There are stories every so often in the news about a nurse or personal care assistant ending the life or lives of patients. Instead of helping the people they are charged with caring for, these professional caretakers end the lives of those who are unable to care for themselves. Occasionally there are stories such as the one in Monday's edition of the Times Leader in which a local couple fall victim to a murder/suicide. An otherwise devoted husband of 60 years shot and killed his wife, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, before ending his own life. While these examples do not include the consenting opinion of cognizant adults, every day thousands of people around the world suffer from terminal illnesses, knowing that their time is coming to an untimely end. Do the people suffering from such diseases have the right to choose when to end their suffering? Was the devoted husband who shot his wife saving her from her suffering? These are but a few things to think about as you blog about this question:

"Is Euthanasia Immoral?"

Minimum: 450 words
First Response: Due Thursday at midnight
2 Follow ups due by Sunday at Midnight.

Please include page numbers in your citations, as well as a clear introduction, body with supporting arguments and conclusion.

15 points total

As  we know from previous chapters, women in the United State had very traditional roles to fill in society. It wasn't until World War II and the introduction of Rosie the Riveter that women began to expand their collective horizons beyond these limitations. We've explored whether or not women should stay home with their children. Now we turn our attention to boys and men in American society for this week's blog.

RESPONSE:
         ARE BOYS AND MEN DISADVANTAGED RELATIVE TO GIRLS AND WOMEN?

Minimum: 450 words
First Response: Due Thursday at midnight
2 Follow ups due by Sunday at Midnight.

Please include page numbers in your citations.

15 points total

As we move onto the chapter concerning Prohibition, the question of whether the government should be regulating the drugs that we ingest remains.  Certainly alcohol is legal today within certain parameters but what about other drugs?  Read your issue packet and answer the prompt below.

Due: Thursday at midnight (450 words)
Follow-ups due: Sunday at midnight (150 words each)
Include word count at end of each post.  Use examples from readings to support your conclusions.  Proper spelling, grammar, and usage required for full credit.

This week we take a different tact in writing our blogs.   Instead of receiving a pre-selected reading assignment you will be tasked with researching the Occupy movement, and commenting on it.  


Assignment:  Write a 450 word essay.  Essay must address the following items:  1) Origin of Occupy movement; 2) major demands of Occupy protesters; 3) specific examples of government response to the protests; and 4) your opinion on whether the Occupy protesters should be supported or stopped.   Be as thorough as possible.

ESSAY MUST LIST YOUR SOURCES (MINIMUM OF THREE SOURCES REQUIRED)

Due: Thursday at Midnight
Follow-ups due by Sunday at Midnight 

This week we take a different tact in writing our blogs.   Instead of receiving a pre-selected reading assignment you will be tasked with researching the Occupy movement, and commenting on it.  


Assignment:  Write a 450 word essay.  Essay must address the following items:  1) Origin of Occupy movement; 2) major demands of Occupy protesters; 3) specific examples of government response to the protests; and 4) your opinion on whether the Occupy protesters should be supported or stopped.   Be as thorough as possible.

ESSAY MUST LIST YOUR SOURCES (MINIMUM OF THREE SOURCES REQUIRED)

Due: Thursday at Midnight
Follow-ups due by Sunday at Midnight 

Immigration:  It's a major issue in America today.   Everyone seems to have an opinion of the subject.  This week it's your turn to weigh in.  Read the Issue 3 Packet and answer the following prompt.

Question:  Is Third World Immigration a Threat to America's Way of Life?

Initial Response Due:  Friday at Midnight

Minimum Length:  450 words, follow-ups due Sunday by midnight at 150 words or more each

The institution of slavery was a negative mark on the history of the United States.  As a nation, we've never really come to terms with that part of our past. In 2011, thousands of Southerners celebrated the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War by having parties and balls.  The Confederate flag can still be seen in many places despite its status as arguably the greatest symbol of rebellion in the Civil War era.  Yet, what do we do about African-Americans who were freed after centuries of bondage?  Many have argued that blacks should be compensated for approximately 250 years of free labor.  Others say that they should let it go because it happened too long ago.  Who is right?  Is a debt a debt and it should be paid no matter what or can we ignore it if enough time passes?

We learn in Chapter 12 that General William Sherman issued an order granting 40 acres of land and a mule to freed blacks on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia.   That order was rescinded by President Andrew Johnson.  Blacks cried foul.  Do they have a case?

Read the links below and answer the question below.    All essays are due by Thursday at Midnight.  MINIMUM WORD COUNT IS 450 WORDS.  WORD COUNT MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE END OF YOUR ESSAY.   You are required to select at least two of your classmates' responses and reply to them.  MINIMUM FOLLOW-UP LENGTH IS 150 WORDS PER FOLLOW-UP.

All essays must be proofread and checked for errors prior to posting.  If you do not understand something it is your responsibility to look it up or check with me during school hours. 

Question:  Should African Americans receive reparations for being enslaved for 250 years?  Why or why not?  (YOU MUST USE INFORMATION FROM THE READINGS TO SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER.  FAILURE TO ADDRESS THE READINGS WILL RESULT IN POINT REDUCTIONS)

Total Points: 15