Letter of Concern

Assignment: This assignment requires that you write a mock letter to any one of the two United States (U.S.) Congressional senators representing Texas (find out who they are) or any U.S Congressional representative that conveys and analyzes your concerns about a national issue. This analysis must be specific and address all items in the rubric. A general letter stating an issue and your position will not receive points. The letter is to demonstrate your competency in the learning outcomes and core objectives for this course.

The Letter of Concern will demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate by developing and writing an executive summary that identifies, integrates, critically analyzes and makes recommendations for a solution to an issue that is based on considering the origins, facts, processes, inputs (public opinion, interest groups, political parties and the intercultural communities they serve) and the ethical consequences for the issue and recommendations. The grader through the rubric should be able to specifically identify each learning outcome and core objective that you have addressed in your letter.
Address the following criteria for the letter you will write. Research the issue and find a constitutional solution to the problem and develop an ethical strategy(ies) that can be used to help implement your policy solution.

1. Identify and analyze either a civil liberties, civil rights, or foreign or domestic (social/economic) policy issue or controversy. (SLO 8; CT, SR, PR)
2. Demonstrate why this why this is a national issue and not a state issue. (SLO 2; CS)
3. Explain how this issue is related to the how it relates to the constitutional foundations, amendments of the U.S. Bill of Rights. (SLO 1; CS)
4. Evaluate how different people in our society may be affected by the specific issue. What is the public’s as well as certain groups like interest groups and political parties’ opinion on the matter? (SLO 5;CT, SR)
5. Identify the branch of the government responsible for that policy issue and if there is part of any other branch that could also be implicated in the matter. (SLO 3 and SLO 4; CS)
6. Discuss your constitutional solution to the problem and develop an ethical strategy(ies) that can be used to help implement your policy solution. (CT, CS, SR, PR)
7. Analyze how your action you may take regarding this issue may impact the election process and discuss how the congressional leader’s stance on the issue might impact how you vote in the next election. (SLO 6; CT, CS, SR)
8. Conclude the letter with why this is a right and responsibility to address this letter to your representative in Congress. (SLO 7; CS, PR)

PLAGIARISM: Anytime you copy something word for word or simply rephrasing or 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.
• You will upload your letter to Canvas.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) met with this activity:

1. Explain the origin & development of constitutional democracy in the U.S.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, & judicial branches of the federal

Letter Organization:

1. Start out by putting the date on the letter.
2. Then put the address of your selected U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative.
3. Start the letter with the proper salutation (Example: Dear Senator (Last name) or Representative (Last name).
4. Make sure to clearly state the reason for your concern for the issue in your letter.
5. Make sure that you fulfill the criteria listed at the beginning of this handout.
6. Make sure to point out your relationship to the legislator, for example, if you are their constituent.
7. At the end of the letter, place your name, signature and address.

Format:

1. 12-point
2. Times New Roman
3. Single spaced
4. Minimum 1000 words, maximum 1100 words
5. At the bottom of your letter you should include your name and city.