This document outlines the assignments, discussion questions, and final paper for POL 201 Entire Course: Ashford University. It includes assignments on the basic principles of the US Constitution, civil liberties and national security, the roles and relationships between levels of government, the Supreme Court process, the electoral college, the media, and policies addressing the 2008 economic crisis and environmental policy. Students are asked to discuss and analyze these various topics related to American government and politics.

1. POL 201 Entire Course: Ashford University:
New Updated Course
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POL 201 Week 1 DQ1
Week 1 DQ1
Basic Principles of the Constitution.
The U.S. Constitution is founded on three basic principles: Federalism, Separation of Powers,
and Checks and Balances. Discuss which principle you believe is the most valuable principle for
American democracy to be successful. Provide an example of how that principle has been used
successfully to provide for or protect American values.
POL 201 Week 1 DQ2
Week 1 DQ2
The Constitution.
The U.S. Constitution is considered a “living document” because it can be amended as new
issues arise or public opinions change. Using the Internet, identify a constitutional amendment
currently being proposed by a member of Congress. Identify the Congressmen, the proposed
amendment, why it is being proposed and what you believe are the chances that it will be passed.
POL 201 Week 2 Assignment Securing America and Protecting Civil Liberties
Securing America and Protecting Civil Liberties.
Write a persuasive essay providing a position on the current debate since 9/11/2001 regarding the
restriction of civil liberties as stated in the Bill of Rights in order to protect American citizens
from terrorist organizations. Interpret how the First and Fourth Amendments have been changed
since the implementation of the USA Patriot Act. Critique whether you believe the restrictions in
civil liberties violate the underlying principles of American democracy or are a necessary
measure in protecting citizens. In addition, explain whether you believe the use of torture, such
as “water-boarding”, violates the constitution.

2. POL 201 Week 2 DQ1
Week 2 DQ1
Visit Your Congressman Virtually.
Go to the United States House of Representatives website and research for your Congressional
representative by entering your zip code in the “Find Your Representatives” block. Select your
Congressman and then visit your Congressman’s official website. Identify those issues your
Congressman emphasizes on his or her website. Explain why you believe those issues are given
priority on your Congressman’s website based on what you have learned from your study of the
U.S. Congress and as a constituent of your Congressman’s district.
POL 201 Week 2 DQ2
Week 2 DQ2
Modern Challenges Presented by Federalism.
Recently, federalism has been challenged by the economic downturn of 2008-2009 and the
response to Hurricane Katrina. In each of these cases, local and state governments called on
federal government for aid and in both situations the federal government was blamed for local
problems. Explain how modern federalism works effectively in a complex, networked world.
What changes would you make to improve the relationship between different levels of
government? Do you believe we need multiple levels of government in the modern world? How
does technology enhance or complicate the relationships between these different levels of
government?
POL 201 Week 3 DQ1
Week 3 DQ1
Public Opinion and the Presidency.
Visit page 290 in American Government and observe the chart under “Analyzing Visuals”.
Examine the line graph, which shows the public approval rating of the last four presidents.
Choose two presidents and interpret the high and low ratings for the presidents you selected.
Compare the ratings of the two presidents and identify the reasons you believe each president
was receiving high or low ratings. Why do you believe they were receiving low ratings? High
ratings? What similarities and differences do you see between these two presidents and the
reasons they were receiving high or low public approval ratings?
POL 201 Week 3 DQ2
Week 3 DQ2

3. Process of the Supreme Court.
Watch the Supreme Court Video series Part 1-3:
a. SCOTUS Video Part 1
b. SCOTUS Video Part 2
c. SCOTUS Video Part 3
Based on the information in the videos above and the readings from the textbook, identify what
you think is a strength and a weakness of the Supreme Court process. Explain why you selected
your strength and weakness and any ramifications you believe there are based on the weakness
you selected.
POL 201 Week 4 DQ1
Week 4 DQ1
Electoral College.
Take the Electoral College Quiz. Having learned about the Electoral College, describe whether
you believe the United States should keep the Electoral College system when electing its
President or should it instead use the popular vote as the measure for electing the President?
Explain why you support one system over the other.
POL 201 Week 4 DQ2
Week 4 DQ2
The Media.
The Media is often referred to as the “Fourth Branch of Government” acting as a non-
governmental check and balance to the other three branches. Recently, the media has come under
criticism for not thoroughly scrutinizing government actions in order to secure access to public
figures and subsequently get guaranteed coverage for portraying political figures favorably.
Explain whether or not you believe the modern media is an effective check on government
action. Do you believe their effectiveness has improved or declined in recent history and what
you believe the reasons might be for this change in performance?
POL 201 Week 5 Assignment Final Paper Economic Crisis
Write a research paper outlining the root causes of the 2008-2009 Economic Crisis and the
policies implemented by key actors responsible for rescuing the U.S. Economy.
1. Use valid academic sources to illustrate the proximate causes for the massive downturn of the

4. U.S. economy.
2. Identify the responsibility, constitutional authority, and the policy opinion of the current
holders of the key positions below in crafting policy for repairing the U.S. economy.
a. Key Actors for identification:
b. President
c. Congress
d. Secretary of the Treasury
e. Chairman of the Federal Reserve
3. Third, outline how these actors have changed monetary policy, fiscal policy, and laws
governing businesses since the collapse of the economy.
4. Critique what you believe to be the strengths and weaknesses of these policy changes and
provide your opinion on whether these policy changes have been/will be successful in their
attempt to rebuild the economy.
*Restrict you sources to major newspapers, magazines, news outlets, and professional journals.
POL 201 Week 5 DQ1
Week 5 DQ1
Environmental Policy in the Era of Global Warming.
Recent years have shown an increased interest on the part of Interest Groups to curb carbon
dioxide emissions as some evidence points to this as a significant contributing factor to global
warming. Other businesses, interest groups, and lobbyists have campaigned against any
legislation that would restrict emissions to include the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations.
Discuss the pros and cons of restricting carbon dioxide emissions. State your opinion as to
whether the U.S. should support regulation such as the Kyoto Protocol or cap-and-trade systems
for reducing emissions.
POL 201 Week 5 DQ2
Week 5 DQ2
Assessing the Bush Doctrine.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. foreign and defense policy undertook a
major shift under the administration of President Bush. The Bush administration created and
executed a policy of preemptive military action against any threat deemed imminent to the
security of the U.S. (Commonly referred to as the “Bush Doctrine”) This policy was used as
justification for invading Iraq in 2003, which was believed to possess Weapons of Mass
Destruction and accused of harboring international terrorists. Discuss whether you believe the
U.S. should follow such a foreign policy. What are the costs of preemptive military action? What
are the costs associated with not preempting threats to U.S. national security? Do you believe
such a policy makes the U.S. and its citizens more or less secure?