Your syllabus

I want your input in what our class discusses and writes about in the remainder of the semester.  It may be more interesting for you and for me if we read, study, and ultimately write about the issues that you would most like to explore.

Complete the form and click submit below.


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Proposed topics

Below is a list of topics I've either used before with some success or have thought might be interesting for us to explore in an advanced comp class.  Vote for as many topics as you think might be interesting, and if you have specific comments or concerns with any of these topics, share them with brief remarks in the text boxes.
 

Sport fans 
Argument over different reasons why some people are passionate sports fans. I have two readings on the topic that present a variety of viewpoints on the issue.

Comments (if any):

Education issues 
Arguments over a number of topics involving education, including abolishing grades, evaluating the effectiveness of our pre-university education system, possibilities for reform, and the importance of technology in the classroom.

Comments (if any):
Family matters 
Arguments over a variety of topics involving family or marriage, including legalization of same-sex marriage, the "demise" of the family vs. evolution of the "traditional" family structure, and different definitions of family.

Comments (if any):

Crime, punishment, torture 
Arguments over the effectiveness of our methods of punishing criminals and prison reform; arguments on whether the U.S. should or should not torture criminals, spies, or other enemies of the public or state.
Comments (if any):
Pornography 
Arguments over what constitutes pornography, whether or not pornography has a damaging impact on our society, and/or reform in pornography laws.
Comments (if any):

TV/Media 
Arguments over the influence or responsibilities of advertisers and/or the television industry (or other media).

Comments (if any):

Racial issues 
Arguments over our relative progress or lack thereof in race relations and/or affirmative action.

Comments (if any):
Welfare reform 
Arguments for and against changes in our system of government assistance for the needy.
Comments (if any):

Open for suggestions

In the space below, make suggestions for other issues that might be interesting for the class to discuss and write about. You might review topics used for illustration in Ancient Rhetorics, but do consider other options as well. Note that abortion is not a possibility because it might be painful for some in the class to discuss, and that I'm leery of the death penalty or gun control as trite or overdone in composition classes. All other matters under the sun are fair game. Share your ideas!