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Entering the Conversation
Academic writing is about entering a conversation. To practice entering a conversation, we have selected articles from many different sources on eight different topics that are controversial today. Some of the sources will be strong arguments in favor of an issue or against it. Other pieces of the conversation may just be informative and provide you with necessary context. While there typically is one major issue in the debate, the readings do not focus exclusively on one issue in the debate—they may look at the issue from many angles, so you will have to consider where you stand and what new points you might bring to the conversation. Lastly, the debates presented below are not the whole story. They are just a start. There is much more conversation out there on these debates, and part of your task later in the class will be to research more of the conversation to help you prove your claims.
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Bail Reform
In our society, we are innocent until proven guilty at a trial. Until the trial happens, many states release the accused on cash bail. But what happens if you don’t have the money for bail? In this case, many low-income individuals are held in jail until their trial. Is this system fair? Some argue cash bail punishes poverty and exacerbates recidivism. Others argue it is a necessary system of accountability to keep truly dangerous criminals off the streets. Can we end cash bail, and, if so, what are possible alternatives?
Articles
Abernathy, L. (2018). Bailing out : The constitutional and policy benefits of community and nonprofit bail funds. Law & Psychology Review, 42, 85–102. https://advance-lexis-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/api/permalink/b7aef242-25bd-467f-8fed-f11719f1f431/?context=1516831
Bail reform and risk assessment: The cautionary tale of federal sentencing. (2018, February 9). Harvard Law Review. https://harvardlawreview.org/2018/02/bail-reform-and-risk-assessment-the-cautionary-tale-of-federal-sentencing/
Dobbie, W., & Yang, C. S. (2021). The US pretrial system: Balancing individual rights and public interests. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 35(4), 49–70. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=eoah&AN=58195917&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Frosch, D., & Chapman, B. (2020, February 10). New bail laws leading to release of dangerous criminals, some prosecutors say; After changes designed to make system fairer for the poor, some argue the changes needs to be scaled back. Wall Street Journal. https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/new-bail-laws-leading-release-dangerous-criminals/docview/2352642663/se-2?accountid=25320
Hunter, M. (2019, November 21). Law enforcement officials speak against bail reform laws, ask for pause. Spectrum Local News. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2019/11/21/law-enforcement-speak-out-against-bail-reform-laws
Kaste, M. (2021, November 25). There’s a backlash brewing against bail reform after the parade tragedy in Waukesha. NPR Special Series: Criminal Justice Collaborative. https://www.npr.org/2021/11/25/1059019616/theres-a-backlash-brewing-against-bail-reform-after-the-parade-tragedy-in-waukes
Latzer, B. (2018). Let them wear bracelets. National Review, 70(5), 18–20. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=128257243&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Mangual, R. A. (2020) Reforming New York’s bail reform: A public safety-minded proposal [Issue Brief]. Manhattan Institute. https://media4.manhattan-institute.org/sites/default/files/reforming-ny-bail-reformRM.pdf
McCoy, C. (2022, February 14). Don’t blame bail reform for a rise in violent crime—Just fix it. Bloomberg Law. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/dont-blame-bail-reform-for-a-rise-in-violent-crime-just-fix-it
Caring for the Caretakers: Burnout and Wellness
Doctors and nurses care for others, but how can they care for themselves? The Covid pandemic led to the widespread problem of burnout in the medical professions. But were there underlying comorbidities in labor, culture, or economics that the pandemic exposed? What are the symptoms of burnout? Can it be treated or prevented? What changes do we need to make in the medical profession to ensure life-long stability in the profession?
