America's New Addiction

Why are Americans so obsessed with reality television? What does this say about our culture? Explain the causes of this obsession and what are some of the long term effects. Read the following ( 2 ) articles and write a thoughtful response. http://web.mit.edu/renakatz/www/cultureshock/essays/essay4.html http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/12/here-comes-honey-boo-boo-blows-up.html

Is Social Networking getting too political?

Most of had people tell us that at family gatherings and at parties you shouldn't bring up the topics politics or religion. It seems that the saying also applies to social networks or at least as far as politics are concerned. It has been a growing trend this Presidential election that expressing your political view on either Facebook or twitter can run the risk of losing friends and followers.Is social networking getting too political? Write a thoughtful response.

Violence Against Activism

Please read the following article and write a thoughtful response. http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/11/world/asia/pakistan-teen-activist-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

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?

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

Bully Intervention

Watch the following video clip about a mother who recently stepped in to protect her son from a boy who had been bullying him. Write a thoughtful reflection on the story, and its impact on the issue of bullying. Should parents have the right to step in to protect their children? http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/bestoftv/2012/09/20/mom-fights-bully.wjxt

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?