For example, say this is what I did for my topic proposal:
EXAMPLE 1:
Topic: ISIS
Diagnosis: Too broad! There is waaaayyy too much to write about when it comes to ISIS. It would be too daunting to look at ISIS as a whole.
To help me focus my topic, I would answer these questions:
- What specifically about X (i.e. ISIS) do I want to explore?
- What is going on regarding X (ISIS) right now? What is the news saying about X? What are some new developments regarding X? New concerns? New issues?
Say to yourself: Okay, it's great that I want to look at something regarding ISIS, but what specifically about ISIS do I want to explore?
Next step: I do some research (like you are doing) and even look on Wikipedia and do a quick Google search, and then I come up with a specific question that will guide my research:
Specific question: What is the U.S.'s involvement in tightening its borders due to recent terrorist attacks?
·
THEN, after doing research on that specific question (which you will continue to research next week), my claim will most likely answer the question:
Claim question: “Should the U.S. tighten its borders due to recent terrorist attacks?”
Finally, my claim will be either: "Yes because x, y and z." OR "No because x, y and z."
(Note: This is a very simple claim. Do not worry about the claim just yet. I am trying to show you the evolution of my thinking.)
Want another example? Here we go...
EXAMPLE #2:
Topic: Death Penalty
What about the death penalty?
Avoid arguing “Should the death penalty be legal?”
After doing some quick research on the death penalty, this is what I found from Yahoo News:
· In Georgia, an inmate was recently executed on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. Records from previous executions show the legal drug generally starts flowing within a minute or two when a warden leaves the execution room. A newspaper reporter was allowed to be in the room when the inmate was strapped to the gurney and the IV lines were placed. The reporter noted how nurses appeared to have trouble placing the needle in his left arm, and the process took about an hour, which is longer than usual. He was the fifth inmate executed this year in Georgia, which is the most executions the state has carried out in a calendar year since 1987.
Specific question: Is Georgia’s current method of the death penalty inhumane and does it need to be changed?
Claim: Yes/No because x, y and z.
Third time's the charm...
EXAMPLE #3:
Topic: Police Shootings
Specific Question: What can be done to support police but at the same time protect citizens' rights so they are not violated during police/pedestrian interactions?
Potential Claim: All police should have to wear body cameras as part of their uniform.
Last example :)...
Example #4:
Topic: Steroids in Baseball
Controversy: Currently there has been much controversy surrounding steroids in baseball. From Roger Clemens’ vehement denials to the congressional hearings, it seems that every sports show or sports page in the nation is addressing this controversy. For this paper I plan to study this issue; I will be looking at the controversy from multiple points of view: the players’, coaches’, media, and fans’ perspectives.
Specific Question: Is there any place for anabolic steroids in professional sports?
Claim: There is no place for anabolic steroids in professional sports.
So, after all of this, what's the assignment??
Due Monday, December 14th
- Post on the blog the following (in this format):
- Your Topic: ____________________
- Controversy: In 2-3 sentences, write why this is so controversial and why it's a topic that needs to be looked at right now.
- Specific question(s) that will guide your research: ________________
(Example #4 is a good model to help you)
Once you post to the blog, we will spend some time in class looking at one another's topics and we'll help one another with them next week.
GOOD LUCK! I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW YOUR THINKING HAS EVOLVED!
Post on the blog the following (in this format):
ReplyDeleteYour Topic: Global Warming
Controversy: Global warming is slowly deteriorating our planet, it's estimated that within a decade our planet will be so affected by Global warming no amount of “being green” can counter the effects. Global warming is a huge issue and is only getting worse.
Specific question(s) that will guide your research: What can help reverse this? What is causing this? What's the government doing?
This is an important topic to discuss. Make sure that your questions are debatable so you can include the counter argument.
DeleteTopic: Death Penalty Cost
ReplyDeleteControversy: Numerous articles have cited Maryland, stating that cases that call for an execution cost about $2 million more per case than cases that don't call for an execution. This eludes to how costly the death penalty is. Since 1978 in California, the cost of the death penalty has totaled over $4 billion. This has people questioning whether or not the death penalty fiscally makes sense.
Specific Questions: Are there any cases where the Death Penalty has saved money?
