Ashford 2: – Week 1 – Discussion 1

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Reference the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Separation   of Powers/Checks and Balances

 For much of 2011 and 2012, public dissatisfaction with Congress rose to all time highs, with 70-80% expressing disapproval with how Congress does its job. Many commentators note that Americans are fed up with Washington “grid-lock” that makes government apparently unable to address important problems. Other observers believe that the national government is acting according to its design, based on separation of powers and checks and balances.
 

Before writing your initial post, review the assigned resources. To easily access the resources from the Ashford University Library, please see the table located in the Course Materials section.
 

In your initial post of at least 200-250 words, analyze how the U.S. Constitution implements separation of powers and checks and balances. Briefly explain why the constitutional framers based the new government on these ideas. Evaluate how separation of powers and checks and balances are working out in practice, today, justifying your assessment with persuasive reasoning and examples.
 

Fully respond to all parts of the question. Write in your own words. Support your position with APA citations to two or more of the assigned resources required for this discussion. Please be sure that you demonstrate understanding of these resources, integrate them into your argument, and cite them properly.
 

By Day 7, respond to at least two of your classmates’ initial posts. Your peer responses each must be at least 75 words. They must demonstrate critical thinking (e.g., ask a relevant question about your peer’s post while explaining why your question is significant, or state a perspective that contrasts with your peer’s while explaining or justifying your position).
 

The Ashford Writing Center (AWC)  has two kinds of tutoring available to you.

• Live Chat – If you have writing-related      questions about a topic before you draft a discussion post or submit a      written assignment, you will now be able to chat live with a tutor for a      short (up to 20 minute) conversation. Live Chat will be available Monday      through Friday from 10:00-11:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm (PST). AWC Live Chat
• Email Paper Review – If you have a draft, partial      draft, or even if you’re having trouble getting started, you can complete      a submission form and email your paper to the AWC for review. 
  • Writing Tutors will do their       best to return your paper with their comments within 48 hours, not       including Saturdays and Sundays. Please plan accordingly if you would like       to receive feedback before an assignment due date. AWC Email Paper       Review