Politically Correct?

More and more we hear greetings this time of year expressed as "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas." Because of that, we hear more and more dissatisfaction in private conversation over the use of this politically correct, generic greeting.

Are we becoming too polically correct in today's society?

Read the following article and write a thoughtful response.
http://theintermountain.com/page/content.detail/id/539318/Can-we-be-politically-correct-an---.html

L.I.Serial Killer?

Recently, four bodies have been found murdered and dumped on Long Island. Could we have a serial killer in our midst?

Read and reflect on the following article.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40656155/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Money Changes Everything

When every dollar counts, parents are having to say no…when all they've ever said is yes. Has your outlook/habits with regards to money changed in this country's economic decline?
In this troubling economic time, is it important for parents to discuss their finances with their children? Should children know how much money their parents make?
How has the recent decline in the economy affected your outlook on your future?
job prospects?

Free Speech or Espionage?

WikiLeaks has published thousands of pages of classified U.S. intelligence. This non-profit website publishes and comments on leaked documents that allege government and corporate misconduct. Some defend it saying that it protects whistle-blowers, journalists and activists. Critics have charged that it recklessly endangers national security. The online organization's actions have ignited fierce debate over whether the First Amendment's free speech rights will keep its members and its founder, Julian Assange, safe from prosecution. Is this free speech or simply espionage?

Read all (3) articles and write a thoughtful response.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/12/01/sweden.interpol.assange/index.html?hpt=T2

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/01/wikileaks.toobin/index.html?hpt=T2

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/12/01/sweden.interpol.assange/index.html?hpt=T2

Opt Out Day

After much recent controversy over heightened airport security measures, people across the country are calling for all airport travelers to "opt out" of the new full body scanning procedures and for the "pat down" method in its place. On the busiest weekend of the year for traveling, people are hoping to draw attention to this issue if enough people refuse to walk through full body scanners. Should this technology be further investigated before we put into place? What are the health ramifications of the radiation, privacy issues, etc.? Is this really necessary for safety against terrorism? How invasive is the alternative "pat down" method?
Explain your concerns or ideas on this issue.


Please read the following article and write a thoughtful response.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/24/national.opt.out.day/index.html?hpt=T1

To Friend or Not To Friend

How has technology (ie. tweeting, facebook, texting, etc.) changed our personal connections with others? for the better? for the worse?
Read the following article and write a thoughtful response.

http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/12/tweets-texts-and-facebook-cost-young-people-true-friendships-s/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl5%7Csec3_lnk3%7C183899

Thrill Kill

Is man inherently evil or are evil men created?
Read the following article and watch the footage on CNN to reflect on it thoughtfully.

http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article/nh-teen-steven-spader-gets-life-in-prison-for-machete-murder-of-kimberly-cates/19710009

To Ban or Not to Ban

Please read BOTH articles below and write a thoughtful response.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/11/02/s-f-to-mcdonalds-no-happy-meals-in-the-city-unless-certain-nu/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl3%7Csec4_lnk2%7C182102

and

http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/columns/oped_contributors/SF-supervisors-We-know-whats-best-for-your-kids-105843438.html

Facebook Rant

Copy and paste the link below. Please write a thoughtful reaction to this news story.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/28/arkansas.anti.gay.resignation/index.html?hpt=C1

The "Reality" of Teen Pregnancy

Does MTV's reality show "Teen Mom" glamorize or discourage teenage pregnancy?
Recently, Lifetime aired a movie called "The Pregnancy Pact," which was based on a true story of young middle school girls making a pact to become pregnant at the same time. Are these images negatively/positively influencing a generation of young girls? What role should schools take in educating young people about the dangers of pregnancy? Should schools distribute birth control for students who request it? Is teaching "abstinence" unrealistic with today's youth? How can we fix this growing problem?

The Power of Words

In today's society, many people often speak without thinking about how their words can affect others. Explain whether or not using religious, gay, or racial slurs is ever acceptable. How do we determine if using these words crosses the line and becomes offensive? Why are there so many people who still believe their freedom of speech is more important than being sensitive to others in terms of their ethnicity, race, religion, or sexuality?

