Political Party Project Directions

Create Your Own Political Party

Your assignment is to create a political party with a defined platform.

Creating the Political Party

Task #1: Platform (30 POINTS)

Build a political party platform reflecting a distinct political ideology for a federal election. Using your provided handouts comparing the 2 major political parties (and Libertarian party), you must choose at least 5 key issues to be the basis for your new party.  While you can utilize these handouts during class time, it is encouraged that you further research each issue on the internet in order to better understand each side’s concerns.  Some examples are listed below, but you can choose ANY 5 issues that you wish.

·         National Defense (Expand our military? Cut-back? Maintain?)

·         International Relations/Foreign Policy (Development projects/involvement with other countries or not?)

·         The Environment vs Energy (Which is more important?)

·         Health Care (All Americans should have health care? Privatization of health care?)

·         Economy (Government should create jobs OR Business should create jobs?)

·         Taxation (Increase taxes to support programs? Decrease to stimulate economy?)

Your party’s political platform must be typed (double spaced/12 point font) information organized under headings, and have a minimum of 350 words.  DO NOT copy and paste information directly from websites.  Any plagiarized information not written in YOUR OWN words will result in a grade of 0 and an integrity referral.

Task #2: Political Spectrum (20 POINTS)

Create a scale that shows where your party fits on the political spectrum. Your explanation should be at least 150 words and must outline how your party’s ideas fit the characteristics of one of the placements (left winged, center, right winged) on the spectrum. Draw a political spectrum and show your party’s placement by labeling it on the spectrum.

Task #3: Party Symbol (10 POINTS)

Choose a name and create a logo or symbol for your party reflecting your platform and policies on the different issues. You may choose an animal to represent a theme for your party. (Will be graded based on effort, creativity, and representation of platform & policies. Artistic ability will not be graded.  Must be drawn – no printed pictures.)

DUE DATES:

Monday, 4/27 (B-DAY)

Tuesday, 4/28 (A-DAY)

WORTH 60 POINTS

Political Party Grading Rubric

(To be turned in with your 3 completed tasks)

Name of the Political Party:

Name of Founder (Your Name):

	Level 1 Below Grade Level Expectations	Level 2 Approaching Grade Level Expectations	Level 3 Meets Grade Level Expectations	Level 4 Exceeds Grade Level Expectations
Platform (30 POINTS) Comments:	Weak use of written language and images. Errors distract from the product and interfere with meaning in some parts. Written products poorly apply the unit concepts. Followed almost none of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.	Satisfactory use of written language and images. Errors distract from the product but do not interfere with meaning. Written products adequately apply the unit concepts. Followed a few of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.	Clear use of written language and images. Errors do not take away from the impact of the project. Written products effectively apply the unit concepts. Followed majority of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.	Exceptional use of written language and images. Few or no errors. Written products expertly apply the unit concepts. Followed all of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.
Political Spectrum (20 POINTS) Comments:	Weak use of written language and images. Errors distract from the product and interfere with meaning in some parts. Written products poorly apply the unit concepts. Followed almost none of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.	Satisfactory use of written language and images. Errors distract from the product but do not interfere with meaning. Written products adequately apply the unit concepts. Followed a few of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.	Clear use of written language and images. Errors do not take away from the impact of the project. Written products effectively apply the unit concepts. Followed majority of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.	Exceptional use of written language and images. Few or no errors. Written products expertly apply the unit concepts. Followed all of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & word count.