ASSIGNMENT 04
CJ320 American Constitutional Law
Directions: Be sure to save an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English, spelling, and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be four (4) double‐spaced pages; refer to the “Format Requirementsʺ page located at the beginning of this learning guide for specific format requirements.
Suppose you are part of a political organization that has taken the position that one of the ways to “fix Congress” is to impose term limits on members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Your initial research reflects that it will be necessary to amend the U.S. Constitution to accomplish this. Prepare a plan detailing how your organization will accomplish its goal. Include the following.
1. Provide two (2) reasons why amending the U.S. Constitution would be necessary versus passing a law. Include Marbury v. Madison and U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton.
2. In view of the canons of construction and interpretation, name and explain three (3) necessary elements that you must consider before drafting language to amend the U.S. Constitution.
3. List the two (2) primary paths you would pursue to amend the U.S. Constitution. Cite the applicable section(s) of the Constitution.
4. Explain the three branches of government including each branch’s authority and responsibility. How would your plan impact each branch?
Grading Rubric
Please refer to the rubric on the next page for the grading criteria for this assignment.
CATEGORYExemplarySatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryUnacceptable
15 points 12 points 8 points 5 points
Student provides a clear,
logical description of 2
reasons why amending the
U.S. Constitution would be
necessary rather than passing
a law.
Student provides a mostly
clear and logical description
of 2 reasons why amending
the U.S. Constitution would
be necessary rather than
passing a law.
Student provides a partially
clear and logical description
of 1 reason why amending
the U.S. Constitution would
be necessary rather than
passing a law.
Student provides a weak or
unclear description of at
least 1 reason why
amending the U.S.
Constitution would be
necessary rather than
passing a law.
20 points15 points10 points5 points
Student provides a clear
explanation of 3 necessary
elements to consider in any
proposed draft language to
amend the U.S. Constitution.
Student provides a mostly
clear explanation of 3
necessary elements to
consider in any proposed
draft language to amend the
U.S. Constitution.
Student provides a partially
clear explanation of at least
2 necessary elements to
consider in any proposed
draft language to amend
the U.S. Constitution.
Student provides a weak or
unclear explanation of at
least 1 necessary element
to consider in any
proposed draft language to
amend the U.S.
Constitution.
20 points15 points10 points5 points
Student provides a clear,
logical description of 2
primary paths he or she
would pursue to amend the
Constitution, citing the
applicable section(s) of the
Constitution.
Student provides a mostly
clear, logical description of 2
primary paths he or she
would pursue to amend the
Constitution, citing the
applicable section(s) of the
Constitution.
Student provides a partially
clear, logical description of
at least 1 primary path he or
she would pursue to amend
the Constitution, citing the
applicable section(s) of the
Constitution.
Student provides a weak or
unclear description of at
least 1 primary path he or
she would pursue to
amend the Constitution,
citing the applicable
section(s) of the
Constitution.
20 points15 points10 points5 points
Student provides a clear,
logical description of the
three branches of
government, including each
branch’s authority and
responsibility, and how the
plan would impact each.
Student provides a mostly
clear, logical description of
the three branches of
government, including each
branch’s authority and
responsibility, and how the
plan would impact each.
Student provides a partially
clear, logical description of
the three branches of
government, including each
branch’s authority and
responsibility, and how the
plan would impact each.
Student provides a weak or
unclear description of the
three branches of
government, including
each branch’s authority
and responsibility, and
how the plan would impact
each.
10 points 8 points 5 points 2 points
Student does not make any
errors in grammar or spelling,
especially those that distract
the reader from the content.
Student makes 1-2 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Student makes 3-4 errors in
grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the
content.
Student makes more than
4 errors in grammar or
spelling that distract the
reader from the content.
15 points 12 points 8 points 5 points
The paper is written in
proper APA and
organizational format. All
sources used for quotes and
facts are credible and cited
correctly. Excellent
organization, including a
variety of thoughtful
transitions.
The paper is written in
proper format with only 1-2
errors. All sources used for
quotes and facts are
credible, and most are cited
correctly. Adequate
organization includes a
variety of appropriate
transitions.
The paper is written in
proper format with only 3-5
errors. Most sources used
for quotes and facts are
credible and cited correctly.
Essay is poorly organized,
but may include a few
effective transitions.
The paper is not written in
proper format. Many
sources used for quotes
and facts are less than
credible (suspect) and/or
are not cited correctly.
Essay is disorganized and
does not include effective
transitions.
Format – APA
Format, Citations,
Organization,
Transitions (15
Points)
Reasons (15 Points)
Mechanics (10
Points)
Draft language (20
Points)
Paths (20 Points)
The three branches
of government and
how the plan would
impact each (20
Points)