Would a hard core death penalty state like Texas ever change their policy?
In Maryland, has this raised cost been a result of the execution itself, or just numerous trials.
Potential Claim: It seems as if we are spending a lot of taxpayer dollars on a controversial topic that those taxpayers may not even agree on.
Mat- this looks awesome! http://time.com/deathpenalty/ is a really good source for history of the death penalty- including graphs and other visual aids! I think you should focous on one question more- i really like the first question. and maybe a breakdown of where the costs are encoured (trials, time on death row, actual execution. I am also curious why the big transfer from hanging to lethal injection. Has the price of the injection caused more people to die on death row?
Delete*Matt
DeleteTopic: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
ReplyDeleteControversy: Should it be legalized or not. Certain countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands have legalized it, but is it moral enough for the majority of counties to legalize it? It is essentially taking a person's life instead of allowing them to die through nature's preferred course.
Specific Questions: Which cases would require euthanasia and which would not? How much pain would the patient need to be in to be accepted for it? How would physicians know how much pain the patient is in and if it meets the standards of the law?
This is a topic that has always intrigued me, but we never seem to hear much about it. I would suggest doing some research on why countries like Belgium and the Netherlands have legalized it, and why most people in the United States don't use that same reasoning.
DeleteWhen trying to answer your questions regarding the amount of pain the patient would need to be in, consider using the standards that Belgium and the Netherlands uses as a benchmark. Here is a link that I think could help you form an opinion:
http://www.npr.org/2014/11/20/365509889/debate-should-physician-assisted-suicide-be-legal
Here's a video that can help. Maybe focus on just the U.S. rather than all countries? That could get to be too much work. http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/VideosDetailsPage/VideosDetailsWindow?total=4&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Videos&limiter=AC+y&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=1&displayGroups=&sortBy=relevance%2Cdescending&source=fullList&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=GALE%7C00000000LVVC&view=docDisplay&documentId=GALE%7CCT3208607074
DeleteAnthony,
DeleteThis is an important topic to discuss. Try and focus your attention on a particular state. Look at states that allow assisted suicide and see what the effects are.
My Topic: Corporal Punishment
ReplyDeleteControversy: The controversy over corporal punishment is if it
1.) should be legal
2.) actually works.
Corporal punishment is currently legal in 19 of the 50 states but statistics show those 19 states have the least amount of graduates compared to the national rate. This type of punishment can be proven to help students not make that mistake again but corporal punishment also may have ties to depression and anxiety later in life.
Specific Question: Does hitting kids in school actually help them learn the curriculum?
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteGreat topic! Are you just going to be looking at the southern states? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/tracy-drayton-georgia-phy_n_2049811.html
Deletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/24/willie-swindle-
special-ed_n_1826127.html
Gyle Benami
ReplyDeleteTopic: Medical Marijuana
Controversy:Lately, there has been an ongoing argument discussing whether Marijuana should become a legal drug or stay illegal. Marijuana is said to help with many types of diseases, but some people aren't so convinced. 23 states currently legalize Marijuana at the moment, and the purpose of my paper is to look at the positives and negatives of legalizing Marijuana and decide whether it's smarter to legalize Marijuana in all 50 states, or to not legalize Marijuana in any state and continue to have Marijuana use remain illegal.
Specific question: Should Marijuana become legal in all 50 states?
Claim: Marijuana should become legal in all 50 states.
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010211209
DeleteGyle,
DeleteDo you want to focus on medicinal or recreational marijuana? It is legal to purchase marijuana in four states: Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington--as well as in the District of Columbia. Since many states allow medicinal marijuana, you can focus your paper on recreational use. You can argue if NY state should legalize recreational marijuana by looking at Colorado as a model state and examine how the recent marijuana legalization legislation has affected crime rates, local and state economies, education, agriculture, etc. You can compare states that legalized marijuana to states that still prohibit citizens from possessing it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy Topic: School Dress Codes
ReplyDeleteControversy: Recently, the news has been reporting about students across the nation sending students home for violating the school's dress code. Some of the reasonings for specific suspensions of students are because of insane rules that may be outdated or too strictly enforced.
