Contemporary Social Problem Discussions

Contemporary Social Problem Discussions

Contemporary Social Problem Discussions (CO 1-7)

During the semester, you will be asked to post two discussions on contemporary social problems in the United States. By following the news on reputable media sites – that does not include Facebook – you will find a social issue/problem that catches your interest. Topics could include police brutality, poverty, discrimination, child welfare issues, housing policy, etc.

History tells us that there are not any entirely new social issues. There are only old problems perhaps in new contexts or, like the old saying goes, “old wine in new bottles.” So as the philosopher and historian Edmund Burke is famous for saying, “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Therefore, we want you to look at your current issue/problem in a historical context. For instance, you might want to look into the rise of white nationalism, Fascism, or sometimes called the Alt-Right Political Movement which is increasing in size and influence. You might conclude that there are many parallels between today’s movement and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the late 19th and early 20th Century in terms of their beliefs, methods, and goals. If that is so, you may be able to predict the future course of white nationalism or better understand its attraction to its adherents and influence on society in general.

The instructions for the specific discussion are: 1) You select your CSP based on your interests; 2) Identify a historical event or period related to your topic and do research on the historical event – its origin, social impact, and legacy, including at least three references. Summarize your findings in a couple of paragraphs; and finally 3) draw a conclusion based on parts one and two above. Original posting should not exceed 400 words.