This assignment requires that you write a letter to either an elected Texas state senator or Texas state representative serving in the Texas Legislature-not the U.S. Congressional representatives from Texas serving in Washington D.C.; a member of the Texas plural executive; or a local elected official leader (county or local level). The letter should discuss and analyze your concern about an issue, policy or the political culture in the State of Texas; a county in Texas; or a local community in Texas. Make sure you first identify who holds the elected position so you may focus the letter to that elected official. A general letter stating an issue, your position and a recommendation will not receive points. The letter is to demonstrate your competency in the learning outcomes and core objectives for this Texas Government course. You need to be specific in addressing each of the 12 items (8 learning outcomes and 4 core objectives) identified in the rubric.
The Letter of Concern should demonstrate your knowledge of Texas Government. Make sure you weave in all of the eight learning objectives and all of the four core objectives into the letter. This is the basis of your grade (rubric). The letter should show your ability to effectively communicate by developing and writing an executive summary that identifies, integrates, critically analyzes an issue and makes recommendations for a solution to an issue. The grader using the rubric should be able to specifically identify each learning outcome (8) and each core objective (4).
Letter Organization:
Start out by putting the date on the letter.
Then put the address of your selected Texas leader.
Start the letter with the proper salutation, for example: Dear Senator (Last Name) or Representative (Last name) or Honorable Judge, Mayor, etc. (name).
Make sure to clearly state the reason for your concern in your letter.
Make sure that you fulfill the criteria in the rubric (8 learning outcomes and 4 core objectives).
Make sure to point out your relationship to the recipient of the letter, for example, if you are their constituent.
At the end of the letter, place your name, signature and address.
Below is a more detailed potential outline for your letter (Signature Assignment Worksheet) and to address each item in the rubric. Research the issue and find a solution to the problem and develop an ethical strategy(ies) that can be used to help implement your policy solution.
Identify and analyze either an issue, policy or the political culture of Texas. (SLO 8; CT, SR, PR)
Demonstrate why this is a state or local issue and not a national issue (who has the power and why). Show you understand the relationship between state and federal governments. (SLO 2; CS)
Explain how this is related to the origin and development of the Texas constitution. (SLO 1; CS)
Evaluate how different people in our society may be affected by the specific issue, policy or the political culture of Texas. What is the public’s (public opinion) , related interest groups and political parties’ opinion on the matter? (SLO 5; CT, SR)
Identify the branch of the government responsible for this and how other branches may be involved. Show you understand the power of each branch (legislative, plural executive and judiciary) of Texas government and how they provide a check and balance other branches of Texas Government. (SLO 3 and SLO 4; CS)
Discuss your solution to the problem and develop an ethical strategy(ies) that can be used to help implement your solution. (CT, CS, SR, PR)
Analyze how this issue and actions you and the recipient of the letter may take may impact the election process. Include discussing how the identified leader’s position might impact how the vote in the next election. (SLO 6: CT, SR)
Conclude the letter with why this is a right and responsibility to address this letter to your identified member of the Texas plural executive, member of the Texas legislature, county or local government elected leader. (SLO 7, PR)
The following are databases are also guides for organizational formatting of how to write an elected official. It is not the required assignments. Remember you must weave into your letter points that address the learning outcomes and core objectives.
https://www.apa.org/advocacy/guide/letter-email
(Links to an external site.)
https://www.soils.org/files/science-policy/activities/sample-email-nomorecuts.pdf
(Links to an external site.)
Format:
12-point
Times New Roman
Single spaced
Minimum 1000 words, maximum 1100 words
At the bottom of your letter you should include your name and city.
PLAGIARISM: Anytime you copy something word for word or simply rephrasing or it is not your original work for this class (you or someone else created this work or has submitted this work for this or another class). You must cite your source according to APA formatting. If you use someone else’s words and ideas without citing them you are committing plagiarism. You will receive a 0 for plagiarism.
Due Date: August 05, 11:59pm
You will upload your letter to Canvas
Student Learning Outcomes you must include in your assignment and that are met with this activity:
Explain the origin & development of the Texas Constitution
Demonstrate state & local political systems & their relationship with the federal government.
Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, & judicial branches of the Texas government.
Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
Analyze the state & local election process.
Identify the rights & responsibilities of citizens.
Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
Core Objectives you must include in your assignment and are met with this activity:
Critical Thinking Skills (CT): To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Communication Skills (CS): To include the effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
Personal Responsibility (PR): To include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Social Responsibility (SR): To include demonstration of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility and to engage effectively in regional, national, and/or global communities.
Grading: Will be based on the rubric.
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