Research Paper Topics – Government 2301You may choose any of the.docx

Research Paper Topics – Government 2301
You may choose any of the following topics for your research
paper. Your paper should be a minimum of five double-spaced
pages with a font of no larger than 12 pitch. Remember that
any research paper should include an introductory and summary
paragraph. If none of these topics is of interest to you – I’m
open to your suggestion – but you must clear the topic with me
FIRST. You should include a bibliography with your paper.
Remember that websites change periodically. If you click on
the icon and it does not work – do a search for the topic or
agency. You are free to go to other websites to supplement the
material. If you have any problems, contact me. THIS PAPER
IS DUE BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY, APRIL 25.
1. Changing Hispanic Power in America
(http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress)
In recent years, the great cultural diversity of America has been
reflected by the increasing number of Hispanics in the American
population. Demographers predict that Hispanics will
eventually become the largest minority group in the nation,
possibly surpassing African Americans in total numbers. In
addition, Hispanic voting has been on the upswing in elections.
Appropriately, Hispanic representation has also been increasing.
In order to gain an additional perspective on this trend, go to
the above listed URL, entitled “Hispanic Americans in
Congress.” Select the link to the Table of Contents and then hit
“Introduction.” Read the several pages of material and answer
the following questions:
· Which three states first sent Hispanic representatives to
Congress? What effect did the Spanish-American War have
upon the history of Hispanic Americans in Congress?
· Who were Dennis Chavez and Joseph Manuel Montoya?

· Why did the first half of the 1990s witness an increase in the
number of Hispanic members?
· What is the Hispanic Caucus, when was it established, and
why is it significant?
Select the back button on your browser and return to the main
page and Table of Contents. Find the link entitled “Hispanic
Americans in Congress, 1822-1935, List by Geographic
Locations” and focus on the most recent years available.
· Which states in the 1990s have provided most of the Hispanic
congressional legislators?
Now click on the links for any five contemporary Hispanic
representatives. Read their short biographies and answer the
following:
· Are there political, social, and economic issues that seem
common to the policy interests of the five Hispanic
representatives?
· On which important committees and subcommittees do the
Hispanic legislators serve?
· Is there any overlap among those respective
committee/subcommittee assignments?
· What to the various assignments tell you about Hispanic
interests/needs in America?
2. Unratified Constitutional Amendments -
http://www.usconstitution.net/constamfail.html and
http://www.oyez.org/cases/1901-1939/1938/1938_7

While 27 amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution,
there have also been six other amendments that have been
approved by Congress but not ratified by the requisite number
of states. Go directly to the first website and read the material
on each of those amendments. Now, respond to the following
tasks and/or questions:
· Summarize the content of each non-ratified amendment.
· Explain the significance of Coleman v. Miller vis-à-vis the
ratification process (2nd link).
· Which of the six amendments in question was actually signed
by the president?
· Can you suggest any reasons why these amendments were not
ratified?
· Why do you think the proposed ERA amendment was given
additional ratification time?
Other constitutional amendments have been proposed over the
years as well, but they have not been able to clear both houses
of Congress by the requisite two-thirds vote. Once again, using
any available search-engine of your choice, try to find one
example of a contemporary proposed constitutional amendment
that Congress has considered. Summarize this amendment’s
content and purpose.
3. Civil Liberties - http://www.aclu.org
Go the American Civil Liberties website listed above and
choose three issues to read about. Summarize and express your
opinions regarding stories found in the features, highlights, or
congressional categories.
3. Civil Rights – The Death Penalty

