This week I would like you to start to discuss what will be your research paper topic for the semester. The details are below and it is not due until April 30. You do not need to do any research for your blog post but can start to think about which area you might want to select from the list below (you should focus on only one) and what position you might take. In short, use this blog as a brainstorming opportunity regarding your reflection paper a and general forum regarding President Obama's term so far. Try to be as specific as possible in your initial thoughts. I am not concerned about whether you love him or hate him (OK I am but not in this blog post) but start to talk about his job as president based on what you know about the man and about the position. See the details below.
President Obama Reflection Paper
Due April 30
For this assignment you are to write a 3 page reflection paper (12 point font, double spaced, normal 1” margins) evaluating the Obama Presidency up to this point. After reading this week's assignment you have a good understanding about the roles, powers, goals, and limitations of the presidency as well as the personal characteristics of President Obama as well as some of the strategies he has used. This is a reflection paper where you share your thoughts and opinions in a well thought out concise paper. You are required to use a minimum of three sources for your research which should be cited (I think that 1 hour or so searching for relevant news would be all you might need – please ask about appropriate sources of information if you have questions about this and start with the political news links on the course website). You are to pick a specific area of his first year and a half to evaluate. Some suggestions may include:
- His handling of the financial crisis
- His handling of the War in Iraq
- His handling of the War in Afghanistan
- His relationship with the media
- How “transparent” his administration has been (Is most of the work being done behind closed doors or does the public have access to it?)
- His relationships with his party or bipartisanship
- His foreign policy
- His use of technology
- Whether he has followed up on campaign promises or not
- His effect on the Judicial Branch/Supreme Court
- His decision making style
- His public speaking
- His management of the executive bureaucracy
- How he relates or does not relate to the American public
- His handling of the health care reform
You are not limited to these choices and if you have other ideas please e-mail them to me. The main point is that you should pick some specific aspect of his presidency so far. One great way to brainstorm would be to look through the NY Times interactive article about his first year to see some of the areas that they have discussed (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/04/us/politics/obama-first-year.html?hp).
Regardless of what topic you choose you should discuss the following questions in your paper.
- What has President Obama tried to do so far relating to your topic of choice?
- What has he accomplished/failed to accomplish?
- What do you think this suggests about the future of the Obama presidency?
If you have any questions please let me know.
Ooooooh....I wish I could write about Obama's take on the Cloward-Piven Strategy but I don't think they ever thought one of their disciples would become president! Also I would probably get kicked out of school. And jailed.
ReplyDeleteDoes everyone in the class need to choose different topics? I'd take up fiscal policy, or maybe the media or campaign promises. I have many thoughts on these issues. Oh, yes--many thoughts.
Hehe im not sure whether to do obama care or the promises, its exciting
ReplyDeleteWell , over all I think President Obama is a great speaker of hope and future which is what the American's need. He brings out the positive atmosphere and he takes critiques comments very well which is not something that is easy for the human beings.He is not a president with box idea, i think that he has his standards yet he can be flexible and negotiable with the office. Of course he is not perfect but who is ? I believe that his great communication skills as well as leading skills is something that will keep him in the office for a while...
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt that obama will even want to run for re-election in 2012, his approval ratings are steadily dropping and will continue to descend. i agree that obama is a good speaker, but so was hitler, so that can always be used for good or evil, thats my opinion of course.
ReplyDeleteDig this: A Rassmussen poll says that if Ron Paul and Obama were the candidates and the 2012 contest were held today, it would be a tie! I practically worship Dr. Paul, but unfortunately he won't be the nominee for the Republicans in 2012. This poll just shows that Obama doesn't have a snowball's chance of getting re-elected. Can you say Hillary?
ReplyDeleteAll areas seems pretty interested, but I think I am leaning towards his handling of the health care reform simple because it’s one of his biggest accomplishment so far.
ReplyDeleteHis handling of health care reform has been quite an accomplishment indeed. I'm curious to see what the fallout would be (if any) surrounding his handling of the space program.... Despite the headlines of the day, President Obama has had to travel uphill with quite a load to carry and I wouldn't mind seeing him make it.
ReplyDeleteI want to write about Obama’s environmental policy and whether or not he has stayed true to his campaign promises and worked towards any sort of progressive, transformative change which would be healthy for our environment, hence us as citizens. Specifically, right now I am thinking about his softening to the proposal to open new areas up to drilling in an attempt to wean us off of our dependence on foreign oil rather than exploring alternative energy sources- which -News Flash!- would solve the whole oil dependence issue Period, and be a much needed reprieve to our raped mother earth…I’m still researching. Do you guys think this source is acceptable to cite?http://www.miscellanynews.com/2.1577/obama-s-offshore-drilling-a-misguided-policy-1.2222898 -Courtney
ReplyDeletePerhaps the most unrepresented position on the current administration's performance is the position from the left, the REAL left.
ReplyDeleteObama's administration has accommodated every position and special interest with the exception of his real base, the liberal left. A memo by RahM Emanuel was passed around the democratic party essentially saying the support for the democratic party has waned significantly, however the good news, as the memo had stated was that the vanishing support was from the liberals.
Good news?
Indeed this can be perceived as good news in Washington because the left is seen as a voting bloc that will hold their nose and vote for the democrats anyway, so if there is ever a liberal position, it is given away immediately.
What I'd like to focus on is the people that Obama surrounded himself with. Contrary to the hard right news outlets and the many outlets that unfortunately follow their lead is many issues, these people are NOT leftists. Ken Salazar, Rahm Emanuel, Robert Gibbs - are all center right, old establishment Washington insiders.
In every issue, Obama has given away the queen. For example Supreme Court Justice Stevens is retiring and the Republicans are already poised to filibuster the new appointment. EVEN BEFORE IT WAS ANNOUNCED, and the administration is already positioning itself to "assuage" the Republicans. They cannot be assuaged, no votes will come - but a pattern in the current administration is emerging, they don't want the votes to come.
Obama's agenda is far from liberal, it is center right as the people that he has surrounded himself with. This is his true stance, and every policy and bill coming out of this administration will be as such. This is what we must look at.
Third parties anyone?
I like the way you think Nick!
ReplyDelete