Argumentative Essay

Argumentative Essay

Due: November 27, 2020 by the beginning of class at 1:00 p.m. All assignments should be in Word preferably or PDF allowing for comments. Upload your assignments to Moodle under the Home Tab and the corresponding Assignment.

Late Penalty: -10% per day. If you are granted an extension due to illness, your paper must be submitted with a doctor’s note. Such request for extension must be requested prior to the deadline.

Citation style: Turabian (Chicago style), MLA or APA. Give page numbers for all citations.

Assignment description:

Essays should make an academic argument of 7-8 pages long, and no more than 10 pages, standard margins, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font. Endnotes and Bibliography may be on additional pages. The essay must develop a scholarly argument, demonstrating the ability to draw together ideas from a number of academic sources, and to construct a case based upon a consideration of the relevant evidence.

Essays must make good use of at least 5 academic sources other than or in addition to course texts (see ‘Bibliography’, above).

For help with term paper writing, attend class, drop by my office hours, and/or consult the Library resources.

Essay topics:

1. Overall, has the Charter of Rights been positive or negative in Canada. Has it given too much power to individual judges to influence or shape Canadian politics? Is it anti-democratic? Should the Charter s. 33 (the notwithstanding clause) be used?

2. Do we need electoral reform in Canada or in British Columbia? Discuss electoral reform.

3. In 2015, there was a new party elected to power. Looking back at the previous government, what were the pros and cons of the Conservative government and/or its policies. Discuss, focussing on 1-3 important issues, together with the evidence. Examples of issues might include the Conservative government’s handling of the economy, its foreign policy, etc. [You should not say how you voted. Only make an evaluation of the government.]

4. In 2015, there was a new party elected to power. Looking back at the current government, what were the pros and cons of the Liberal government and/or its policies. Discuss, focussing on 1-3 important issues, together with the evidence. Examples of issues might include the Liberal government’s handling of the economy, fiscal responsibility, electoral system, reform, its foreign policy, etc. [You should not say how you voted. Only make an evaluation of the government.]

5. Do we need Senate reform? If so, what should it be, what are the pros and cons to that reform proposal, and what are the obstacles to change?

6. Would you like to see reforms to the current practices of Canadian parliamentary government and responsible government, for example to make it more democratic, or do you believe the current practices strike a good balance? Discuss both sides of the issue. Also, discuss whether you think individual Members of Parliament should have a greater role and what that greater role might be. (Notes: I have already chosen it.)