First, choose one of the following movies to rent and view:
The Green Mile
The Live of David Gale
The Chamber
Dead Man Walking
If you have another movie in mind, check with me and it might
work as well.
Provide a summary of the movie and the apparent position
regarding the death penalty. Then, do a search on the “death
penalty” and gather information both pro and con regarding this
highly controversial issue. Take a position and defend that
position based on what you have seen and/or read.
4. Public Opinion - http://www.galluppoll.com/
The Gallup Organization has been taking polls of public opinion
since 1935. It is one of the world’s foremost polling
organizations. Go to the website above and read about polling,
then answer the following:
· Describe the basic principle of probability sampling. What
role does the concept of “equal probability of selection” have to
play in this process?
· What is a random sample? Describe a process by which you
could get a true random sample of a population.
· What U.S. national sample size is required in order to be
accurate within a margin of error of plus or minus three
percentage points?
· What role does the wording of the questions have to play in

getting an accurate picture of public opinion? Why does Gallup
often test several different wordings of a question when they are
asking questions about a new content area?
· Choose a poll on the website and analyze it in terms of the
questions that you have already answered.
5. Interest Groups –
Choose an interest group that you think you would like to join
after graduation from college. Now, go to its website and read
everything. Then, in your essay, explain why you would like to
be a member of this interest groups and summarize everything
that you learned about this group. You may use any resources
that you need to gather information regarding the interest group.
6. Elections - http://www.opensecets.org/races/index.asp
Go to the “Open Secrets) website above which maintains a
profile for all members of congress who ran in the last election.
This profile analyzes all campaign contributions and their
sources. Select your state and then your senator and house
representative and answer the following:
· How much money did each candidate raise for the 2012
election?
· List the amount and percentage of total funds received from
PACs.
· While on the website, summarize as much information
regarding the money spent in Texas during the last election in
2012 – i.e. where the spending came from, who contributed, etc.
· Finally, click on the Stats at a Glance and summarize your
findings regarding the elections across the nation.

Note – if you choose this question, you’ll want to look at the
information from the primaries that were held earlier this year.
Then take a look after the general election in November and see
if they have updated their website.
Project Part 1: The Accounting Cycle
Karen Harris starts her own scooter retail business, City Rides,
on December 1, 20x2. The business operates as a proprietorship
from a rented space near a busy downtown area. Harris hires
Jim Waters as the sales associate and assistant manager of the
business. The following transactions take place during
December 20x2.
Transactions
Dec. 1
Harris deposits $45,000 into the business bank account. In
exchange, she receives capital in the proprietorship.
|X|
1
Harris writes and mails check #001 for $2,400 for rent. The rent
payment covers rent for the three months ended February 28,
20x2.
|X|
2
Harris purchases office equipment for $1,800 by check #002.
|_|
2
Harris purchases office supplies for $420 by check #003.
|_|
2
Harris purchases 20 Model X mopeds at $500 each and 15
Model L mopeds at $800 each, costing a total of $22,000, on
account from a supplier, Fun Brands:
· Harris elects to use the first-in-first-out (FIFO) method to
account for inventory.

· Fun Brands provides an invoice with the following terms: 2/10
net 30.
|_|
9
In the first week of operation, City Rides sells 16 Model X
mopeds at $750 each: 10 are sold on account, and the rest are
sold for cash.
|_|
12
City Rides makes payment to Fun Brands in full settlement of
accounts payable by check #004. Payment is net of the purchase
discount. Hint: The terms are 2/10 net 30, and any purchase
discount received reduces the cost of inventory.
|_|
13
City Rides purchases 10 Model X mopeds from Fun Brands on
account at a cost of $520 each.
|_|
16
The sales for the week are as follows: 6 Model X mopeds sold
on account for $750 each—inventory cost accounted using the
FIFO method.
|_|
18
Cash receipts from customers on accounts receivable are
$7,100.
|_|
30
Sales for the rest of December are as follows: 2 Model L
mopeds sold for cash for $1,100 each.
|_|
30
Harris receives the utilities bill for December 20X2 for $650,
still payable at month end.
|_|
30

Harris pays wages amounting to $1,800 by check #005.
|_|
30
Harris withdraws $2,500 in cash.
|_|
The Chart of Accounts
The ledger of City Rides is composed of the following accounts.
Classify each account by account type. Choose from among the
following items:
Asset Contra-asset Liability Owner’s equity
Account Name
Account Type
Cash
Accounts Receivable
Supplies

