Category Archives: 1 Senior Current Issues

Assignment due at the beginning of class on Monday, September 22. 

We have looked hard at three issues – The death of Kajieme Powell, Life in the Calcutta Brothels, and the cost of higher education in the USA.  Each of these include  aspects that demand a deeper look.  I want you for this assignment to choose one of three and dig in.  I don’t really care where you go, just that you take it deeper.  So – run your article choice by me first – and make sure there is some kind of link to the original post.

I want you to search where you want to search!  Your choice.  However, that effort needs to be substantial.  So, make sure to follow the linked guidelines to Active Reading and Reflective Writing.  Pairs are fine.  However, if you do work in pairs make sure that both individuals do an Active Reading assignment.

Please go here for Active Reading and Reflective Writing Guidelines.

I would really like the  new students, foreign exchange students and non 2013/14 Econ / Gov students to work alongside somebody who has used our active reading format before, however that isn’t a requirement.

The Active Reading assignment is 20 points.  The Reflective Writing assignment is 80 points.  The assignment is due hard copy by Monday September 22 or posted to google docs by that date.   Please contact me if you have questions.

Assignment due posted to Google Docs – Saturday September 6 – 11:59 PM.

The Death of Kajieme Powell…

that’s all.  Open your eyes, wake up and think.  This issue of white cop on black man is complicated.  It’s all wrapped up in poverty and guns, and education, and crime and mental illness and a disconnect between community and those who are sworn to protect that community.

We will not solve this problem in a couple of assignments in Senior Current Issues.  We can however ask ourselves questions.  And at the end of the day…that’s the only way to begin to find answers.  Please, this is your world.  Wake up – pay attention.  Care about it.  Question it.  Think about it.  The world that you inherit will be shaped in large measure by your combined efforts today.  You need to care to shape it well; and you cannot do that unless you are AWAKE.

For this assignment, I’d like to hear some final thoughts that you have on the death of Kajeime Powell.  Lets do a Google Docs post – to me by Saturday, September 6 11:59 PM.  Requirements below…

• Free write – Powell’s death will be serve as focus – you can move in any direction that you choose.
• Pull at least one quote from the sources that we read.  Cite source, and quote.
• Word target –  400 words.
• Go in whatever direction you would like to go with this one.
• At the end – Ask a rhetorical question.  

Also – Getting to Know You Survey and Welcome to Senior Current Issues.