**Note: This is an example assignment asking students to research on climate change policy. The assignment could easily be adapted for a number of other policy issues or elections at different scales (local, state, federal; judicial branch, legislative branch, executive branch, etc.).

Purpose:

Many college students indicate that they are interested in voting, but don't always have time to research the issues and candidates' stances on the issues. This assignment is intended to help you think about climate change and how policy impacts the future.

What do congressional candidates in your home district say about climate change in their website and promotional materials? For this assignment, you will use your information literacy and critical thinking skills to collect and analyze information about climate change and/or energy policies of your elected representatives and congressional candidates.

Tasks:

1.) Locate your congressional district using the following website: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members. (If you do not have a permanent residence in the United States, use your campus address as your congressional district.)

a.) What is your congressional district? (List the state and number)

b.) Describe the geographical area that is part of your district. (Example: Metro Atlanta from Buckhead to Stockbridge or South Carolina Low Country, including Charleston and the coast)

2.) Use Ballotpedia to research the names of the 2020 US House of Representatives candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/Elections#2020_election_coverage_by_office

You will find this information linked by office, or you can scroll down to search elections by state.

a.) Find the name of your current representative, their political party affiliation, website, and information on their climate change, energy, and environmental policies. Summarize these in a table.

b.) Find the names of all candidates for the 2020 election in your district. After you determine who is running in your district in 2020, find their campaign websites and summarize in the table.

3.) To what extent do you think the candidates are well informed about climate change?

a.) How many of the candidates in your district explicitly describe climate change as a part of their campaign platform? How many candidates made not mention of it?

b.) Consider the scenarios and issues we have discussed in class. Based on their campaign statements, would any of the candidates help your district move toward effectively reducing emissions? Which ones? Why or why not?

Example table for part 2:

Candidate name	Political party affiliation	Campaign website address	Policy on climate change	Policy on energy and/or environmental issues
Current office holder:
Candidates for 2020:
1.
2.
(add more rows as necessary)

Criteria:

Your grading criteria go here. Suggest: half of the points are for items 1 & 2 and half of the points are for item 3, which requires more analysis and critical thinking.

Bonus:

Send a letter to your current elected congressperson or to a candidate who is running for election. The letter must be:

Professional
Centered on climate change policy
A request for an action, such as a voice of support for their current climate change or energy policy, sharing specific policies with which you agree, or a request for a change of climate change or energy policy based on evidence that you provide.

To receive extra credit, you must turn in a copy of your letter to the office holder/candidate and a copy of their response back to you. The response letter may be simply an automated response saying something like “thank you for your submission” or it might be a personal response to your letter. Any response from the candidate or elected official is acceptable.