Prepaid Rent
Inventory
Office Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation—Office Equipment
Accounts Payable
Capital—Harris
Withdrawals—Harris
Income Summary
Sales Revenue
Cost of Goods Sold
Wages Expense
Rent Expense
Depreciation Expense—Office Equipment
Supplies Expense
Complete the following schedule to track the purchase and sale
of inventory items during December 20x2. Use the FIFO method
to account for the cost of goods sold. The first inventory
purchase and sale are included as an example.
MODEL X
MODEL L
Date

Purchase (sale)
Quantity
Cost per unit
Total
Date
Purchase (sale)
Quantity
Cost per unit
Total
Dec. 2
Purchase
20
$500
$10,000
Dec. 2
purchase
15
$800
$12,000
9
(Sale)
(16)
$500
($8,000)
30
13

16
16
Task 1: Making Journal Entries
Journalize the transactions for December 20x2. The first three

transactions are journalized already. Use the following template
to make journal entries and check off transactions as they are
entered, using the check boxes. Double-click each check box
and select “checked” in the dialog box. Click the OK button to
check.
Date
Account and Explanation
Debit
Credit
Dec 1
Cash
$45,000
Capital
$45,000
To record owner contribution
1
Prepaid Rent
$2,400
Cash
$2,400
To record prepaid expense

Date
Debit
Credit

AC1220 ACCOUNTING I
Project Part 1
Page 1
Task 2: Using the Accounting Worksheet
Adjustments
Dec. 31
Depreciation on office equipment, $360
|_|
31
Supplies used, $300
|_|
31
Recognized rent expense—prepaid rent account

|_|
Complete the worksheet provided on the next page by making
the adjustments described. Compute adjusted trial balance
amounts and enter account balances into the income statement
and balance sheet columns, where necessary.
City Rides
Accounting Worksheet
For the Month Ended Dec. 31 20x2
Account
Trial Balance
Adjustments
Adjusted Trial Balance
Income Statement
Balance Sheet
Debit
Credit
Debit
Credit
Debit
Credit
Debit
Credit
Debit
Credit
Cash
$19,020

Accounts Receivable
12,000
Prepaid Rent
2,400
Supplies
420

Inventory
15,720
Office Equipment
1,800
-
Accounts Payable

$5,850
Capital—Harris
45,000
2,500
Sales Revenue
16,500

Cost of Goods Sold
11,040
Wages Expense
1,800
Rent Expense
-

-
Utilities Expense
650
Supplies Expense
-

Total
$67,350
$67,350
Net Income
TOTAL
Task 3: Preparing Financial Statements and Closing the

Accounts
Using the following adjusted trial balance amounts, prepare the
income statement, the statement of owner’s equity, and the
balance sheet of City Rides for the month ended December 31,
20x2.
City Rides
Trial Balance
December 31, 20x2
Account
Debit
Credit
Cash
$19,020
Accounts Receivable
12,000
Prepaid Rent
1,600
Supplies
120
Inventory
15,720
Office Equipment
1,800
360
Accounts Payable
5,850

Capital—Harris
45,000
2,500
Sales Revenue
16,500
Cost of Goods Sold
11,040
Wages Expense
1,800
Rent Expense
800
360
Utilities Expense
650
Supplies Expense
300
$67,710
$67,710
City Rides
Income Statement
For the Year Ended December 20x2
Sales Revenue

Less Expenses:
Net Income
Preparing Financial Statements
City Rides
Statement of Owner’s Equity
For the Year Ended December 20x2
Beginning Capital

Ending Capital, Harris
City Rides
Balance Sheet
December 31, 20x2
Assets
Liabilities
Owner’s Equity

Total Assets
Total Liabilities and Owner’s Equity
Closing Temporary Accounts
Using the journal template given, make the following closing
entries. Use the revenue, expense, and withdrawals balances
given before.
Closing Entries
31
Closed Sales Revenues to Income Summary Account
|_|
31
Closed Expense Accounts to Income Summary Account
|_|
31
Closed Income Summary Account to Capital—Harris, Account
|_|
31

Closed Withdrawals—Harris Account to Capital Account
|_|
Date
Debit
Credit
Dec 31
To close sales revenue to income summary
31

