Identify a topic of interest to you (legal subject matter) at either the state, federal, or on both levels to explore and learn about using the different legal research tools that are covered in this course according to the attached format. The goal is to personalize the subject matter of the course and to develop your depth of knowledge about a current topic. This could also lead to you using this body of gathered research in future courses or for a Honors in the Major thesis. Below are examples of possible topics-

1) Whether immigration applicants can be denied citizenship for having worked as an employee of a state legalized marijuana grower or storefront (This is a federal question because states cannot grant citizenship rights to individuals)

2) Whether solitary confinement in prison is a form of torture that should be banned. ( This can be addressed at both the state and federal levels since incarceration is allowed)

3) Should grandparents have visitation rights with their grandchildren. (Domestic relations is a state issue unless there is a violation of the United States Constitution, i.e. same sex marriage)

There are a multitude of legal issues and topics for you to explore using the secondary resources that will be discussed in Chapter 3 and through the available library resources in the course on the toolbar.

RUBRIC FOR RESEARCH PORTFOLIO

Research Activity	Fifty (50) Points
1) Issue Statement on Identified Topic of Research in similar format to the sample issues above	Five (5) points
2) Summaries of Five (5) Identified Secondary Sources with proper citation format	Ten (10) points
3) Case Briefs using format on page 120 of the text of Five (5) Identified Primary Sources on chosen Issue with proper citation format	Ten (10) Points
4) Shepardized Summary as to the status of the Five (5) Primary Sources used as authority in (3) above	Five (5) points
5) Analysis/Synthesis of the Issue using the identified Primary and Secondary Sources above	Twenty (20) points