American Dilemmas Section 3 Dr. Smith

CLEARLY COMMUNICATED LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives: Part I Through the analysis of material presented and the writing of a critical paper on a current social problem, each student will demonstrate the ability to: Accurately describe the social, economic, and political dimension of major problems and dilemmas facing contemporary American society;

Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives: Part II Critically analyze social problems by identifying value perspectives and applying concepts of sociology, political science, and economics; Use knowledge and analyses of social problems to evaluate public policy, and to suggest policy alternatives, with special reference to questions of social justice, the common good, and public and individual responsibility.

OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS COURSE CONTENT

Office Hours The University Requires faculty hold 5 hours a week I hold 14 hours a week

Office Hours When – Monday and Wednesday 10-2 – Tuesday and Thursday 11-2 – And by appointment Where – Doyle 206 Phone –

ABOUT THE CLASS

From The Syllabus Textbooks Class attendance Expectations about Student Work

What American Dilemmas should Not Be This should not be a course where you are made to feel guilty about who you are. A course where the instructor preaches about why the United States is the worst nation in recorded history.

What American Dilemmas is A course that understands that no nation/policy/government is perfect A course that understands that there are serious social/political/economic problems facing the United States A course that examines SOCIAL PROBLEMS and their solutions objectively and in the context of reality. This means looking at things analytically and critically. We do this by using methods from sociology, political science and economics.

What is a Social Problem It must harm a significant number of people or an influential segment of the population It must occur frequently It must be able to be remedied by collective human action (this means Government).

What is Not a Social problem Something that is produced by natural or biological conditions (hair loss, earthquakes) Something that is purely a private issue (outside of the direct control of government) Something that is a pure ethical or moral argument (should cloning be legal?)

Social Problems need to be solved by Social Policy What is social Policy? Types of Social Policy – Preventive Measures – Intervention – Broad Social Reform

Should We Solve the Problem? Can We afford the Direct Costs? Does it create spillover effects? Is it Feasible? Policy makers find that doing nothing is often the best solution!

The American Dilemmas Paper The Biggest Challenge

You want to pick a topic that has a solution and decision makers are actively trying to solve it

Vetoed Topics Abortion – court issue Juvenile Court System- state issue, too many policies Lowering the Drinking Age Affirmative Action- high school issue, not on the agenda Medical Marijuana/War on Drugs/legalization- too normative Pornography Capital Punishment/Death Penalty- high school topic, 50 state policies Same-sex marriage/Civil Unions/same-sex adoption- states have resolved this Cloning/Stem Cell/Eugenics- ethical issue School Prayer- Engal v. Vitale, court issue Euthanasia- ethical issue Obesity- no two sides, lifestyle choice, local-state policies TV/Media/Internet Regulation- court issue Gun Regulation – effectively dead for now (DC vs Heller) Animal Rights/medical use of animals- not on agenda, already strict laws, ask Ron Mexico

Good Topics are Open ended The thesis is stated in the form of a question because your Capstone paper explores both sides of a controversy without bias. Check your topic question for neutral language. Avoid words like “wrong,” “prevent,” “avoid” that indicate you hold a position on the topic.

Good Topics are Normative The Opposite of Empirical Based on what we think should be Usually involves the words “should” or “ought to” “Should the Federal Government close tax loopholes on oil companies”

Good Topics are controversial They do not involve symbolic politicssymbolic politics There are real people (interest groups, legislators, political parties) who care about your topic The above groups will answer yes or no to your question

Good Topics Have A Real Policy Solution A political controversy without a solution, is just Drunk Talk – Who is/was the best president? – A lion vs. a bear in a cage match Real Solutions take the form of policy outputs (laws)

Good Topics have a clear level of analysis A good topic has some level of government actively working on it A theoretical “government” solution is not a good topic

What is a unit of analysis? The Level of Government that has jurisdiction over the social problem Not all governments are powerful in all areas Which means that saying the “government” simply isn’t enough?

A Good Topic has Two Clear Sides You need to pick a topic that has legitimate decision makers on both sides. You need to pick a topic that has disagreement – No legitimate decision makers are in favor of human trafficking

What is a good Topic? Can you answer yes to these? Is it being actively being discussed by legitimate policy-makers? Does it have a clear unit of analysis? Is it not primarily an ethical dilemma? Does it have at least two well-articulated sides? Is there a legitimate policy solution to your problem Can you write pages on it?

Topics That Tend Not To Work High School Topics Dilemmas from other nations Lopsided Topics and Culture War issues Conspiracy theories (short on evidence) Issues not subject to government regulation in some way Sports Issues: i.e. BCS policies, playoffs, drug testing of athletes

THE AMERICAN DILEMMAS PAPER

The Paper This is what American Dilemmas is all about 1.Identify and discuss the history of a social problem (Paper I) 2.Identify a normative solution to that problem (Paper II) 3.Identify arguments for and against the solution and discuss whether it is a moral solution (Paper II and III) 4.Determine whether it is worth doing and how it could be done (Paper III)

Social Problem: Paper 1 Controversy: Paper 2 1 st research the social problem 2 nd research the controversial issue (aka the controversial solution)

Examples: Social Problem  Immigration  Global Warming  Failing Public Schools  Discrimination based on sexual orientation Controversial Solution  DREAM ACT  CAP and TRADE  Race to the Top  Enact tougher federal hate crime laws.

What is a Normative Solution The Opposite of Empirical Based on what we think should be Usually involves the words “should” or “ought to” “Should the Federal Government enact a windfall profits tax on oil companies”

THESIS QUESTION: The controversy A “normative” or “should” question about a specific solution to your social problem. Should be narrow and specific (this will develop) – Unit of Analysis – Controversial Solution Examples: Should the Texas legislature prohibit Sanctuary Cities? Should the city of Austin construct an Urban Rail System?

Why The Paper? Practical Reasons – Employers value writing skills Academic Reasons – It prepares you for Capstone Personal Reasons – a sense of accomplishment University Reasons – The mission of the university

Paper Proposal Due in class on 2/7/12 5% of your final Grade Involves submitting 2 Parts – Worksheet – 2 page paper