To close expenses to income summary
31

To close income summary
30
To close withdrawals account
---End of Project Part 1---
AC1220 Lab 5.3
Introduction
Jake’s Computer Sales and Repair acquired land, land
improvements, and a building in exchange for a $180,000 note
payable. The building was renovated at a cost of $15,000 before
being placed into use. The cost of the renovation work was
capitalized, and Jake’s Computer Sale and Repair signed a note

payable for the full amount.
Notes payable are dated June 1, 20x1, totaling $195,000. The
notes are payable over 10 years at an annual interest rate of 6
percent. The principal is to be repaid in equal annual
installments of $19,500 each. Interest and principal payments
are scheduled for June 1 each year, from 20x1 to 2x11.
Requirement 1
a. Journalize the issuance of the long-term note payable.
Date
Debit
Credit
6/1/x1
To record long-term note payable
b. Compute the interest accrued on the long-term notes payable
at December 31, 20x1.

b. Journalize the accrual of interest at December 31, 20x1.
Date
Debit
Credit
12/31/x1
To accrue interest on long-term note payable
c. Make the entry necessary at December 31, 20x1, to
reclassify the first principal installment on the note payable as
the current portion of the long-term notes payable.
Date
Debit
Credit
12/31/x1

AC1220 ACCOUNTING I
Lab 5.3
1
d. Enter the correct amounts into the shaded cells of the
following partial balance sheet dated December 31, 20x1:
In the Income Statement for the Year Ended
Dec. 31, 20x1
In the Balance Sheet at Dec. 31, 20x1
Expenses
Current Liabilities
Interest Expense
Current Portion of Long-Term Notes Payable
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-Term Notes Payable
Requirement 2

Jake is considering raising additional cash by issuing $100,000
in bonds with a stated interest rate of 6 percent and a maturity
of 10 years.
a. Compute the annual interest payment on the bonds
payable.
b. Compute the present value of the bonds if the market
interest rate is 8 percent. To compute the present value of the
bonds, you can use the present value tables in Appendices B-1
and B-2 of your textbook, or you can set up the following
formulas using Microsoft Excel:
c. Would these bonds be issued at a discount or at a
premium? Explain.
d. Compute the bond discount or premium.
e. Journalize the issue of the bonds.
Date

Debit
Credit
6/1/x1
f. Compute the amount by which the discount or premium
would be amortized in each period, assuming straight-line
amortization.
AC1220 Lab 5.2
Introduction
On July 25, 20x1, Jake’s Computer Sales and Repair enters into
an agreement with Inner-Tech, a local computer software
development firm. Inner-Tech pays Jake’s Computer Sales and
Repair $45,000 in advance for ongoing computer repair

services. At year-end, Jake determines that $38,500 of this
amount has been earned.
Requirement 1
a. Journalize the unearned revenue transaction on July 25, 20x1.
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
Jul 25
To record unearned revenue
b. Journalize the necessary adjustment for December 31, 20x1.
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
Dec 31

To adjust unearned revenue
Requirement 2
Analysis shows that around 2 percent of A-line sales require
after-sale repairs. Beginning July 1, 20x1, Jake’s Computer
Sales and Repair provides customers with a limited product
warranty on each A-line computer sold. Sales of A-line
computers total to $74,500 in July 20x1.
a. Compute the estimated warranty expense payable amount.
b. Journalize the estimated warrantee expense.
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
Jul 31

To accrue warranty payable
c. Actual repairs made during August 20x1 to products under
warranty results in cash expenditures of $800. Journalize the
warranty repair cost.
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
Aug 30
To accrue warranty payable

d. At what amount is warranty expense reported on the income
statement for the month ended August 20x1?
Requirement 3
Jake’s Computer Sales and Repair has one employee, Dave, who
earns a monthly gross salary of $3,415 for the month of August
20x1. So far, in 20x1, Dave has earned a gross salary amounting
to $23,905.
Jake’s Computer Sales and Repair withholds the following
amounts from Dave’s gross salary:
· Social Security taxes and Medicare taxes—Federal Insurance
Contributions Act (FICA)—at 7.65 percent of gross salary up to
$106,800
· Income tax withheld: 10 percent
· Other amounts withheld:
· Health insurance: $200 per month
· Retirement plan contribution: $400 per pay period
· Charitable contribution: $20 per pay period
AC1220 ACCOUNTING I
Lab 5.2
1
a. Compute Dave’s net salary by completing the following table:

