Foreign Policy Research and Policy

9th Grade Civics

Pick topics

• Russia/Ukraine/Crimea• Al Qaeda• ISIS• Spying CIA/NSA (Domestic/international,

heads of state)• Global Climate Change• Oil

Research your topic

• Find minimum of 6 articles • Critically read articles• Highlight Key Ideas

Stakeholders

• Who is involved?• What do they want?• How do they relate to eachother?• What groups/alliances are involved (NATO,

UN, Al Qaeda…)?• 1 page-bullet points are OK• Start MLA Works Cited Page (4 sources)

Summery of the Issue

• Background- what are the main causes of the problem?

• Detailed History of the issue• Outline and describe possible solutions: what are

some solutions that others are proposing? Whose ideas?

• Critiques? (Bullet points ok)• Describe roadblocks to progress: what is stopping

progress on this issue? (Bullet Points)• 2 pages

Quotes

• Gather 5 quotes that relate to your FP issuei. Who said it?ii. What power do they have?iii. What perspective is displayed?iv. What does this quote tell you about the

problem?

Numbers and Statistics

• Finds 5 numbers or statistics that relate to your FP problemI. What does the number describe?II. What does this number tell us about your

problem?

Geographic Facts

• Describe 4 ways that geography impacts your situation

• Remember the 5 themes of geography

Background Paragraph

• Note cards• Research techniques (prepare of Sophomore

Research Project)

Gather Opinions (Peers)

• Describe the situation to other students/parents/teachers and solicit opinions

• 5 interviews (3 adults)• Summarize their perspectives• 1-2 paragraphs

Realpolitik vs. Idealism

• Use both philosophies to analyze your issue• One paragraph each

Create your own solution (policy/treaty)

• In the form of a persuasive essay (2-3 pages, MLA works cited, peer editing process)

• Intro• Thesis (policy proposal)• Background/causes (connect to thesis)• Stakeholders (connect to thesis)• Explanation of how your solution will work• Conclusion

i. Idealist: how is it good?ii. Realpolitik: how is it good for us?

Congressional soirees (signatures)

• Due Mid-May

Devils Advocate

• Read someone else’s paper • Ask 6 questions (make them defend their

proposal)• Come up with and opposing argument/policy

Senate Committee’s (Persuade other committee members of

your proposal)

• Committee debatesi. Day 1- introsii. Day 2- attack ideasiii. Late May

• In-Class debatesi. One ide per committeeii. Everybody in the

committee speaksiii. Must ask a

question/make a comment from the floor

iv. First week of June