Video
PBS Newshour (2021, August 21). Health workers face ‘indescribable’ mental, physical exhaustion as COVID fills hospitals [Video and transcript]. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/health-workers-face-indescribable-mental-physical-exhaustion-as-covid-fills-hospitals
Articles
Anzaldua, A., & Halpern, J. (2021). Can clinical empathy survive? Distress, burnout, and malignant duty in the age of COVID‐19. Hastings Center Report, 51(1), 22–27. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hast.1216
Avino, K. (2022). From burnout to resilience: The journey of the walking wounded. DNA Reporter, Delaware Nurses’ Association, 47(3), 7. https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/burnout-resilience-journey-walking-wounded/docview/2683180209/se-2?accountid=25320
Berger, E. (2021, November 19). ‘I can’t do this any more’: US faces nurse shortage from burnout. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/19/us-faces-nurse-shortage-burnout-covid
Drenik, G. (2022). To address healthcare burnout and turnover, Health systems must invest in talent development. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/garydrenik/2022/10/06/to-address-healthcare-burnout-and-turnover-health-systems-must-invest-in-talent-development/?sh=6c99ff156f89
Grinspun, D., Perry, L., Abu-Qamar, M. Z., Stannard, D., & Porritt, K. (2022). Nursing crisis: Challenges and opportunities for our profession after COVID-19. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 28(3), e13075. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.13075
McSwane, J. D. (2020, December 30). “Those of us who don’t die are going to quit”: A crush of patients, dwindling supplies and the nurse who lost hope. ProPublica. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2474246393/citation/D463EFB06D574894PQ/1
Tolouian, A., Wholeben, M., & Rankin, D. (2022). Teaching mindfulness to mitigate burnout in a pandemic. Journal of Trauma Nursing, 29(1), 51–54. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=ccm&AN=154582868&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=natuniv
Communication in Relationships
Everyone, at some point, has experienced frustrations about communication in relationships. Much of the work of practicing psychologists, especially marriage and relationship counselors, focuses on facilitating healthy communication patterns. But does it work? Can people learn to communicate effectively? What are the most common issues in communication and how can couples learn to overcome them?
Videos
The School of Life. (2021, January 13). The three requirements of a good relationship [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/UOn9HVQdOGc
The School of Life. (2022, February 23). Which long-term relationships will survive and which won't [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/T_LSTPnVs70
Articles and Websites
Flora, C. (2014). Just say it. Psychology Today, 47(5), 52–61. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/just-say/docview/1554585444/se-2?accountid=25320
Johnson, S. (2017). Deciphering the language of love. Scientific American Mind, 28(4), 35–43. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.27102261&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=natuniv
Miller, A. (2013). Can this marriage be saved? Monitor on Psychology, 44(4). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/04/marriage
Moody. (n.d.) What's your love language™? [Online quiz]. https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
Schwarzbaum, S. (2022, August). It’s still unfair! Struggling to establish equitable relationships. Psychotherapy Networker, 46(4), 57–61. https://www.proquest.com/magazines/still-unfair-struggling-establish-equitable/docview/2688129345/se-2?accountid=25320
Homework
For much of the history of education in the United States, homework was an unquestioned part of student life. Yet, in recent years, there has been a lively debate on the efficacy of bringing schoolwork home. Do we need to get rid of homework entirely, reform it, or stick with tradition?
Video
Brook Lapping Productions (Producer). (2006). Homework [Video]. Teachers TV/UK Department of Education. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/homework
Articles
Baran, A. (2019). Home Improvement: Look at the historical role of homework in education, where we are today, and what schools need to consider as they evaluate their approach. Independent School, 78(2), 44–47. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=133868190&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Beach, M. (2015). Homework: Help or hindrance? Teach, 26–28. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=ehh&AN=101039754&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Bempechat, J. (2019). The case for (quality) homework: Why it improves learning, and how parents can help. Education Next, 19(1), 36–43. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=ehh&AN=133421905&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Fuhrman, D. R. (2021). Rethinking homework to focus on fluency: Data reveals that eliminating traditional assignments supports educational equity. Principal, 100(4), 44–45. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=ehh&AN=149164997&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Huicochea, A. (2016, September 11). Marana elementary begins second year of no-homework policy. Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ). https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/marana-elementary-begins-second-year-no-homework/docview/1818135296/se-2?accountid=25320
Vatterott, C. (2017). One-size-doesn’t-fit-all homework. Educational Leadership, 74(6), 34–39. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=eric&AN=EJ1132301&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=natuniv
Weir, K. (2016). Is homework a necessary evil? Monitor on Psychology, 47(3). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/03/homework
Zalaznick, M. (2018). Homework overhaul. Education Digest, 84(3), 29–32. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=132333833&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
The Housing Affordability Crisis
It seems the United States is always in a housing crisis. From the crash of 2008 to the pandemic bubble, why can’t we get housing right? What are the systemic issues that cause housing insecurity in the United States and what can be done to fix them?
