Posted: February 28th, 2023

Position Paper Assignment

The assignment and topics are in the files attached

Criminal JusticeHomeland Security

CJUS 380

Position Paper: Defense of Weakest Position on Threat Issue Assignment Instructions

Overview

The purpose of the Position Papers is to provide a well-reasoned support for a Homeland Security threat issue and explain the rationale for both sides of that position. The “Threat” issue is something that is within the legal jurisdiction of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. The security of the homeland cannot be undertaken unless and until the threat(s) has (have) been identified and assessed. This may be ANYTHING that threatens the government structure, the people, our national resources, our economy, our values, our culture, or the “American way of life” (as long as it is the responsibility of the DHS to deal with that issue. Abortion, drug addiction, Global warming, world hunger, Green energy, etc. may be the biggest problems we face in your opinion, but if they are NOT within the jurisdiction of the DHS, don’t go there.)

Instructions

· There is no minimum nor maximum number of words, pages, etc. As such, you are required to defend your position with facts and logic.

· Format of assignment: APA

· Number of citations: 3 relevant, credible sources must be used.

At a minimum, the following sections are required:

·
Problem Statement – a brief paragraph identifying the issue(s), with a specific problem statement. (Develop a clear and concise problem statement – three to five sentences.)

·
Review of Literature – this heading should have at least two subheadings (Background of Problem and Supporting Evidence). Since this is a review of the literature, adequate citations should be included within each subheading.
You do not need to include opposing positions in this assignment. We will address this in the final assignment.

·
Conclusion – This is NOT “mere opinion”. Provide a conclusion that is supportable from the facts given, and then make recommendations and possible courses of action. Citations may be used here to support your recommendations.

SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENTS WITH EVIDENCE:

The information provided must be based on a strong foundation of facts. As such, you must provide evidence from credible academic and scholarly sources. By now, you should have firmly in your mind the difference between a conclusion and “mere opinion”. A conclusion is the result of a process of reason, and the application of relevant evidence. Evidence consists of court cases, historical example, scripture (correctly applied) and scholarly articles. Remember, peer-reviewed articles are best. You will select a topic, define, refine, and limit your issue. Based upon the feedback from
Position Paper: Defense of Weakest Position on Threat Issue Assignment, you will be better prepared to fully engage the issue in
Position Paper: Defense of Strongest Position on Threat Issue Assignment. After you have defended both sides of an issue, you will have a much keener appreciation for the complexities of the challenges of Homeland Security.

Review the
Position Paper: Topic Ideas document found in the Learn section of Module 4: Week 4. After choosing your topic, define, refine, and limit your issue. REMEMBER: an “issue” as we are using that term in this assignment, is something of a moral, legal, philosophical, or religious basis that can be debated at least two ways. NOT an “issue” for purposes of these position papers is (1) failures of response in past disasters, (2) budget shortfalls, or (3) chemical weapons should be banned, etc. You are first supporting the weakest position (which is NOT the one you may personally favor) but you will still do your best to bring the best evidence in support of that “side”.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

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CJUS 380

Position Paper: Topic Ideas

What is an acceptable “issue” for purposes of this assignment? It is something fundamental in the institution and/or application of Homeland Security. It is an issue that falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is consistent with the learning objectives of this course. The issue you choose will be something that addresses or assesses a threat to the security of the Homeland. It is a philosophical, legal, tactical, or spiritual principle that supports one more or policy elements or otherwise influences Homeland Security Operations.

Some GOOD topic ideas are (just suggestions):

1. Immigration policy should place highest priority on security (The threat is to [1] health, [2] economy, [3] social stability, [4] cultural homogeneity, [5] the election process, [6] destruction of all social “safety net” programs that so many Americans rely on. )

2. Executive Orders are NOT constitutional and may threaten the balance of power in government (The threat is to the constitutional foundations of self-governance and the balance of power.)

3. Technology should be employed in anti-terrorism policy and practice (the threat is to personal liberty).

4. Building codes and zoning laws should be made and enforced at the federal level (If that were to happen, the threat would be to [1] balance of power and self-governance, and [2] local autonomy, and [3] corruption of the process of managing growth in every municipality.)

5. Islam is not a religion, but a political system, thus not constitutionally protected (the threat lies in failure to understand that Islam is a political system that is incompatible with our constitution)

6. Using U.S. military overseas for anti-terrorism efforts is an effective policy (The threat lies in becoming over-extended, or creating more ill-will between the U.S. and out allies).

7. The USA Patriot Act violates fundamental constitutional principles (the threat is to the balance of power between the people and the government).
These are just a few ideas to get you started thinking. Every one of these topics describes a threat to our national identity and/or our national security. Contact the instructor if you have a question about a topic.

Some BAD (or weak) topic ideas are:

1. We need better communications to help stop terrorism (this an “operational” consideration which can be solved without government management or interference. It is also largely a matter of the private sector being able to meet a market need)

2. We need more money to fund counter-terror operations.  A dangerous proposition because people already are predisposed to believe that any problem can be solved by throwing more federal (taxpayer) dollars at it.  Furthermore, the more “government” spends money on something, the less efficient it  becomes (as a rule).

3. Hurricane Katrina was a failure of federal government policy/practice. (Hurricane Katrina is a great example of failed government at every level.  But again, that is an “operational” set of issues that can be (and mostly HAVE BEEN) solved by following the post-operational debriefings and  following those recommendations.   NOT an “issue” of continuing National Security.)

4. Chemical/biological weapons should be banned. (This is pretty hard to argue against. Therefore, it is not a “debatable” issue that involves a threat to our system of government or national security.)
 I suggest that you select the “weakest” position (side) for the issue that you select as the first paper.  The SECOND Position Paper is worth 250 points, so I am really looking for your strongest arguments, best evidence, best analysis, and most supportable conclusions from the SECOND Paper.  Think of competitive swimmer who approaches the end of the first lap and flips, using the pool edge to push away from.  That push gives power for the next leg.   Use your first paper to “push” against.   If you build your first argument right, then it will be easier to “push against it” for your stronger, Position Paper II (worth a lot more points). It is much easier to defend a position that you actually believe in.

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