CSUDH – ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CJA 423
Research Project Assignment
The system of government in the United States is comprised of local, state, and federal
levels. Each level has its own elected officials. Each level of government has various branches
including an executive branch which runs government departments (considered administrative
law agencies), as well as a legislative branch which has legislative and budgetary oversight of
these same departments.
For purposes of this research project:
1) You will need to select one level of government and identify a specific department with which
you have an issue, problem, or concern. You must then identify the legislative branch elected
official with oversight of the department or agency; and based on your own home address you
will hypothetically seek assistance from this elected official. Typically:
– for city issues, you select a city councilmember;
– for county issues, you would select a county supervisor;
– for state issues, you would select either a state Assembly member or state Senator;
– for federal issues, you would select a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Do not select an appointed department head or the like. The general rule for this assignment is
that official must be one who is voted into office. Not appointed into office. If you address the
letter to anyone other than an elected official in the legislative branch, then you will lose major
points and possibly not receive a passing grade for the assignment. Also, do not write the letter
to any executive branch member nor to any judicial branch member, or you will lose major
points for the assignment.
2) You will assume the role of a constituent seeking help with your particular situation.
Alternatively, you may also seek a policy or statutory change. Your problem,issue, or concern, is
precisely what you will address to the elected official in the form of an advocacy letter seeking
help or a solution of some type. You will also write a paper describing the problem, issue, or
concern. Finally, you will present your entire research project, including all elements, in the form
of a PowerPoint. Although this is an online course, you must prepare as if you were actually
presenting before an in-person audience or presenting the PPT as a “share screen”.
3) Specific graded components for this assignment include the following:
A. Advocacy letter
● Formal letter to the elected official in a legislative branch of government
● Adopt and follow a generally accepted business letter format.
● Write as if you are an actual constituent seeking assistance.
● 2 to 3 pages, using letterhead, greeting, signature line, etc.
B. PowerPoint should include:
● Presentation of the same major elements from your paper
● 7 to 10 slides
● Must include graphics
● Do not simply copy/paste/insert text from paper
● Convert findings from paper to visual presentation
● Be creative and keep it professional
C. The research paper shall include:
● Description of the problem, issue, or concern.
● Detailed explanation of the redress being sought, or the policy being proposed.
● Identification of the elected official, including a brief background of the official.
● Identification of the specific governmental agency or department with control.
● Analysis of why and how your elected official can influence the agency or
department to provide relief for your particular situation.
● 8 to 10 pages, APA style, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pts, 1” margins. Cover page
does not count toward minimum page count. Works cited or bibliography does not count toward
minimum page count. Do not insert more than half a page of graphics.
Final project must be uploaded separately as three individual files via Blackboard.
Uploading to incorrect file area will result in a 5% penalty.
Early uploads are highly recommended. No late submittals. No exceptions whatsoever.
Points for each portion of the assignment are listed in the course syllabus.
Note: This assignment guide is meant to complement the instructions provided by the Instructor,
including any BB discussion forum, etc. Students are required to read every post and answer
on BB in the discussion forum(s) where specific requirements will be clarified.