Public Policy
Choose a Topic
Try browsing these reliable sources to find topic ideas
Off campus, you will need to login to access this database (Off Campus Access)
- Issue overview
Background Information:
These sites provide good overview articles.
Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL). If prompted to enter a password, find the password for Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) on this document: Passwords for Home Access.
TIP: Read the Introduction and Overview sections for assignment #1.
Off campus, you will need to login to access this database (Off Campus Access)
TIP: Find the overview article on the start page for most topics listed to complete assignment #1.
TIP: Use the article that appears at the beginning of each topic page to complete assignment #1.
World Book Encyclopedia
Current News Stories:
TIP: Find the overview article on the start page for most topics listed to complete assignment #1.
We have a subscription to WSJ. The password is listed on this document: Passwords for Home Access
Quality Sources
Lateral Reading: This is a technique to determine how reliable a website's publisher might be.
Assignment #2: Annotated Timeline
CQ Researcher. Look for the Chronology section for this assignment. Passwords for Home Access.
Search online for timelines related to your topic.
Laws
Federal Legislation: https://www.congress.gov/
FindLaw: https://public.findlaw.com/ (This is a good, free resource for legal information)
Executive Orders
Court Cases
Citing Laws
State Senate Bills (e.g.)
Wisconsin State, Legislature. Senate Bill 5. Wisconsin State Legislature, 20 Jan. 2017, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2017/related/proposals/sb5.
Assignment #3: Statistics and Opinion Polls
CQ Researcher. Look for the Maps/Graphs section. Passwords for Home Access.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context. After completing your search, limit the results to the "Statistics" and/or "Infographics" content type:
Assignment #4: Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups List: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/interest-groups
In a full CQ Researcher report on your topic, look for the "Contacts" link on the left-hand side to identify interest groups.
Use the following sources to make sure your interest group isn't completely off the charts in terms of their perspective or bias.
Search your organization to learn more about their bias and perspective.
Wikipedia is a great source to do some initial digging about your interest group. While you can't cite it as a source in your project, it's a great tool to decide to use something or not.
Other Sources to Determine Bias
These are great for determining bias of news sources
Final Presentation
Find Images
Photos for Class: This is my favorite because it adds the caption to the photo for you!
Pixabay: This is another favorite of mine.
Google Image Search: Use search tool, and choose non-commercial reuse with modification.
Wikimedia Commons (sound files also)