Specific question(s) that will guide your research: Why are women sent home and suspended for more dress code violations than men? Why is the sexualization of women's bodies by men get women in trouble and not men? Is a school uniform a good way to fix this problem?
Its a great topic! you should focus on how much more the dress code impacts women over men, and how women are constantly put at disadvantages over men.
DeleteTry this link for a helpful article:
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/MagazinesDetailsPage/DocumentToolsPortletWindow?displayGroupName=Magazines&u=nysl_ca_nisk&p=OVIC&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE|A394515121&u=nysl_ca_nisk&zid=ca50e7b910501423ff0cb8fb71998d6b
This is a really interesting topic that is very relevant to what is happening in schools today. I think that people need to bring more attention to this topic. Is your topic focused on boys, girls, or both. Is there a major difference between the treatment of boys and girls? Why do you think this is?
DeleteHelpful Link: http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=News&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA399447733
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=News&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA429709938
My topic: reverse racism
ReplyDeleteReverse racism wasn't a topic in the spotlight until the year 1961 when affirmative action was put into place. Affirmative Action is the policy of favoring members of a disadvantaged group who suffer from discrimination and it tends to focus on employment and education. The controversy comes from the fact of if reverse racism is real and if whites can be discriminated against.
Specific question: is reverse racism real?
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis has been a huge thing in the news lately! Some may say it relates to Obama's presidency or Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech. Have you looked at all those riots that happened over the past year? When can both races be happy and equal? What will it take?
DeleteHere's a link:
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=News&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA85878218
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteMy Topic: Child Beauty Pageants
ReplyDeleteControversy: There have been instances in the last few decades where children who participate in beauty pageants are victimized and harmed emotionally, physically, and mentally. These children are judged solely on appearance, and begin to form the idea that self-worth is only based on how they look." There has been a move to ban child beauty pageants on the grounds that they promote the "hyper-sexualization" of minors. Though, the problem does not consist entirely of the motives behind these pageants. It's also the parents who support and encourage the sexualization of their own children.
Specific Question: Should child beauty pageants be banned in the USA?
I think that this topic is still a little two broad, maybe you should hone in on something a little more. For example you could explore weather beauty pageants are more harmful to young girls than helpful. You could also explore or recount a specific event that would help support your claim.
DeleteThis story seems like it would be a good one to use:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-hillware/how-beauty-pageants-both-helped-and-hurt-me-at-the-same-time_b_6993646.html
Topic: Animals in Captivity
ReplyDeleteControversy: Recently there has been a lot of controversy about the treatment of animals in captivity. One of the most famous and well known incidences was in Seaworld, when a whale killed a trainer due to the stress it was put under living in poor conditions. However, there has also been incidents where living in captivity has saved a species. For this paper I plan to study this issue; I will be looking at the controversy under the points of view of the zoo keepers (staff), the animal rights activists, the media, the scientists, the veterinarians, and the public.
Specific Question: Is the idea of captivity more for the benefit of the animals or the people viewing them? What was the original intent for animals in captivity?
Claim: There is more harm than good that comes from Zoos, Aquariums, and Circus.
Good start, focus on a specific place like sea world, and gather statistics from attacks and things from there
DeleteHeres a link:
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/MagazinesDetailsPage/MagazinesDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=SUIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Magazines&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=SUIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA224863218
Lloyd Pearson
ReplyDeleteTopic: Drinking age
Controversy: Unlike many countries, the drinking age in the US is 21. 18-20 year olds commonly break this law, they are legally considered adults but the can not drink. Teen drinking can cause brain damage, alcoholism and death.
Questions: Is increasing the drinking age the best solution to prevent alcohol related deaths? How effective would alcohol education be for minors to prevent abuse? Why is the ability to drink alcohol the only right you do not receive when you turn 18?
This is an interesting topic. Would you use statistics of students who drink and death rate? Also you might want to consider what it was like in the past when the drinking age was 18. You could describe what people thought about it long ago. Also what you can relate what other rights 18 year olds have and if the drinking law actually accomplished its goal.
Deletehttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2015/02/10/you-must-be-21-to-drink/return-the-drinking-age-to-18-and-enforce-it
This is interesting to look at, it would be interesting to see the positives and negatives of each side of the argument. What is your stance on the topic? It would be useful to see how effective the current drinking age is, and incorporate that into your stance (as you said, most teens brake this drinking age law).
