First Paper for Structured Independent Study
Answer one of the following:
- Take any chapter in the Herrnson book and write a brief update taking into account developments since its publication early in 2016, including that year's elections. What do we know now that we did not know then? How does this new information bear on his analysis and conclusions?
- Choose any current election for the House or Senate. What do the television campaign ads tell us about the strategies of the Democratic and Republican nominees? (In most cases, you may find them on YouTube.) Some examples here: https://www.vox.com/2018/9/14/17852386/campaign-ads-2018-midterms-gop-cruz In your analysis, consider the economic, demographic, and political makeup makeup of the constituency.
- How will the Kavanaugh controversy affect key races for the Senate in 2018? See the list at https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/9/3/17800588/2018-midterm-elections-senate . In your answer, take into account public opinion surveys as well as the political history of contentious Supreme Court nominations (especially Clarence Thomas).
- Essays should be typed (12-point), double-spaced, and between five and six pages long. I will not read past the sixth page.
- Submit papers as Word documents, not pdfs.
- Cite your sources. Use Turabian/Chicago endnotes.
- Watch your spelling, grammar, diction, and punctuation. Errors will count against you. Email me your papers by October 8. I reserve the right to dock late papers one gradepoint for one day's lateness, a full letter grade after that.
