. Discuss how your cultural beliefs may bias or prejudice you towards a

particular outcome.

d analyze how your cultural viewpoint interacts and coexists with the two other cultural viewpoints.

a. Is there currently agreement or conflict between these groups in regards to

your issue? b. If there is cultural conflict, how can it be overcome?

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SECTION 4 (2-3 pages): In this section, you will discuss how to solve your issue.

1. Discuss and define the all-around political views of modern American liberals and

conseivatives.

a. Analyze how modern American liberals and conservatives would view the

issue. b. Discuss example policy solutions modern American liberals and

conservatives would have for your issue. Analyze the differences in these

approaches. 2. Discuss and define your political views.

a. Analyze how your political views shape the way you view your issue.

3. Create and define your preferred policy solution to your issue.

4. Identify and discuss the various stakeholders within the United States regarding your

issue.

a. Discuss which stakeholders would be for or against your policy and why they

would feel the way they do. b. In regards to the stakeholders who would be opposed to your policy, how

might they be swayed over to your side? 5. Identify the needed processes to make your policy a reality.

a. How much money would be needed?

i. Where would the money come from? b. Who would be responsible for passing any needed laws or approving any

needed policies?

CONCLUSION SECTION (1-2 paragraphs): In this section, you need to wrap your paper up and bring everything back together. Don’t just regurgitate what you’ve already written. Highlight the importance of your issue and the policy you’ve created. Make a call action. Tell the reader what they should do to help make the change you want to see.