DeleteHere is an article that I think you might find useful: http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010520217
Always a controversial topic. Check out this link:
Deletehttp://www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/us/legal-drinking-age/
My Topic: The drinking age
ReplyDeleteControversy: Should the drinking age be lowered to the same age one become a legal adult.
Background: The drinking age has changed with the change in ages of legal adulthood. All 50 US states have a current minimum drinking age of 21 although, exceptions do exist on a state-by-state basis. Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, and has instead pushed underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments. Opponents of lowering the argue that teens have not yet reached an age where they can handle alcohol responsibly
Specific Question: Is it healthier to have a higher drinking age?
This is certainly a controversial and debatable topic. I think that it is smart that you stay focused on only the United States because, obviously, there are other countries with different legal drinking ages. Maybe something even more interesting to look at would be the ramifications of underage drinking such as DWI and other crimes and casualties related to underage drinking. Another thing to think about is that if the drinking age was lower, would it be less "cool" to drink at the 18 if that was the legal age to drink, or would illegal, underage drinking fall toward even younger teenagers and even children?
DeleteLinks2Look@: http://www.thecoolspot.gov/too_much4.aspx
https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/who-was-injured/teen/underage-drinking-statistics.html
Jason Cropsey
ReplyDeleteTopic: Social Media
Controversy: Social media is seen by many people in both a positive and a negative light. Some people see social media as a way to express themselves without judgement while others see it as a waste of time, and that it just takes away from the overall effectiveness of studying.
Specific Questions: Does social media have a direct correlation to grades and how someone survives in school? Is bullying a direct cause of social media?
Claim: Being involved in social media is beneficial to students.
This is a really great topic for this day and age. It will be interesting to see what types of academic research that you find on this topic. To narrow your topic more would you consider looking at the correlation between suicide rates and the increased use of social media in the last decade? This may allow you to more effectively relate bullying to social media.
DeleteHere is a link to an article that may help you:
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300608
This is a good and interesting topic. Maybe you could focus on social media and its impact in school, positively and negatively.
DeleteThis is a good link to use:
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010744209
Jonathan Dodway
ReplyDeleteTopic: Drones
Controversy: The US has been using unregulated drones ever since 9/11. Some people see drones as a necessary approach to ending terrorism and other people see it as an inhumane threat to other nations.
Specific questions: Does the government intend to regulate drones usage in the near future? Is drone usage frowned upon by other countries?
Claim: The US military should not be allowed to use drones on the Middle East.
You might want to look into how many civilian causalities drones kill doing air strikes in the middle east and whether using drones violates international law. Also you might look at the social aspect as well, that by sending drones to others countries the people of that country might start to hate us and retaliate?
DeleteManny Valenza
DeleteThis is a controversial topic because drones can be beneficial but also detrimental. Maybe relate this to ISIS and how it can be used for protection, but also the negatives that come from it.
Jonathan,
DeleteSuch an important issue to discuss right now. Consider rewording your questions so they are debatable. Your claim is controversial. I anticipate that your questions will provide background information to your readers and then you'll start to argue.
Topic: Vaccine Refusal
ReplyDeleteControversy: There has been much hesitancy by parents to vaccinate children due to media claims that some vaccines have lead to diseases such as autism. Despite the reccomendation by medical professionals parents are still choosing to forgo all vaccines for their children. This has recently become a more pressing issue as most schools have manditory vaccinations for enrollment.
Specific question(s): Does forgoing vaccinations help or harm children?
What are the parents who are choosing to do this doing regarding their childrens education?
Claim Question: Vaccinations aren't a new thing, why now have so many people chosen not to vaccinate?
Potential Claim: Parents of young children should be looking deeper into the implications of their choosing not to vaccinate than just the media.
I think you should look into what the specific vaccine risks are. I also think it would be cool to figure out how many people are refusing to vaccinate their children. Here is an article from opposing viewpoints on the controversy
Deletehttp://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CCX3418700035
This is a good topic. Focus in on the impact on children specifically, or how the parents deal with the children.
