- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Debating the Issues that Divide America Today 4219-SH008-OG
This course will look at some of the most important issues that are faced by Americans today. Most of these issues reflect deep divisions between different groups of people. The divisions often transcend political parties, ideologies, traditions, regions, age, economic class, ethnic and gender identification. Each plays an important role in the political dynamics of the contemporary United States. We will look at the history and dynamics of the most important and divise of these issues. In recent years this polarization has become more intense as there has been growing economic inequality, a stagnation of incomes for the vast majority of Americans (after the 1970s), well-organized concern over a number of social issues by certain religious groups, an enormous increase in money in politics (mostly from the very rich and giant corporations), a major shift to the right in politics (especially in the Republican Party), a resurgence of racial and ethnic divisions, and political paralysis in Congress and many state legislatures. The choice of the specific issues to be covered will be determined by the amount of time available and the students’ interests and preferences. The topics underlined below will be covered in any case because of their importance.
Donald Trump, his Election Campaign, his Administration
Growing economic inequality and its consequences
Poverty, its causes and costs
Economic stimulus, unemployment and Job creation
Infrastructure development
Climate change
The denial of science
Clean energy—solar, wind, hydro-electric, geo-thermal
The attack on voting rights
Political polarization
Gerrymandering and safe districts, limiting voter choice
Health Care
Mental health, alienation, suicide
Education
Religion in the schools
Charter schools
Homelessness
Aging, nursing homes
Immigration (Melting pot or Waldorf salad?)
Statue of Liberty or Insurmountable Wall?
Violence, Guns and gun control
Crime
Prisons
Media, news coverage, and the politics of fear
The war on drugs and Marijuana legalization
Same sex marriage and LGBT rights
Contraception and abortion
Police brutality and widespread bias against minorities
Travon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, etc.
Racial and ethnic divisions—resegregation
National security and the threat to civil liberties
Whistleblowers
Is the American Dream dead or just barely hanging on?
Type of course
Learning outcomes
To help the students understand the variety and complexities of the issues that divide American society today and that are the heart of the political struggles going on at the national, state and local levels. To help students understand the origins and often the intensity of the debate and the consequences for different groups of people. The course is designed to help students understand how changes in the economics and politics of American society have affected the specifics and the nature of the debate.
Knowledge
Knows the history of the major issues that divide people in the United States.
Knows the impact of this conflict on democracy.
Is aware of the negative impact of deep divisions in American politics
Knows the influence of effective leadership and mediation.
Knows which government programs have had the most positive impact resolving conflict
Is aware of which individuals and groups have done the most to overcome divisions and provide resolutions to conflicts
Skills
Is able to locate and analyze information political divisions in American society
Has the ability to measure and evaluate the negative impact of conflict and division on American life
Is able to compare divisions and conflicts over time
Has the ability to compare divisions in the US with those other countries around the world.
Is able to locate and analyze the various ideas that have been proposed for mitigating poverty and reducing inequality.
Competence
Understands the negative impact of deep divisions on American culture and institutions.
Is prepared for cooperation and group work in research, analysis, and writing about social and political divisions
Understands where to look for deep divisions and their impact on different groups of people in different parts of the US.
Can help others understand how deep divisions develop and change over time, and what can be done about them.
Can write and speak effectively about deep divisions in American society and their impact on individuals and society.
Assessment criteria
Students will be expected to attend each class, ask relevant questions, and participate in discussion about the topic of the day (25% of grade).
Each student will write a 10 page double-spaced paper with footnotes and bibliography (25% of grade), prepare an annotated bibliography of all of his/her readings for the course (25% of grade), and take a fill-in-the blanks final exam (25% of grade).
Bibliography
Readings will be assigned each week, with an attempt made to use the best printed (library) on-line sources to provide background information and bring the class up-to-date on what is happening in the debate over each issue.
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: