Advanced Committees

Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a landmark event in the history of the National Security Council as well as a highlight for the success of diplomacy during the Cold War. President John F. Kennedy and his cabinet faced insurmountable pressure in molding a proper, peaceful, and effective response to the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.

FDR's First 100 Days
In Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first one hundred days, the President and his advisers developed policy to expediently and drastically impact American economic and social policy.  In the committee, students will be taking on the role of FDR's Cabinet and closest advisors, exploring theses policies (and creating some of their own) in an effort to mitigate the effects of the Great Depression. 

National Security Council
The National Security Council was established in 1947 under the National Security Act, as the forum for the Executive Office to address issues and create policy for domestic and international security.  In May 2009, President Obama merged the Council with the Office of Homeland Security to create the National Security Staff (NSS).  The Staff coordinates with other government agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and Congress to carry out its policies. 

Topics:
Mexico
North Korea

New York City Council
The New York City Mayors Office, currently under the direction of Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the executive branch of New York City Government.  The Office is unique in many ways, both in its level of involvement as a municipal government and the population that it serves. Whether it be dealing with zoning laws and public housing or water distribution and street cleaning, the New York City Government determines how the city's population is provided for, a difficult undertaking considering the city is home to 8,636,710 people.

Topics:
Schools
Housing

Student Lobbyists
The lobbyist corps at RMC is introduced to various interest groups and their impact on the policy process. Students study lobbying tactics that help to educate legislators about issues that are particularly important to their interest group, and then utilize those tactics in committees. Student Lobbyists will provide a new dynamic in committees through interacting with election campaigns and becoming an integral part of committee debate. In making presentations to the students about their groups, they provide information and opinions for individual legislators and committees to consider when debating issues.

United States Supreme Court
Article III, Section 1 of the United States Constitution created the Supreme Court. Through United States history, the Supreme Court has rendered opinions that have radically altered the country's course. With one chief justice and eight associate justices, all who hold life tenure after their appointment, the individuals that make up the Court are as important as the decisions themselves. With the strength and influence of the Court still growing, the Supreme Court has taken on divisive issues ranging from slavery and abortion to gay rights, civil liberties, first amendment freedoms, and recently campaign finance.

Topics:
Medellin v. Texas
Housing

The West Wing

The West Wing serves as the headquarters for the Office of the President, with all of the key policy makers working in one place.  Although some presidents may rely more heavily on the influence of the Office of the White House than others, each position’s task is specifically delegated in order to assure that each cog remains in place and well-oiled within the presidential machine.  The staffers of the West Wing carry an immense responsibility, as every possible issue relating to the executive branch goes through the Office of the President.  Through setting and enforcing policy, the West Wing is what makes the presidency work.