Gross pay:
Less withholding deductions:
Income tax
Employee FICA tax
Health insurance
Employee retirement contribution
Employee charitable contribution
Net pay
b. Journalize salaries, payroll taxes, and benefits payable. In
addition, journalize the salary payment.
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
Aug 31

To record salaries payable
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
31

To record payment of salary
c. As Dave’s employer, Jake’s Computer Sales and Repair must
also make a payroll tax payment. Journalize the entry to record
employer payroll taxes.
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
Aug 31

To record employer payroll taxes
DATE
DEBIT
CREDIT
Aug 31
To record payment of payroll taxes to government
d. Journalize the payment of taxes to the federal government.

Project Part 2: Using Accounting Information for Decision
Making
City Rides, a proprietorship engaged in the sale of mopeds to
the public, completes its second year of operations on December
31, 20x3.
Task 1:
a. Adjusted trial balance amounts from the books of City
Rides are listed below, for the two years ended December 31,
20x3:
Account
At Dec. 20x3
At Dec 20x2
DEBIT
CREDIT
DEBIT
CREDIT
Cash
$21,030
$19,020
Accounts Receivable
18,500
12,000
Prepaid Rent

1,800
1,600
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
$100
-
Supplies
500
120
Inventory
21,250
15,720
Office Equipment
2,700
1,800
Truck
15,000
-
900
360
Accumulated Depreciation—Truck

1,500
-
Accounts Payable
4,150
5,850
Current portion of Long-Term Note Payable
5,000
-
Long-Term Note Payable
20,000
-
Capital—Harris
45,000
45,000
Withdraws—Harris
2,500
2,500
Sales Revenue
25,800
16,500
Sales Return and Allowances
800

Cost of Goods Sold
15,450
11,040
Wages Expense
3,600
1,800
Rent Expense
800
800
540
360
Depreciation Expense—Truck
1,500
-
Utilities Expense
550
650
Supplies Expense
250
300

Uncollectible Accounts Expense
80
-
$106,850
$106,850
$67,710
$67,710
Use the above adjusted trial balance amounts to complete the
financial statements below by filling in the shaded cells:
City Rides
Income Statement
For the Two Years Ended December, 20x3
20x3
20x2
Sales Revenue
Net Sales Revenue
Gross profit

Less: operating expenses:
Net Income
City Rides
For the Year Ended December, 20x3
20x3
20x2
Beginning Capital

AC1220 ACCOUNTING I
Project Part 2
Page 1
City Rides
Balance Sheet
At December 31, 20x3, 20x2
Assets
Liabilities
20x3
20x2
20x3
20x2
Current Assets
Current Liabilities

$19,020
$5,850
12,000
-
-
Total Current Liabilities
$9,150
$5,850
12,000
1,600

120
-
15,720
Total Liabilities
$29,150
$5,850
Total Current Assets
$59,580
$48,460
Plant Assets
Owner’s Equity
1,800
$45,000
(360)
Total Owner’s Equity
$45,730

$45,000
Total Plant Assets
Total Assets
$49,900
Total Liabilities and Equity
$50,850
b. The Financial Statements of Extreme Scooter, a direct
competitor of City Rides, are presented below. The two
businesses have similar operations. Compare the financial
statements of City Rides and Extreme Scooter and refer to these
statements as you complete the tasks that follow
Extreme Scooter
Income Statement
For the Two Years Ended December, 20x3
20x3
20x2

Net Sales Revenue
30,400
22,500
Less: Cost of Goods Sold
(19,500)
(14,400)
Gross profit
10,900
8,100
Less: operating expenses:
(7,700)
(5,700)
Net Income
$3,200
$2,400
Extreme Scooter
For the Year Ended December, 20x3
20x3
20x2
Beginning Capital
$55,000
$ -
Add: additional capital
-
57,600
Net Income (Loss)
3,200
2,400
Less: Drawing, Harris

