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Module 3 – Case
CONGRESS, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND
THE JUDICIARY
Assignment Overview
Balance of Power and the War Powers Resolution
For this assignment, you will prepare a debate paper covering an
issue that involves the balance of power between the executive and
the legislative branches: The War Powers Resolution.
The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify
Congress when he or she sends troops into combat and requires
the president to withdraw them within 60 days if Congress does not
approve of the actions. The executive branch has never
acknowledged the constitutionality of this law.
Case Assignment
Step 1
Write a 3 to 4-page debate paper that address the following
scenario:
You are serving an internship with a candidate running for
Congress. She has asked you to help her prepare for a series of
debates over central topics facing the nation. In the first section of
the debate paper, you will provide the most powerful argument
possible in favor of one side of the debate, and then you will do the
same for the other side. Finally, you will write a critique of the side
of the issue with which you disagree.
Listen
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In the paper, you will debate whether the scope of the War Powers
Resolution should be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, which
has refused to hear challenges made by members of Congress to
force the president to abide by the law. When addressing this topic,
you must think carefully about the roles of all three branches of
government and about the processes that led to the passage of and
that support the current status of the War Powers Resolution. Your
candidate’s debates will take place before an audience of the
general public, so be sure to explain the roles of the three branches
of government and the current implications of the War Powers
Resolution clearly.
Step 2
Research the topic.
Being able to apply information-literacy skills in studying politics is
critical. Access the Internet to research and learn about the War
Powers Resolution and the debates surrounding it. Consider your
sources carefully when you research, keeping the following points
in mind:
Primary sources, such as government websites, will be more
informative and less subjective than secondary sources.
Check the reference lists or sources of any secondary online
source you find, such as a journal or newspaper article. Has the
author provided solid background for the opinions he or she
expresses?
Do not accept the opinions of any individual secondary source
without question. Consider the site where you found the source.
What is its primary purpose? Who is its intended audience?
Step 3
Write a paper in favor of current practices.
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Demonstrate that you can apply an understanding of government
processes to analyze contemporary politics. Begin by writing the
first part of the paper that argues in favor of the president taking
liberties with the War Powers Resolution. Make a case for why the
Supreme Court should not hear a challenge to this law.
Discuss how formal and informal processes result in public policy,
which is why the president should be free to interpret the War
Powers Resolution.
Defend the ways in which the current president and recent
presidents have interpreted the War Powers Resolution.
Support the idea that even though, as a rule, single individuals
should not have great impact on the political environment, the
president is an exception.
Step 4
Write a paper against current practices.
Now write a section of the paper that argues that the Supreme
Court should hear a challenge to the War Powers Resolution. Make
a case for why a president’s free interpretation of the War Powers
Resolution should be challenged.
Briefly explain the nature of the law at hand and the history and
processes leading up to its passage.
Clearly state why the scope of the law should be definitively
decided and how the historical development of the United States
affects such contemporary political decisions.
Explain how the Supreme Court interacts with Congress and
elaborate on how this interaction (or lack of interaction) explains the
processes of government.
Discuss the idea that the president is one individual and, as such,
should not have such an impact on the political environment.
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Step 5
Write a critique.
Now that you have made a strong argument for each side, critique
or challenge the argument with which you disagree. Address its
strongest points and explain why you disagree with that view.
Step 6
In summary, be sure to include the following:
1. An argument for maintaining current practices
2. An argument for changing current practices
3. A critique of the side with which you disagree
Proofread and save your work.
Assignment Expectations
Use concepts from the background readings as well as any
academic resources you can find (Wikipedia-type sources are not
acceptable). Please be sure to cite your sources within the text and
provide a reference page at the end of your paper.
Length: 4 to 5 pages, double-spaced and typed using 12 Point
Times New Roman font.
The following items will be assessed in particular:
Your ability to apply the basic concepts to the questions.
Some in-text references to the background readings (APA
formatting not required).
The essay should address each element of the assignment.
Remember to support your answers with solid references
including the background readings.
