Political Party Project

Below are the updated directions and rubric for the "Create your own Political Party" project.  It is worth a total of 40 points, and will be due on Wednesday, 9/28 (A-DAY), and Thursday, 9/29 (B-DAY).  

Create Your Own Political Party

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

SS.7.C.2.8 - Identify America's current political parties, and illustrate their ideas about government.

SS.7.C.2.9 - Evaluate candidates for political office by analyzing their qualifications, experience, issue-based platforms, debates, and political ads.

SS.7.C.2.13 - Examine multiple perspectives on public and current issues.

Creating the Political Party

Task #1: Research Notes (5 POINTS) & Party Platform (25 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 & independent internet research, 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

·         International Relations/Foreign Policy

·         Environment

·         Energy

·         Health Care

·         Economy

·         Taxation

Your party’s political platform must be typed (double spaced/12 point font) information organized under headings, and must be a minimum of one page.  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.

Task #2: 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, object or place to represent a theme for your party.  If the association between your symbol and platform is not clearly evident, provide a short explanation on the back of your symbol describing the connection.  (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:

Wednesday, 9/28 (A-DAY)

Thursday, 9/29 (B-DAY)

WORTH 40 POINTS

Political Party Grading Rubric

(To be turned in with your 2 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
Party Platform & Research Notes (30 POINTS) Comments:	Weak use of written language. 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, & page length.	Satisfactory use of written language. 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, & page length.	Clear use of written language. 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, & page length.	Exceptional use of written language. Few or no errors. Written products expertly apply the unit concepts. Followed all of the directions, including font, spacing, headings, & page length.
Party Symbol       (10 POINTS) Comments:	Symbol does not represent political party OR there is no evidence of explanation of connection between the symbol and party. No evidence of effort put into creation of symbol. Followed almost none of the directions.	Symbol barely represents political party OR there is little evidence of explanation of connection between the symbol and party. Evidence of little effort put into creation of symbol. Followed a few of the directions.	Symbol mostly represents political party OR there is evidence of explanation of connection between the symbol and party. Evidence of some effort put into creation of symbol. Followed majority of the directions.	Symbol clearly represents political party OR there is a clear explanation of connection between the symbol and party. Clear amount of effort and dedication applied to creation of symbol. Followed all of the directions