(20,200)
(5,000)
$38,000
$55,000
Extreme Scooter
Balance Sheet
At December 31, 20x3, 20x2
Assets
Liabilities
20x3
20x2
20x3
20x2
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Cash
$4,550
$14,600
Accounts Payable
$22,800
$500
Accounts Receivable, Net
44,500
40,000
Wages Payable
1,200
2,500
Prepaid Expenses

2,200
3,500
Total Current Liabilities
$24,000
$3,000
Supplies
450
400
Inventory
24,000
5,500
Total Current Assets
$75,700
$64,000
Long-Term Note Payable
20,000
12,000
Total Liabilities
$44,000
$15,000

Plant Assets
Owner’s Equity
Office Equipment
7,400
6,500
Capital, Drew
$38,000
$55,000
Less: Accumulated Depreciation-Office Equipment
(1,100)
(500)
Total Owner’s Equity
$38,000
$55,000
Total Plant Assets
$6,300
$6,000
Total Assets
$82,000
$70,000
Total Liabilities and Equity
$82,000
$70,000
Task 2
a. Compare the trend in net sales for City Rides and Extreme
Scooter. Which business has the larger net sales in dollar
terms?

b. Compare the ending capital account balances of City Rides
and Extreme Scooter. Compute the dollar increase or decrease
in ending capital balance for each business. Suggest a reason for
the large change in ending capital of Extreme Scooter.
c. Compare inventory balances of City Rides and Extreme
Scooter. Which business tends to have more inventories on hand
at the end of any given year? Mention one advantage and one
disadvantage of keeping large amounts of inventory on hand.
d. Compare the accounts receivable balances of City Rides
and Extreme Scooter. Which business tends to sell more on
account? Mention one disadvantage associated with sales on
account.

Task 2
Compute the following accounting ratios for the year ended
December 31, 20x3, for City Rides and for Extreme Scooters (a
business that is comparable to City Rides). Refer to the
appendix below for the necessary formulae and page references.
Accounting Ratio
City Rides
Extreme Scooter
20x3
20x2
20x3
20x2
Current Ratio
Debt Ratio
Gross Profit Percentage
Day’s Sales in Receivables

Task 3
Imagine that you are an accountant who reports to the senior
commercial loan officer of a regional bank, Ms. Heather
Coldwell. Coldwell is deciding which of two loan applications
to approve and is having trouble doing so because the two
applicants have very similar business operations and both meet
the bank’s minimum lending standards. The first is an
application for a $25,000 bank loan to City Rides, and the
second is an application for a $25,000 bank loan to Extreme
Scooters. Your job is to compare and analyze the financial
health of City Rides and Extreme Scooter based on their
financial statements. You will summarize your findings and
final recommendation in a memorandum (“memo”) addressed to
Ms. Coldwell. Based on your memorandum, Ms. Caldwell will
approve one loan and deny the other.
Complete the memo on the following pages. Divide your memo
into the following sections:
Introduction
Briefly outline the purpose of the memo, mentioning the names
of the businesses analyzed.
Accounting Ratios
Explain each of the ratios computed in Task 2 above, and
indicate whether the ratio is:
· Favorable or unfavorable for each business
· Showing an improving or deteriorating trend over time
Financial Statements

Summarize the answers you provided to the questions in Task 1
here.
Recommendation
Recommend which business you believe should receive the bank
loan. Justify your recommendation by referring back to at least
one key issue raised in the body of the memo.
The memo should not exceed 2 pages. Use 11 point Arial font,
double-spaced. Spelling and grammar counts!
TO: Ms. H. Caldwell, Senior Loan Officer
FROM: _____________________, Staff Accountant
DATE: January 5, 20x4
SUBJECT: Financial Statement Analysis and Loan
Recommendation
Appendix: Accounting Ratios
Current Ratio (pp.214)
Debt Ratio (pp.214)
Gross Profit Percentage (pp.274)
Day’s Sales in Receivables (pp. 424)

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