Articles
2 reasons the US is in a major housing shortage, construction can't get done, and houses cost more than many Americans can afford. (2022, May 20). Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/2-reasons-the-us-is-in-a-major-housing-shortage-construction-cant-get-done-and-houses-cost-more-than-many-americans-can-afford/articleshow/91692382.cms?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Click_through_social_share
Adair, J. (2021). Affordable housing and not-in-my-backyard opposition. Realty Times. https://realtytimes.com/real-industry-news-articles/item/1041812-affordable-housing-and-not-in-my-backyard-opposition
Bach, T. (2019). Is Airbnb ameliorating—or exacerbating—inequality in cities? U.S. News - The Civic Report, C12–C15. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=136234894&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
California YIMBY. (2019, September 14). California YIMBY applauds passage of historic ADU legislation [Blog post]. http://cayimby.org/historic-adu-legislation/
National Association of Home Builders. (2021, November 4). New HBI report shows labor shortage weakening housing supply, affordability [Blog post]. https://www.nahb.org/blog/2021/11/new-hbi-report-shows-labor-shortage-weakening-housing-supply-affordability
National Association of Realtors (2021, November 3). Strategies for producing more housing [Blog post]. https://www.nar.realtor/on-common-ground/strategies-for-producing-more-housing
National Bureau of Economic Research. (2022, July). Pandemic-Induced remote work and rising house prices. NBER: The Digest. https://www.nber.org/digest/202207/pandemic-induced-remote-work-and-rising-house-prices
Rosen, K. T., Bank, D., Hall, M., Reed, S., & Goldman, C. (2021, June). Housing is critical infrastructure: Social and economic benefits of building more housing. Rosen Consulting Group. https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/Housing-is-Critical-Infrastructure-Social-and-Economic-Benefits-of-Building-More-Housing-6-15-2021.pdf
The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board. (2018, July 13). Short-term vacation rentals: Put residents first, San Diego. San Diego Union-Tribune. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=nfh&AN=2W63728301566&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Sisson, P., Andrews, J. & Bazeley, A. (2020). The affordable housing crisis, explained. Curbed. https://archive.curbed.com/2019/5/15/18617763/affordable-housing-policy-rent-real-estate-apartment
Zaransky, M. (2019, June 26). The affordability crisis, told by Chicago’s Two-Flats. Realtor Magazine. https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/commentary/the-affordability-crisis-told-by-chicago-s-two-flats
On Autopilot: Self-Driving Cars
The ever-promised flying cars of the future never arrived, but we are on the verge of another automotive revolution: the self-driving car. With Teslas already on the road and Google testing their autonomous vehicles, there are many questions about the impact of driverless vehicles. Self-driving cars bring up a surprising number of complex debates in technology, business, law, and even ethics. For instance, what if a car must make an ethical choice between killing its driver or running into a crowd of people? How do we program ethics into machines? Speaking of ethics, if we know self-driving cars will be much safer than cars driven by humans, should we allow humans to drive at all? Will self-driving cars disrupt driving jobs? How will they change society? And lastly, what company will win the race to self-automation. Will Kit from Night Rider become a reality, or is most of this primarily hype? Get behind the wheel and enter the conversation.
Articles
Dewey, C. (2018, March 13). Why the liquor industry wants to get self-driving cars on the road. The Washington Post. https://www.proquest.com/blogs-podcasts-websites/why-liquor-industry-wants-get-self-driving-cars/docview/2013392688/se-2?accountid=25320
Goodall, N. J. (2016, May 31). Can you program ethics into a self-driving car? IEEE Spectrum. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7473149 (click on PDF button to view full article.)
LaFrance, A. (2015, September 29). Self-driving cars could save 300,000 lives per decade in America. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/09/self-driving-cars-could-save-300000-lives-per-decade-in-america/407956/
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Automated vehicles for safety. https://www.nhtsa.gov/technology-innovation/automated-vehicles-safety#the-topic-road-to-self-driving (Note: See NHTSA- Levels of Automation)
Shladover, S. E. (2016). The truth about “self-driving” cars. Scientific American, 314(6), 52–57. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=115370469&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Siddiqui, F. (2019, November 11). What self-driving cars can’t recognize may be a matter of life and death. The Washington Post. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/2313471949?accountid=25320
Vella, M., and Steinmetz, K. (2016). The increasingly compelling case for why you shouldn’t be allowed to drive. TIME Magazine, 187(8), 52–57. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=113323729&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Yadron, D and Tynan, D. (2016, June 30). Tesla driver dies in first fatal crash while using autopilot mode. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/30/tesla-autopilot-death-self-driving-car-elon-musk
Our Threatened Oceans
If you have ever stood on the beach and imagined the incredible size of the Pacific Ocean, it is hard to believe that humans could affect something so massive; but it is undeniable that we are affecting our oceans in many ways. Around the world, billions of people depend on the oceans for food or their livelihoods. How do we balance the needs of people with the needs of the ocean? This topic is perhaps the broadest of any in the readings. The selected articles provide entry points into several important debates about our oceans—turbulent waters into which you may consider putting your oar.