DeleteHere is a good source to use:
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=true&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010938206
SAMPLE STUDENT
ReplyDeleteTopic: Paying college athletes
Controversy:
Many people have expressed concern about whether or not college athletes should be paid. Some argue that college athletes are performers and should be paid for their time and hard work even though they have their entire college education paid for. The NCAA disagrees, stating that student athletes are not “employees” under federal law. For this paper I plan to study this issue by looking at the controversy from the players’ coaches, media, and fan’s perspectives.
Specific question(s) that will guide my research: Should the NCAA change its rules to pay college athletes for the sport they play?
Nia Saunders
ReplyDeleteTopic: Binge drinking in teens
Controversy: In recent years, many college deans and parents of teens have seen a troubling growth in the amount of teens that drink in unreasonable amounts. Many college deans believe that the drinking age is a direct catalyst to underage teens drinking in large amounts, believing that because teens are told not to do it, they urge to do it even more. Supporters of the drinking age believe that the behaviors of teens in regards to alcohol is proof that they are not responsible enough to be able to legally drink yet. The United States is currently one of three countries that has a drinking age of 21.
Specific Question: Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 18?
Does binge drinking correlate with the current drinking age?
Claim: The legal drinking age is a direct catalyst to irresponsible drinking amongst teens.
Do you think teenagers are responsible enough for this? Should states be able to decide, not national government?
DeleteCould deaths increase? The number one cause of death in teens are car accidents.
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010520228
Nia,
DeleteGreat controversy to examine. If you look at college presidents and what they are arguing for (use that NPR article that I showed you), then that will set you up nicely for your paper.
Sarah Smith
ReplyDeleteTopic: The Death Penalty
Texas is the state with the leading amount of inmate executions. From 1982 until present, 531 people have been executed in the state of Texas. Previous forms of execution include hanging and electrocution, but what is currently used is lethal injection. Recently in Texas, Raphael Holiday was executed. Holiday’s two lawyers said that they would no longer oppose his execution despite his plea to live. Holiday asked for a new lawyer to be appointed to him because he did not have the money for one himself. His request was denied, his two lawyers dismissing any and all ideas that Holiday had anything substantial left to present. They gave up on Holiday and he was executed.
Specific Question: Should the state of Texas allow its lawyers to ignore their clients plea for life when faced with the death penalty?
Claim: Texas’ lawyers should be obligated to defend the case their client wishes to make until it is lawfully proven that their client is guilty because to not do so might send an innocent person to their death.
Response: This topic is very interesting and controversial. It's good that you chose a specific state to further enhance your research. However, to help you be more effect in your research, you could incorporate different cases revolving around the issue of Texas encouraging the use of execution methods. Is it used as a last resort or is it a common practice in Texas? Does the beliefs of the state itself come into play regarding their decision to execute the convict?
DeleteThis is a link I believe may help you:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/execution/readings/texas.html
Sarah,
DeleteExcellent job narrowing your topic. Sam offered some great suggestions that can help you. I'm looking forward to what you come up with!
Topic: Music Censorship
ReplyDeleteControversy: Some people find lyrics in music harsh and provocative enough to try and get government to intervene in the situation. They believe that these lyrics influence the way people behave and certain lyrics should be censored, especially for lyrics that criticize the government.
Should government be able to censor lyrics to music despite the first amendment?
Questions: What lyrics would be censored?
Is it only targeted at one genre of music?
Such an interesting topic! Check out these links:
Deletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/12/arts/better-songs-through-censorship.html
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052066/50-cent-ti-speak-their-minds-on-lyric-censorship
Topic: Perception of Terrorism in the middle east
ReplyDeleteControversy:
Some people believe that terrorism is a direct cause of the Islamic religion. They believe that one way to prevent terrorism in the U.S. is to prevent all muslims from entering the country. World leaders in France, U.K., U.S. Russia, etc. have stated the opposite oppinion. They say that the War on Terrorism is not against all muslims but against a small sect of people who have radicalized the religion.
Questions:
Is there a relationship with a specific group of muslims or ideals that leads to radical actions such as terrorism?
What is being done to prevent terrorism other than refusing to let muslims into the country?
What do most Americans think about the issue?
