Mock Policy Assignment Instructions: Mock Policy Activity #1 1. Brainstorm– To jumpstart your choice of a problem on which to focus your coursework, do several warmup exercises designed to put you in touch with what you care about and what you know about. The exercises ask you to become freshly aware of your everyday existence, ordinary routines, special expertise in any area, and perceptions of right and wrong. The idea is that, by acknowledging the taken-for-granted and stopping to notice the out-of-order, your attention will fall on a need for change that you are willing or prepared to argue about and perhaps act on. a. What you care about: Review your checkbook or credit card account record for the last three months. List your patterns of income and outgo. Connect the patterns to current societal or environmental issues that concern you or others. For example: you spend a lot on food, divided approximately equally between buying groceries to cook at home and buying meals at fast food restaurants. Therefore, as a consumer you might be concerned about food availability, safety, quality, affordability, healthy eating, dietary causes of disease, regulation of agriculture and food processing industries, etc. Which interests you most? If this exercise does not fit you, create an alternative exercise to raise consciousness of your commitments and values. b. What you know about: List activities in which you have expertise. They may be hobbies, academic majors, professions or trades, etc. What ‘wrong’ needs to be righted in area(s) of your competence? To continue with the example: You like to cook. Or, you have worked as a cook. Or, you majored in Restaurant and Hotel Management. Or, you manage a neighborhood bar. Or, you grew up on a farm. Or, you majored in Food Science. Or, a member of your family requires medication for food allergies. Or, you volunteer in a community food bank. Based on your informed experience or situational knowledge, what ‘wrong’ needs to be righted? Reviewing, listing, and reflecting in these ways should result in the identification of several interests and perceived ‘wrongs.’ Select one (or more) or each. Briefly describe in 100 words each. Include the experience or expertise that gives you cause for concern. Describe in a publicly appropriate way (without personal details you’d rather not share). Submit this response under the heading “Problem Identification.” 2. Inquire into meanings of ‘public interest’–Read the Wikipedia entry on that subject. Google ‘public interest’ and follow links. Report a resulting definition of ‘public interest’ that includes two or more dimensions or meanings. Add comment on what the term means to you. Submit your 200-word report under the heading “Public Interest.” Submit both activities as ONE (1) document. WRITER: PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THE TOPIC WILL BE BASED OFF MY ABSTRACT ON MINIMUM WAGE: THIS WILL BE WHAT I CARE ABOUT!! 2. Mock Policy Activities (20%) Mock policy activities during weeks 7 to 13 will cover a range of activities policymakers perform on a daily basis. There is NO MAKE-UP for the missed activities. Students must submit their mock policy assignments no later than Sunday nights at 11:59 p.m. CST via the Assignments section in Blackboard. The mock policy assignment with the lowest score will be dropped.