Before you write your research paper topic proposal, read this helpful information. Then review the Research Paper Assignment on the syllabus to be sure you are gathering the correct sources. Before you begin brainstorming about topics, remember that your final product will be judged on how well you succeed in producing a well thought out, clear paper which shows you can interpret and intelligently discuss the issue and how well you can back-up your findings with evidence. If you can’t find sufficient sources you may have to rethink your subject. If you are taking a course in your major this semester, you can research a topic for that course (with my permission and the other professor’s.) See me about the submission form.

When finding sources, avoid “old “stuff,” such as McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Magill’s Survey of Science: Life Science Series, Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology, American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine. Encyclopedias should not be your main sources, but can give you good background information and clarify concepts.

Approach: Your paper does not have a chance to be substantive unless you have substantive sources. Out of the 3 to 5 you find for your proposal, you should have viable Internet sites including professional journal articles and professional publications, and possibly (but not required) an interview. It is a balancing act to find sources that you can understand – that relate to your level of study in your discipline, and, at the same time, challenge you intellectually.   Be prepared at all times to show me your sources. Keep good notes.  Be sure you have records on  the title of the article, the title of the journal, the author/s names, date of publication, page numbers and other information required on your reference page and in your in-text citation, plus the key points from the source.  Identify whether you are paraphrasing or quoting.]

Below is the format for your Research Paper Proposal. I must approve your topic and sources. Fortunately, most students do their own work. For anyone tempted to pass off someone else’s work as his or her own, I am a sophisticated user of the Internet and can easily spot papers gotten from paper mills, Internet or otherwise. Please do not jeopardize your college career or your grade in this class by using papers that are not written by you.]

Here is a Proposal Template. Your actual document should be between 1and 2 pages and submitted as a word.doc via email to me.

PAD 520 ASSIGNMENT 1

Assignment 1: Argument Mapping
Due Week 3 and worth 150 points

Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:
(Note: Refer to Demonstration Exercise 3 located at the end of Chapter 1 for criteria 1-3.)
1.    Create an argument map based on the influence diagram presented in Case 1.3 and complete all the criteria provided in the exercise, beginning with this claim: “The U.S. should return to the 55- mph speed limit in order to conserve fuel and save lives.” 
2.    Include in the map as many warrants, backings, objections, and rebuttals as possible.
3.    Assume that the original qualifier was certainly; indicate whether the qualifier changes as we move from a simple, static, uncontested argument to a complex, dynamic and contested argument.
(Note: Refer to Demonstration Exercise 3 located at the end of Chapter 8 for criterion 4.)
4.    Apply the argument mapping procedures presented in Chapter 8 to analyze the pros and cons (or strengths and weaknesses) of the recommendations that the United States should not intervene in the Balkans.
(Note: Refer to Demonstration Exercise 4 located at the end of Chapter 8 for criteria 5-7.)
5.    Write a one (1) page analysis that uses critical thinking to assess the overall plausibility of the claim: “The conflict in Bosnia is somebody else’s trouble. The U.S. should not intervene militarily.”
6.    Complete an argument map to illustrate your analysis.
7.    Include at least two (2) peer-reviewed references (no more than five [5] years old) from material outside the textbook to support your views. Note: Appropriate peer-reviewed references include scholarly articles and governmental Websites. Do not use open source Websites such as Wikipedia, Sparknotes.com, Ask.com, and similar Websites are not acceptable resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
•    Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
•    Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
•    Use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Draw, PowerPoint, or other graphics program to create the arguments maps for the assignment. Whichever program you use, the graphical maps must be integrated into the Word Document and labeled as a Figure with a number and title. The argument maps are part of the page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
•    Analyze the historical context, basic concepts, strategies, and / or models of public policy.
•    Examine the nature, characteristics, models, and / or methods pertinent to the structuring of policy problems.
•    Examine the process of policy argument development.
•    Use technology and information resources to research issues in policy analysis and program evaluation.
•    Write clearly and concisely about policy analysis and program evaluation using proper writing mechanics.

NOTE: PLEASE USE AS A GUIDE OR REWRITE TO MAKE YOURS

Leadership of Richard Branson

Due Week 10 and worth 360 points

Using the Internet or Strayer University databases, research the leadership style and characteristics of Richard Branson, Virgin Group.

Write a six to seven (6) page paper in which you:

1. Assess the key elements of Richard Branson’s leadership style and the impact that those elements have had on his business success. Provide support for your rationale.
2. Given that The Virgin Group has been described as a fast-growing entrepreneurial company with many facets to the group, suggest how the unique aspects of Richard Branson’s leadership style mesh successfully with the particular attributes of a multifaceted organization like Virgin.
3. Determine two (2) key ways in which Richard Branson is likely to motivate employees in order to achieve his goals for the Virginia Group. Indicate whether or not his approach is likely to work in a different organizational setting. Provide support for your rationale.
4. Assess the effectiveness of Richard Branson’s ability to articulate and communicate his vision for his company to employees and other stakeholders. Provide support for your rationale.
5. Assume that you have received a job offer to be a manager within the Virgin Group. Determine the criteria you would use to evaluate whether Richard Branson’s leadership style is a good fit for you as a manager and what conclusion you may draw about working under this type of leader.
6. Take a position on whether or not you believe Richard Branson is a global leader. Justify your position and provide support for your justification.
7. Predict Richard Branson’s success as a leader over the next five (5) years. Support your prediction.
8. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.  

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

Prepare: Prior to beginning work on this week’s journal, read chapters 8, 9, and 10 in American Government, watch the video, Episode II – It’s a Free Country, review the Week Four Instructor Guidance, and review your results from the Political Typology Quiz.

Reflect: Political parties mobilize voters to win elections and implement policy goals. Parties use their stated policy goals (i.e., their platforms) as a way to mobilize voter support. Generally, in order to be successful in a two-party system, parties must have policy goals across a broad range of issue areas to appeal to a broad range of voters.

Write: Think about a specificissue or policy that you are interested in and/or that has impacted you personally. Use the assigned resources that are provided for this journal to gather information about the goals and proposals, in that issue area, of three U.S. political parties – the Democratic and Republican parties and a third party. For the journal, write about the following two ideas: Where do the three political parties (Republican, Democrat, and your choice of a third party) currently stand on this issue? Do they have national support? Explain your rationale.

Thinking about your own Political Ideology that we discussed in the introduction discussion, which party’s stance on the issue you selected is closest to your own? Which is the furthest from your ideals? Why?

For example, if you are a “Steadfast Conservative,” what do the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and a third party have to say about your position on taxation? If you are a “Solid Liberal,” what do Democrats, Republicans, and a third party say about your views on environmental issues? Who is the closest? Furthest away? Why?

Your journal response must be a minimum one page, double-spaced. Justify your conclusions with facts and persuasive reasoning. Fully respond to all parts of the question and write your response in your own words.  Outside research and references are not required for journal assignments, but if you choose to utilize outside sources they must be correctly cited utilizing APA format both within the body of your journal and include a full reference page.