The primary written assignment in this course will be a Research Paper that contrasts the differences or similarities between; how the Science of COVID-19 was manipulated as presented to the general public and how Politics/Politicians played a role both nationally and globally with respect to the COVID Pandemic.

The format for this particular assignment will be a Cause/Effect research paper. This type of paper traces the the probable or expected results from a specific action and answers the main questions of “What” and “Why”.

This type of research paper first identifies what happened and then develops a scenario in which you analyze the why of the response to the “what happened”.

With respect to the assignment for this course you should consider the following;

WHAT: We have experienced a global pandemic which we call the COVID-19 Global Pandemic Virus affecting all populations and all countries.

WHY:  The “why” is why has there been such a varied response on the part of our political leaders all over the world and in so many diverse countries? This is the body of your paper. The theme should be centered around how President Trump dealt with the COVID-19 infection beginning in January of 2020. You should analyze the response led by President Trump of the Federal Government to the COVID Pandemic in the USA. You may also discuss the response of various Governors and how it may have differed or was consistent with what President Trump was telling the American people about the virus. The research paper should discuss actions such as communication about the virus, orders or recommendations that the administration had proposed with respect to what the American people could do or not do, possible treatments the President was suggesting for the virus, problems that arose in the healthcare industry with respect to testing, necessary equipment that was in short supply etc. Your paper should cover those aforementioned areas as well as other actions, proposals or personal behaviors that President Trump had engaged in as well as the conflicting messages that were coming from the administrationand the science and medical advisors during the Pandemic of 2020.

When President Biden Was Elected (Jan., 2021): This section should discuss the changes that were made after Pres. Biden became the chief executive. You should also discuss any progress we have made in combating the virus and the Americans response to the implementation of rules and regulations on American society.

The paper should discuss how Politics/Politicians influence/manipulate or coerce our understanding of Science. The assignment should demonstrate the student’s basic understanding of the science of the COVID virus and the role that politics played in its worldwide dissemination and how at a national level various political leaders influenced, protected or in fact caused their citizens to be placed in a position of greater harm because of their leadership.  The paper must demonstrate the ability to apply scientific method principles and processes including an understanding of the science, impact of the science through application and demonstration in our daily life and consequences of political interpretation of the science. It is critical that the student develop these skills and knowledge to understand and interpret scientific information and the impact of science on their lives, the environment and society, so that the student is prepared for the 21stcentury.