Articles
Abarbanel, A. (2022, May). Can sushi survive? Bon Appétit, 67(4). https://www.proquest.com/docview/2677597515/citation/85891CFBDA1A4A19PQ/4
Bender, K. (2021, August 11). Seven reasons to be optimistic about the world’s oceans. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/seven-reasons-be-optimistic-about-worlds-oceans-180978398/
Braun, A. (2022, July 18). How indigenous sea gardens produced massive amounts of food for millennia. Hakai Magazine. https://hakaimagazine.com/news/how-indigenous-sea-gardens-produced-massive-amounts-of-food-for-millennia/?xid=PS_smithsonian
Hardt, M. J., & Safina, C. (2010). Threatening ocean life from the inside out. Scientific American, 303(2), 66–73. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=edsjsr&AN=edsjsr.26002133&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=natuniv
Holthaus, E. (2015, August 5). The point of no return: Climate change nightmares are already here. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/the-point-of-no-return-climate-change-nightmares-are-already-here-37626/
Kassam, A. (2022, July 20). Offshore fish farms: A new wave of food production… or the ‘wild west’ of ocean pollution? The Guardian. https://www.proquest.com/blogs-podcasts-websites/offshore-fish-farms-new-wave-food-production-wild/docview/2691904586/se-2?accountid=25320
Mississippi blues; Coastal erosion in Louisiana. (2017, August 26). The Economist, 424(9055), 33. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1953984741/citation/24DACA7F7F5E44A1PQ/6
Moore, P. (2016). The truth about ocean “acidification.” New Criterion, 34, 16–19. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=115933758&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Norton, K. (2022, February 17). A major Atlantic current is at a critical transition point. PBS Nova. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/amoc-shutdown-gulf-stream-climate/
Weiss, K.R. (2006, August 2). Altered ocean: Plague of plastic chokes the seas. Los Angeles Times. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/422061013?accountid=25320
The War in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has given the world a glimpse of what a major ground war looks like in the 21st Century. From the widespread use of drone warfare to the initial ineptitude of the Russian army to the ingenuity of the Ukrainian army and their leader—the war has had many surprises. Will the West and Ukraine band together to repel the invasion or will Russia prevail through brutality and superior resources?
Articles
Britzky, H. (2022, March 25). NCOs are the US military’s greatest strength — and one of Russia’s biggest weaknesses. Task & Purpose. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/russia-noncomissioned-officers-us-military/
Freedman, L. (2022). Why war fails: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the limits of military power. Foreign Affairs, 101(4), 10–23. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=157559851&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Galdorisi, G. (2024). Warfare is changing rapidly. Military Technology, 48(1), 42. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=176578233&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
How will the war in Ukraine end? (2024, Mar). New Statesman, 153, 28-32. https://www.proquest.com/central/magazines/how-will-war-ukraine-end/docview/2934559629/sem-2?accountid=25320
Johnson, R. F. (2024, Feb/Mar). Putin’s meat grinder: Two years and counting. Armada International, 1, 16–19. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=mth&AN=175309324&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=natuniv
Macmillan, M. (2023, Jul). How wars don't end: Ukraine, Russia, and the lessons of World War I. Foreign Affairs, 102, 52-56,58-65. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/central/magazines/how-wars-dont-end-ukraine-russia-lessons-world/docview/2835245757/sem-2?accountid=25320
Oliver, D. (2022a). Ukraine’s unmanned air war: UAVs are being used at the centre of air operations conducting ISTAR missions on a daily basis. Armada International, 3, 26–28. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=a9h&AN=157291054&site=ehost-live&custid=natuniv
Shinkman, P. D. (2022). How Russian corruption is foiling Putin’s army in Ukraine. U.S. News & World Report, C8–C12. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=bth&AN=158873526&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=natuniv
Sullivan, Patrick. (2022, April 8). Colonel Patrick Sullivan explains why Russia’s army commits atrocities. The Economist. https://www.proquest.com/magazines/colonel-patrick-sullivan-explains-why-russia-s/docview/2648273773/se-2?accountid=25320
Ward, M. (2022, September 14). Volodymyr Zelenskyy embodies resilience. It's one of multiple traits business leaders can mimic in tough times. Business Insider. https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/volodymyr-zelenskyy-embodies-resilience-one/docview/2714137539/se-2?accountid=25320