Jon Hyatt
ReplyDeleteTopic: Medical Marijuana
Controversy: Lately, Medical Marijuana has been legalized in certain states to help with certain conditions. Some people believe that marijuana doesn't have as many medical benefits as people believe. There is major controversy as to whether or not marijuana should be legalized.
Specific Question(s): Are there really any medical benefits to marijuana?
Should marijuana be legalized in the us?
What are the risks of using marijuana?
What do you think will happen to marijuana in the future? Will it be legal throughout the US? What restrictions if any should be placed on marijuana if it gets legalized?
Deletehttp://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/MagazinesDetailsPage/MagazinesDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=SUIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Magazines&limiter=&u=nysl_ca_nisk&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=SUIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CA416020560
Jon,
DeleteIf you focus on medicinal marijuana, then look at states that have legalized this and examine its effects. Is it positively helping people?
Gigi Cotugno
ReplyDeleteTopic: Paying student athletes
Controversy: Since they are still students at the school, some people don’t think it is fair to pay them. However others think they are being paid with their scholarship money. Others think they should be paid for bringing in money for the school. I will be looking at what specific reasons they are getting paid. If there is a sport in specific or is it all sports. And I will be looking at this from the school, athlete and community point of view.
Specific questions: Would this be for both male and female athletes?
Is this only for division 1?
Where is the money coming from?
When would the students get the money?
I think this is a very interesting topic considering that many students that we know are going D1 for sports; I am curious to see the results. You mentioned you were going to look into which sports specifically, I am curious as to how much these athletes would be paid compared to professionals?
DeleteHere is a link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/27/ncaa-pay-student-athletes_n_6940836.html
Gigi,
DeleteImportant topic to examine. Consider focusing your paper on Division I athletes.
Are athletes the only students that are paid for pursuing their interests at school? Why not pay the chemistry majors for studying chemistry? Why not pay the mechanical engineers for designing and building robots? What makes sports so special that students get paid for smashing into each other?
DeleteSylvia Canestrari
ReplyDeleteTopic: Gun Control
Controversy: Gun control is one of the biggest debates right now in the country. Some people believe that there should be stricter gun control rules while other believe that enforcing more gun control rules will be taking away from the second amendment and that people have the right to bear arms. Media tends to only show negative things relating to guns, which of course are, but never anything good and people tend to make their decisions based on these negative events. With some of the more recent shootings, many of the gunmen have had mental problems. Because of this, people wonder if there were stricter rules when purchasing a gun if these events would have ever happened.
Question: Should purchasing a gun be harder in order to keep guns out of the hands of people with mental health problems?
I think this is an interesting topic, specifically with the health factor. What are specific cases where this has been a problem? I think it would be good if you took one or two specific cases where this was a big problem.
DeleteHere is a link I think could be helpful
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/10/26/gun-control-americans-overwhelmingly-blame-mental-health-failures-for-mass-shootings/
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJoe Romano
ReplyDeleteTopic: 2022 World Cup Held in Qatar
Controversy:
The 2022 World Cup is expected to be played in Qatar, but that causes a bunch of controversy. There is an on-going FBI investigation surrounding a bribery of $1.5 million to the administrators of FIFA in voting for the World Cup to be played in Qatar. Now that Qatar has been chosen, there have been many controversies arising. The Qatari government has stated that no gays will be allowed to attend the games and their will be a “straightness” test upon admittance. Another problem is that the weather is extremely hot in the summer, and are considering to move it to the winter. That will cause problems for all the other professional leagues that play in the winter and have time off during the summer. Also, there are many “slaves” working hard to build the stadiums necessary for the world wide tournament. The fact they are using slaves is bad enough, but considering there are a number of them dying from heat exhaustion and the heights of the making of the stadiums.
Specific Question: Is it truly worth having the World Cup in Qatar, considering all of the tragic events that are made up from this creation?
Topic: Mandatory Computer Science Classes
ReplyDeleteControversy: Should this happen? There are many arguments for and against this statement. On one hand, the cost of training teachers, captivating and sustaining student interest, and creating good course materials is immense. On the other hand, there are online free applications such as Scratch and Alice that make teaching the concepts of computer science (more important than the specifics of any programming language) much easier and low-cost.
Question: Should Computer Science be a mandatory class in school?