SYB 111
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES—FALL 2004

1. Read (in Newsweek, October 18 issue) Pp. 31-40 “A Clean Count”

Write: Apply the social constructionist perspective. What is the problem? How is the issue being framed (what “claims” are being made, what visual and verbal images are being presented to the reader)? What claims are being made about “harm” to society (negative effects)? What solutions are discussed? [NOTE: this can substitute for a missing written assignment].

2. Blue Back Square

As a follow up to our class discussion of the proposed Blue Back Square project in West Hartford, do some additional research on the topic:

Use the following websites (you could also go and walk around both the center and the proposed location of the development:

www.west-hartford.com/BlueBackSquare/BlueBackSquare.htm [town of West Hartford site with map, consultants reports, and other information] Click here to go to the site.

www.bluebacksquare.com [the developer’s website] Click here to go to the site.

www.savethecenter.net/ [opponents’ website] Click here to go to the site.

Discuss the Blue Back Square proposal. You could apply a social constructionist perspective and analyze the claims and counterclaims. You could analyze the issue in terms of problems being addressed and problems being created. Reach a conclusion. Do you think that this project will benefit West Hartford? Why or why not? Do you see any general issues that could apply to development projects in any town? [NOTE: the amount of extra credit awarded will depend upon the depth of the submission]

3. Social Problems and the Presidential Election

Select three (or so) social problems of interest to you. Research the various presidential candidates’ position on these issues. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the candidates’ positions. What conclusions do you reach? Be sure to explain your reasoning. [NOTE: the amount of extra credit awarded will depend upon the depth of the submission. This assignment MUST be submitted on or before election day—November 2.]

The following websites can provide information on candidates’ positions:

www.georgebush.com/ Click here to go to the site.

www.johnkerry.com/ Click here to go to the site.

www.votenader.org Click here to go to the site.

www.gp.org [Green Party] Click here to go to the site.

www.badnarik.org [Libertarian Party] Click here to go to the site.

4. Tuesday, November 16, 7:30-9 PM in Konover. “Speak Out” on the election. Attend the event and write a reaction paper in which you summarize the arguments made by speakers. How are issues being framed? What is your reaction to the evening?

5. Tuesday, November 30, 12-1:30 PM in Wilde Auditorium. Lecture by Mary Bonauto (lead attorney in Massachusetts same sex marriage case). Attend the lecture and write a reaction paper.

6. Review the redevelopment plans for downtown Hartford discussed in class and on the web sites assigned for Tuesday, November 16. Then take a walking/driving tour of downtown Hartford using the map distributed in class. Pay particular attention to Adraien’s Landing, the Front Street site, the Riverfront, and the Civic Center. Based upon your reading and observation, do the proposed developments make sense to you? Explain why or why not? What suggestions would you make to state and city political leaders as to what should be done?

7. Read (in Newsweek November 22, 2004 issue): pp. 29-35 (“Life after Arafat”). Write a reaction. Based upon the reading, what do you see as the most important issues that need to be resolved with respect to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians? What do you see as the likelihood of achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict? Explain your position. Why is this issue important to the United States?

8. Read (in Newsweek, November 22, 2004 issue): pp. 32 (“The Hot Sound of Hate”) and 33 (“Rejecting the Next Bill Gates”). Write a reaction to each article. What are the major social and political issues raised in the readings?