Read through the position paper topics below. Select the one on which you wish to write. You may want to identify alternatives in case your initial choice is taken. On the sign up sheet distributed in class, write your name in the blank next to the topic you have chosen. You may only write your name in an empty blank. If a topic is taken, you must choose an alternative. The position papers and presentations are due when the topics under which they are listed are being discussed in class. For example, papers on topics listed under Problems Relating to Family, Sex, and Gender will be due when we discuss these issues in class, which should be in 3 to 4 weeks. In writing your paper, you may take whatever position you want. You may use whatever resources you believe appropriate, but you should use resources. The paper should contain more than your opinion. You should provide a strong justification for your opinion, including evidence to back up your claims and assertions. Use the readings in your text as a guide. Good luck and have fun.
1. Should Abusive Parents Be Put in Jail? 2. Is Acquaintance Rape a Major Problem in America? 3. Should Prostitution Be Legalized?
4. Should Schools Teach Moral Values? 5. Are Standardized Tests Good Measures of Academic Ability or Progress? 6. Do Home Schooled Children Get Adequate Educations? 7. Should Classes Be Offered to Non-English Speaking Students in Their Own Language? 8. Is Grade Inflation a Problem in American Schools? 9. Will Spending More Money On Schools Improve Educational Achievement? 10. Will Raising Standards for Teachers Improve Educational Achievement?
11. Do We Need a Constitutional Amendment Making Abortion Illegal? 12. Have Doctors and the Health Care Industry Become Too Powerful? 13. Has Managed Care Been Good for American Health Care? 14. Does America Need a National Health Care System or Insurance Program? 15. Should Doctors Be Required to Release the Names of Patients Who Test Positive for AIDS? 16. Should Nursing Homes Be Paid More to Improve Quality of Care? 17. Should Genetic Engineering, Cloning, and Other Forms of Genetic Medicine Be Pursued?
18. Has the Separation of Church and State Gone Too Far? 19. Does Religion Create Intolerance? 20. Should Hate Groups Be Allowed Free Speech? 21. Will Restoring Traditional Religions Improve Morality and Values?
22. Does TV Violence Increase Violent Crime? 23. Should Sexually Explicit Material Be Allowed on Television? 24. Do Corporations and Other Powerful Groups Control What Is on TV? 25. Should the Internet Be Restricted and Regulated? 26. Is Technology Making Us More Alienated, Less Sociable, and Less Human? 27. Does the Media Have a Liberal Bias?
28. Is Racism a Problem in Contemporary America? 29. Are Gender Differences in Pay Understandable? 30. Are the Aged Discriminated Against? 31. Do Men Do Their Share Of the Work At Home?
32. Should American Workers Be Concerned About Sexual Harassment in the Workplace? 33. Is Automation of the Workplace Beneficial to Workers? 34. Should Employers Be Allowed to Do Random Drug Testing? 35. Is the Opening of Global Markets Good for the Average American? 36. Can/Should Social Security Be Saved?
37. Is American Democracy in Decline? 38. Should the Electoral College Be Eliminated? 39. Is the Two Party System Beneficial to American Democracy? 40. Will Campaign Finance Reform Improve the American Political Process?
41. Should Drug Users Be Incarcerated? 42. Should People With Multiple DUIs Have Their Licenses Suspended? 43. Is Prescription Drug Abuse a Problem in America? 44. Should Cigarettes Be Restricted or Outlawed?
45. Should Violent Youth Offenders Be Tried As Adults? 46. Does Gun Control Reduce Crime? 47. Should Police Have More Freedom to Enforce the Law? 48. Is Incarceration the Answer to the Crime Problem?
49. Should City Growth Be Restricted and Controlled? 50. Has the Environmental Movement Gone Too Far? 51. Should America Expand Its Use of Nuclear Energy? 52. Should Businesses Be Required to Use Environmentally Friendly Technologies?