Generation Me

Your generation has been often been called "Generation Me." Does your generation have a sense of material entitlement? Read the following article from Newsweek and reflect on the author's discussion of narcissism. Do you agree/disagree? Explain why. Please offer a detailed response.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/194640

Cyberbullying Gone Too Far

Copy and paste the link below and respond to this horrific news story.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/29/new.jersey.student.suicide/index.html?hpt=C2

Social Networking Dangers

Do colleges have the right to look at the social-networking sites of applicants? Why or why not? How careful are you about what you post on Facebook, Myspace or Twitter?

See Wall Street Journal Article below
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122170459104151023.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

To Hate or not to Hate...that is the question?

Please copy and paste the link below.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/07/pastor-says-church-deterred-petraeus-warning-koran-burning/

Terry Jones, pastor of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., has set off a storm of controversy because he planned to burn copies of the Koran on the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the The World Trade Center.
Many believe that this act would put our troops in harms way.

Is this act simply freedom of speech? Should the government step in to stop this action? Why/Why not? Is this act an act of racism against ALL Muslims?
Should we hold ALL Muslims responsible for the acts of a group of terrorists?

Explain your opinion on this issue with specific points.

Please copy and paste the link below.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/08/nyc-mosque-protests.html

A controversy is ensuing over the proposal of a mosque being built near ground zero in NYC. Many people believe it should not be built so close to the World Trade Center Memorial Site out of respect for the victims of 9/11. Others believe that this notion is a racist one since over sixty victims were in fact Muslim. Are people being too sensitive about this issue? Should we hold ALL Muslims accountable for the horrific acts of a group of terrorists? Explain your opinion with specific points.

Descriptive Writing Assignment

Descriptive Writing Assignment
Writing for College

Description:• Is the act of capturing people, places, events, objects, and feelings
so that a reader can visualize and respond to them
• Suspends objects in time
• In its pure form, does not contain action or time
• Is a sensory experience
• Is based in “showing” rather than telling
• Objective description
o Characterized by impartial, precise, and emotionless tone
o Technical and specific
o Accurate, unbiased, and easily understandable
• Subjective description
o Is intentionally created to produce a particular response in the reader
o Focuses on feelings rather than raw data

Reading and Writing Descriptive Essays:• All good descriptions share four fundamental qualities:
o An accurate sense of audience and purpose
o A clear vision of the object being described
o A careful selection of detail that help communicate the author’s vision
o A consistent point of view or perspective from which a writer composes

Choose an Essay Topic and Begin Brainstorming:

• Essay One: Write an essay describing for your classmates some of the “junk” you have collected over the years. Why are certain items junk to some people and treasures to others? What makes the things you are describing special to you?

• Essay Two: Describe a place that is special to you in some way. It could be your living room, the beach, or where you had your first kiss. It could be where you were frightened the most or delighted the most. Be sure to involve as many senses in your description as possible.


Write Your Essay: • Essays must be typed in MLA format and be approximately two pages in length.

Goals & Objectives

What are your goals and objectives for this class? Explain your expectations of this course.

Freshman Fear Factor

Dear Students,
I would just like to say that it has been a pleasure working with you all this semester. Best of luck next year on your new journey! Shakespeare once said, "Above all to thine own self be true." (Hamlet) Remember- find what you love to do and then get paid for it!

Best of Luck,
Mrs. Sundberg

I'm sure you're all excited to embark on your new journey at college next year. However, I'd like you to take a moment to read a blog below that touches on some things you all may be feeling before you leave the nest. Please reflect on your own fears or concerns for your freshman year at school and beyond. This is your last blog entry, so make it count.

http://myusearchblog.com/my-freshman-fears-concerns

Teen Unemployment

Read the following article and reflect on whether this issue has/will impact you or others you know.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952331,00.html

The job market is tough for everyone. But this recession has become a jobs disaster for 16-to-19-year-olds. How worried should the youth of America be about this issue?

"Smart Security"

After the events of 9/11, the ”shoe bomber” and now the recent “underwear bomber,”
it is obvious that current airport travel security procedures are ineffective and inadequate.

Please read the following article on “Smart Screening” and reflect specifically on the following:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/01/05/emerson.profiling.smart.screening/index.html

How can the US prevent terrorists from smuggling homemade bombs through security?
How willing would you be as a traveler to go through more extensive screening procedures?
“Smart Screening” is the screening process utilizing watch lists, ethnicity, religion, behavior, and travel history.
How far is too far when it comes to “screening/profiling” people for travel?
Where do you draw the line between civil liberties and security?
What are your personal feelings towards travel and security under these current conditions?