Discussion Board

Discussion Board Forum 1

For the discussion forum this week, answer the following question:

1. What theory of federalism (or, if using Wright’s classification system, IGR model) best represents the American intergovernmental system? Give at least 3 reasons to support your claim and contrast your choice with at least 2 other models/theories.


2. Remember to include at least 3 references to the course readings (Elazar, O’Toole) and 1 Scripture reference.

TIPS FOR THE DISCUSSION BOARD ASSIGNMENT

NOTE: These instructions do not take the place of the documents “Discussion Board Instructions” and “Discussion Board Rubric” that you can find in this week’s assignment materials. Below I would like to mention 1) format, 2) content, and 3) structure.

FORMAT & PROCEDURE

• Subject Line—Place your name in the Subject Line along with      the name of the assignment. For me, that would be "Student Name--Discussion      Board #1."


• Use Turabian Author-Date Style—As a doctoral student, work      toward expertise in formatting papers. Use the Turabian Author-Date style      for all assignments (See Chs. 18 & 19 in Turabian, 9th edition). The      Author-Date style uses the parenthetical (in-text) citations and has a      list of works at the end called “References” or “Sources Cited,” not “Bibliography.”      Turabian provides some information online at this website. Liberty University has an      excellent Turabian tutorial here. You can find a Chicago Manual of      Style "style guide" for political science here. Also,      contact me if you have Turabian questions. I am glad to assist.


• References—Place your reference list at the end of each      thread and at the end of each reply. Do not make a separate posting for      them. The reference list should be in alphabetical order.


• Word Count—Stay within the word limit. The reference list and      all citations do not count toward your number of words. Do not go under or      over the word limit. Going over the word limit just discourages others      from reading your thread and replies. Having too much material is a good      problem, but you must prioritize your content. So, delete what is of least      priority.


• Upload the Text, Not an Attachment—Do not upload an      attachment for the thread or reply. Either key in or cut-n-paste your text      into the text editor.
  
  
  
   

CONTENT—We're not giving you tests or exams in this class, but you are being tested. Each time you write, we are testing how well you have grasped the course materials by applying them in your thinking and writing. Most of us have a “pet topic” like guns, church/state, founding fathers, abortion, or the environment. For most people, they find a way to work that topic into their writings. That’s how I need you to treat these assigned materials; the content of your assigned reading needs to bleed out into your thread.

STRUCTURE

• For the Thread—Structure your thread like an essay with an      introduction (very short), main body, and conclusion (also very short).      Respond directly to the prompt provided for that week. Organize your essay      around responding to it. It’s a mistake to devise a thread of your own      imagination and hope to weave the prompt into your narrative as a      "theme."