SYNTHESIS GROUPS AND TOPICS
4th PERIOD: (17 people)
--Amanda C, Raymond C, Sarah K, & Angel L -- The food we eat--safe or
dangerous
**SARAH K. THESIS--Although the use of chemical pesticides was intended to
effectively protect crops against harmful insect pests, some people have
denounced the practice as a harmful danger to the natural environment and to
the consumer’s health.
**ANGEL L. THESIS--Although the FDA sets standards for food quality, many
times these standards are not met, resulting in food recalls
**RAYMOND C. THESIS--Although researchers aver that vegetables are essential
to the human body, many people worry about deadly bacteria that can arise in
certain harvests.
**AMANDA C. THESIS--Although restaurants are requred to follow certain safety
regulations and insepct food frequently, some argue that restaurant chains
provide mass-produced cuisine that may defy these regulations.
--Jahlinda J, Hailey D, Kat V, Marissa W--The way we're educated--pros and
cons of testing for teacher merit and student success
**KAT V. THESIS--While some people accept the existing standardized exam and
explicit score required to be a certified teacher in the state of Florida,
some people question the accreditation.
**HAILEY D. THESIS--Although ESE program is designed to offer gifted and
disabled students the chance to learn in an environment that suits them, some
people believe that it makes them unable to perform well in the real world
**JAHLINDA J. THESIS--While teacher workshops are popular avenues for
improving teaching skills, some people claim they fail to raise students'
substandard test scores.
**MARISSA W. THESIS--Although keeping track of a student's academic progress
by standardized testing is important for graduation, many think that the
tests are too stressful and unnecessary
-Megan E, Brittany K, Clint, & Oliver O--The playground of Dubai--a future
fantasyland or a potential failure
**BRITTANY K. THESIS--Although the playground of Dubai holds many potential
employment opportunities, its possibility of failure could have the opposite
effect-- severe job losses.
**CLINT D. THESIS--While the rampant growth of Dubai has stimulated the
economies of many regions in this time of worldwide recession, some worry
that the growth will ultimately lead to an economic downturn for Dubai,
neighboring regions, and investing countries.
**OLIVER O. THESIS--Although many claim that the ground-breaking construction
projects going on in Dubai are far too high in cost, others believe that the
revenue they bring in will quickly make up for the expenses.
**MEGAN E. THESIS--Although 7 million tourists visited Dubai last year, and
15 million tourists are expected to vacation in Dubai in 2010, others worry
about the country's $59 billion debt.
--Bethany G, Emalee W, Olivia G, Brooke N.--The use of monitoring devices—a
way of keeping people safe or an invasion of privacy
**EMALEE W. THESIS-- While traffic cameras were designed as a safety feature
to curb red-light runners, some people consider them invasive, an
unnecessary intrusion into their private lives.
**OLIVIA G. THESIS--While online monitoring programs were created to protect
our personal data and files, some people have found them invasive, taking
extremely personal information from their computer.
**BROOKE N.THESIS--Even though some authorities view phone tapping as a
crucial way to protect the citizens of the United States, citizens often see
it as meddlesome and an invasion of privacy.
**BETHANY G. THESIS--Although surveillance cameras have been installed in
department stores in order to prevent shoplifting and other dangerous crimes,
many people see them as an invasion of privacy.
BY DEFAULT: Matt N (working solo) -- Federal Housing Authority: worth the
risk in low morgage loans or not
**MATT N. THESIS--Although the FHA requires potential home owners to meet
strict requirements to get a loan, many banks and morgage brokers are able to
defraud the system in order to increase their profits.
======================================================
5th PERIOD: (16 people)
--Shakira S., Jennifer B., John S, & Parker O.--The future for global
warming--serious or hype
**SHAKIRA A. THESIS--Although the melting of our polar ice caps appears to be
threatening the existence of Arctic animals, some assert that the situation
is not as dire as predicted.
**JENNIFER B. THESIS--While some scientists' warn about the Ozone hole in the
atmosphere, others claim the concept is an exaggeration to emphasize the
global warming controversy.
**JOHN S. THESIS--Some think lying about the numbers in the global warming
data was immoral and the scientists involved are not to be trusted, while
others believe they are justified by ultimately trying to achieve a cooler
earth.
**PARKER O. THESIS--While many computer climate models conclude that humans
are the main cause behind the rise in average global temperatures, some
people believe other variables contribute to the temperatures.
