Candidate Research Project
Students will choose a local or national candidate and analyze the candidate's positions in light of the seven themes of Catholic social teaching and the issue areas emphasized in the Bishop's statement.
Objectives
- To learn for oneself the complexity of addressing issues raised in the political arena from a perspective of faith.
- To develop methods of critically examining public policy issues from the perspective of Catholic teaching.
- To challenge others to examine their choices in a campaign in light of Catholic social teaching and the Bishop's statement on Faithful Citizenship.
Assignment
- Working in groups of 2-4 students, each group will select a local or national candidate.
- Students will research five major issues raised by the candidate, including the reasons behind their positions.
- Students will then analyze each position in light of the Bishop's statement and Catholic social teaching.
- Each student group will have one 20 minute session in which to present their findings.
- Students are required to use a combination of the following methods in order to present effectively:
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- Oral lecture
- Student generated handouts
- Student generated visual aids
- References to current and relevant written works on the candidate
- Contemporary media presentation of the candidate (commercials, campaign literature, etc.)
- Facilitated class discussion
- Student will create a chart listing the candidate's position on the issues and the Catholic stance on the issue.