Debating the Issues that Divide America Today

general courses

The people of the United States, as always, are deeply divided over a wide range of issues. This course will examine the most important and divisive issues in the United States today, how they became so divisive, the nature of the ongoing debate over these issues, how the conflicts affect American society, and the possible resolution of the conflicts. Some of the topics to be considered include growing economic inequality, continued poverty, economic stimulus and job creation, health care, environmental protection, clean energy, climate change, continuing racial and ethnic issues, immigration, education, guns and violence, the decline of the media watchdog, money in politics and the threat to democracy, voting rights, national security and civil liberties.

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?

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.

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.

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).