--Katie W, Kevin L, and Valerie JB--Our responses to terrorism-- stretching
the Constitution or remaining too lax
**VALERIE JB. THESIS--Although wire tapping is an effective way to hinder
terrorism, some people argue that it is a superfluous invasion of privacy.
**KATIE W. THESIS--Although President Obama has just unveiled a new strategy
to fight terrorism in Afghanistan, some critics assert that the cost of war,
both monetary and in human lives, is too great to continue any further
**KEVIN L. THESIS--While many see the recent increase in airport security an
unnecessary burden, it has become the norm to ensure the safety of flight
passengers.
--Leah G, Emily W, Bethany S, and Liz T.--Technological innovations --
improvement for society or bad influences
**LEAH G. THESIS--Although the development of intricate computers has proven
beneficial, given such features as rapid information processing and
widespread communication capabilities, some people condemn these complex
machines for dulling the intellect and promoting inactivity among many
adolescents.
**LIZ T. THESIS--Although a substantial increase has occurred the last three
years in the sales of music players, such as MP3s, IPods, and CD-Roms, an
increase in harmful behaviors and habits among users also has surfaced.
**BETHANY S. THESIS--Though video games are often viewed as harmless means of
fun and, in some ways, somewhat advantageous, others see them as a waste of
time, as well as a detrimental influence on young minds.
**EMILY WH. THESIS--While some people think of television as an educational
tool and a provider of wholesome entertainment, others see it as a potential
hazard to a person's health and morals.
BY DEFAULT:
--Lauren, Morgan C, & Shay--Genetic engineering--morally acceptable or going
against nature.
**LAUREN A. THESIS--While recent developments in gene therapy have shown
promising results, some people are concerned about unintended consequences.
**Shay T. THESIS--While gender selection expresses parents' freedom of
choice, some people believe that the procedure challenges nature and is
therefore unethical.
--Emily Bow. & Megan D.--Our nation’s copyright laws and the Orphan Works
Act – reviving important material with outdated Copyrights or impinging on
the rights of artists and writers
NO INDIVIDUAL THESIS STATEMENTS RECORDED
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????/
=================================
6th PERIOD: (13 people)
--Caroline P, Brooke G, Rhia A-- Our justice system-- keep changing
penalties for similar crimes or deliver the same punishment to avoid bias
**RHIA A. THESIS--Although most are brought to justice for commercial crimes
and are charged with jail time or fines, others receive impunity through plea
bargaining or the shields provided by co-workers who trust them.
** BROOKE G. THESIS--Although some citizens feel it is appropriate for state
law to be biased based on certain factors when determining punishments,
others believe it is better to have equality in penalties for similar crimes
within specific states.
**CAROLINE P. THESIS--Although consequences for juvenile crime are stringent,
application of these consequences can be discretionary
--Corinne T, Jeremy S, & Erika W.--Legalization of now-illegal drugs--a path
to abuse or a help to society
**CORINNE T. THESIS--Although the justice system has been fighting for years
to take drug users and dealers off the street, some think the battle may be
an expensive failure-- not worth the time, money, or violence.
**JEREMY S. THESIS--While marijuana is a potent drug which is highly
effective in allaying a patient’s pain and suffering, medical personnel fear
that the drug also substantially damages people's health.
**ERIKA W. THESIS--Although the economic revenue will benefit on both federal
and state levels with the legalization of drugs , the risk of society having
a high consumption. ????????????????? NOT FINISHED
--Emily A, Audra J, & Julia D.-- The stance on obesity--an insignificant
habit or a life-threating disease
**EMILY A. THESIS--Although some scientists blame child obesity strictly on
genetics, some studies have shown that children's diet may have a greater
impact on the severity of their condition.
**JULIA D. THESIS--Although many researchers have discovered long-term health
benefits in stomach stapling, others emphasize the dangers from negative side
effects.
AUDRA--NO THESIS ???????????????????????????????????//
BY DEFAULT: Sam S, Ken P, Kiki B --The Second Amendment and gun ownership
law -- for regular citizens or just for militia-like forces
**KIKI B. THESIS--Although many people want to protect themselves from
personal danger by owning a gun, others fear that ownership may be used as an
excuse for criminals to access weapons.
**SAM S. THESIS--While some say the law forbids citizens from carrying a
concealed weapons, others argue that people, for protection, should have the
right to possess and conceal them
**KEN P. THESIS--While hunters and others who use guns for recreation argue
that gun ownership is imperative for their hobbies, critics argue that it
leads to the infringement of gun ownership law or hunting restrictions.
