Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________________
Overview: For this project, students will be working in groups to complete a study of public policy in
the United States. The project will be completed during class, and will culminate with a power point
presentation to the class.
Procedure: Each group will randomly select a public policy issue that faces the government today.
These issues include: Gun Control, Affirmative Action, the Environment, Welfare reform, Education,
Health Care, Energy Sources, Abortion, the Death Penalty, Gay Marriage/Rights, Stem Cell Research,
Immigration, and Social Security.
Presentation:
Groups will put together a presentation to give to the class on their project. The PowerPoint
presentation must include:
1. A definition of the public policy issue the group researched.
a. What is the issue?
b. Give a brief history of the issue (When did it first come to light? How as it progressed
over time?)
c. What is the problem with the current policy?
d. Why is this issue currently of public interest?
2. What the government has done lately to address the issue? (Approximately the last 10 years)
3. What do Democrats think the best policy for the future is and why?
4. What do Republicans think the best policy for the future is and why?
(This part should encourage others in the class to be able to draw their own opinions on the
matter, not convince them that what you think is right. If it is done well, this part of the project
will encourage your classmates to ask questions and respond to politicians’ ideas)
Grading:
This project will be a group grade (100 points). Your group will be graded on cooperation and
teamwork during class (20 pts), the clarity of your PowerPoint presentation (30 pts), the oral
presentation to class (20 pts), and obviously the information itself (30 pts). Groups will lose points if
they do not work together during the class time to complete their project.
Research Hints:
Valuable information for this project can be found in several key locations. Both the Democratic and
Republican Parties have their own websites with lots of policy information. President Obama has policy
proposals on his website. Lastly, Newsweek and other reputable magazines often have feature articles
on these issues.