United States Homeland Security

In the 21^st Century

Webquest by Mr. Rudin

Dewitt Clinton High School

Social Studies Dept

Introduction

The attack by Terrorists on 9/11/2001 on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the United States Defense Department in Washington, D.C., and an attempted attack on the White House caused a radical change in the United States government’s approach to issues dealing with national security. President Bush with the approval of congress created a special agency to deal with Terrorism in the 21^st century called The Department of Homeland Security.

Task

You have been asked to serve in a dual role; first as a public policy analyst for a think tank organization and second as a responsible citizen and independent voter. As a Public Policy Analyst you will make recommendations based on current data gathered through internet research relating to the role of the agency and assess its current effectiveness. As a responsible citizen and voter you will

choose one of the main Presidential Candidates, George W. Bush,

John Kerry, or Ralph Nader and explain why their Homeland Security policy is best for the nation.

Process

1. You will be placed in a cooperative learning group of five. You will

research the problem using the internet, write a paper, and make an oral presentation. Your group’s paper must be typed, double spaced, and be three to five pages in length. (It must be in your own words-you may not simply down load an article and submit it as your own.) Before submitting the paper, your group will summarize its findings

in a five minute presentation to the class. In your group you will choose a group leader who will direct the research project and assign

specific tasks to other members of the group. These jobs include two recorders (who will write down research findings ) and two presenters (who will present findings to the class)

2. To do the research, your group will follow the six step Tips Public Policy Analyst as outlined below.

A. Tips Public Policy Analyist

You will identify the problem using the following tips worksheet:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/Plegal/Tips/worksheet1.dochttp://www.maxwell.syr.edu/Plegal/Tips/worksheet1.

B. You will prove that the problem exists, by gathering evidence(internet data) place your findings on the following worksheet

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/Plegal/Tips /worksheet2.doc

C. Next you will determine the causes of the problem and place your findings on the following worksheet:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/Plegal/Tips/worksheet3.doc

D. You will then evaluate existing public policies dealing with

Homeland Security in the United States?

How effective are these current policies? Answer this question on the following worksheet

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/Plegal Tips/worksheet4.doc

E. Next, you will choose the best Presidential candidates policy to address the problem or develop your own.

How is my group’s policy more effective than present U.S. government

Policy on Homeland Security? Write your findings on the following worksheet .

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/Plegal Tips/worksheet5.doc

F. Finally you will select the best solution, which most likely will be a

combination of all the Presidential Candidates proposals on Homeland Security.

G. Present your Homeland Security policy and your group recommendations.

H. How has President George W. Bush”s policy of antiterrorism (military invasion of Iraq) either helped or hurt Homeland Security in the United States?:

Using the information from your research paper and study you will complete your five minute presentation and written paper.

Use the following websites to help you in your research project.

www.georgebush.com

www.johnKerry.com

www.RalphNader.com

www.HomelandSecurity.com

www.washington.com

www.unknowncountry.com

EVALUATION:

Presentation Rubric

Name: ________________________

Teacher: Mr. Rudin

Date of Presentation: ____________

Title of Work: ___________________

Criteria

Points

	1	2	3	4
Organization	Audience cannot understand presentation because there is no sequence of information.	Audience has difficulty following presentation because student jumps around.	Student presents information in logical sequence which audience can follow.	Student presents information in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow.	____
Content Knowledge	Student does not have grasp of information; student cannot answer questions about subject. Students are not familiar with PPA	Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions related to PPA	Student is at ease with content and PPA, but fails to elaborate.	Student demonstrates full knowledge of PPA (more than required)with explanations and elaboration.	____
Visuals	Student used no visuals.	Student occasional used visuals that rarely support text and presentation.	Visuals related to text and presentation.	Student used visuals to reinforce screen text and presentation.	____
Mechanics	Student's presentation had four or more spelling errors and/or grammatical errors.	Presentation had three misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	Presentation has no more than two misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.	____
Delivery	Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for students in the back of class to hear.	Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation.	Student's voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly.	Student used a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms.	____
				Total---->	____

Summary

Through out this webquest you will have prepared a written report and a verbal presentation explaining the role of homeland Security in the 21^st century in the United States and evaluate the effectiveness of this new government agency in combating Terrorism. You will also have selected the best plan for homeland security as proposed by the major Presidential Candidates, Bush, Kerry, and Nader.