POL 325 The American Congress & the Presidency Writing Assignment
For this assignment, you will write a thought piece on the following themes: Congressional and Presidential changes since 1787, improvements or changes to either institution, and proper roles each institution should play. You will then provide a thoughtful analysis and discussion of each theme.
Choose one (1) discussion topic. Institutional Changes Since 1787:
1. Congress
a. Compare and contrast the Framers’ thoughts on the role of Congress in 1787 and that of Congress today.
i. What role was Congress to play?
ii. What role does Congress play today?
iii. What caused these changes?
iv. Problems with both forms.
v. What trends do you see going forward?
b. If you had the chance to rewrite the Constitution and how Congress functions, what changes or improvements would you consider making?
c. Choose a current event of today that deals with the Congress and apply it to your discussion here.
2. The Presidency
a. Compare and contrast the Framers’ thoughts on the traditional and modern presidency.
i. What role was the president to play?
ii. What role does president play today?
iii. What caused these changes?
iv. Problems with both forms.
v. What trends do you see going forward?
b. If you had the chance to rewrite the Constitution and how the Presidency functions, what changes or improvements would you consider making?
c. Choose a current event of today that deals with the Presidency and apply it to your discussion here.