==============================
7th PERIOD: (23 people)
--Emily Bourg, Amalia F, Laura H & Maria C--Recent technological advances--
improving or defacing today's society
**EMILY BOUR. THESIS--Though some feel that the media exposes too much
potentially harmful information to the public, others believe that as
citizens, they have the right to know government decisions and actions taken.
**AMALIA F. THESIS--While the military has made keeping secrets from the
public a routine, many people argue that they have a right to know everything
as it takes place rather than be blinded by the lies they're fed through the
news.
**MARIA C. THESIS--Although the revolution in digital music has promoted new
artists and allowed for faster, easier, access to music, some say that it is
easier to pirate music, and for artists to not receive credit for their music.
**LAURA H. THESIS--Although some say that the Kindle, an electronic reading
device, boosts reading and makes it easier, others argue that the Kindle
despoils the archiving system of books, may reduce selections, and may affect
reading comprehension.
--Mary H, Sophia H, Olivia C, & Keidra L.--Sports--are they too intensely
competitive or beneficial to mental and physical health
**MARY H. THESIS--Although some consider high school sports an opportunity to
become healthier and get in shape, others see them as detrimental to
teenagers' health, causing more physical harm then good.
**KEIDRA L. THESIS--Although some consider sports an opportunity to become
healthier and get in shape, others argue that sports can cause more physical
harm than good.
**SOPHIA H. THESIS--Although some people believe that high school sports may
help teenagers learn to deal with intense situations, others fear that sports
actually can add unnecessary stress.
NO THESIS FOR OLIVIA C.??????????????????????????????/
--Alyssa W, Nathan C, Brooke D-- The media involvement in society--intrusion
into privacy or rights for public entertainment
**BROOKE D. THESIS--Although online dating and networking sites are an
entertaining and easy way to meet others, some people argue that the pitfalls
of such sites put people at risk.
**ALYSSA W. THESIS--Although the media keeps people connected with their
favorite celebrities, some people are concerned that some celebrities
standards and behaviors will adversely affect those who follow them.
**NATHAN C. THESIS--Although the entertainment industry thrives on watching
the lives of those famous and undistinguished alike, some people worry that
the fine line between entertaining accounts and meddlesome exploitation may
be crossed.
--Roman, Janean, & Colleen A.--The benefits of outsourcing--cost-efficient or
damaging to local marketing
**ROMAN R. THESIS--While outsourcing customer service jobs overseas may be an
inexpensive option available to large corporations, some experts say that it
reduces work opportunities for the American labor force.
**JANEAN B.THESIS--Although many applaud the frugality of having imported
goods manufactured in other countries, others fear that they are hurting the
country's economy by taking away jobs from Americans.
**COLLEEN A--While outsourcing provides inexpensive labor and money for
developing countries, it expands the wealth gap because of the lower pay that
workers receive compared to American laborers.
--Kanika M, Courtney M, & Kaitlin Mc--Experimental medical research--risky
testing or a way to cure
**KAITLIN MC. THESIS--Although associations like the American Cancer
Foundation have frowned upon the use of alternative cancer therapies such as
ozone and sodium bicorbonate treatments, many reasearchers have found these
methods to be unsurpassed in their effectiveness.
**KANIKA M. THESIS--While some believe that psychological testing done on
human subjects can vastly improve our knowlege of the human mind, other
people find this type of experimental research to be full of damaging risks
**COURTNEY M. THESIS--Although the medical need for new drugs to treat
mutated bacteria is growing at an exponetial rate, some people believe that
antibiotic research should follow more stringent testing and may be harmful
to the public.
--Lindsey S, Ajay M, Trey I, & Russell M -- Nuclear energy--the benefits or
the dangers
**LINDSEY S. THESIS--While nuclear energy reduces pollution caused by burning
fossil-fuels, some people consider it deleterious, an energy source that
causes harm to civilians and the environment.
**RUSSELL M. THESIS--While some people label nuclear energy as unsafe and
damaging to the environment, others assert that modern advancements have made
it safer.
**AJAY M. THESIS-- While many believe that the security for nuclear
technologies is more than adequate to deal with today's threats, others say
that we need much more.
**TREY I. THESIS--Although some scientists think that research in nuclear
fusion would be a waste of money, some believe that if they are able to use
this process successfully, nuclear fusion could become a valuable source of
energy.
BY DEFAULT: Tommy D. & Alexia--Government bailouts--rebuild the industries
or a waste of resources
**TOMMY D. THESIS--Although many people believe that the bailout of the
automobile industry was hazardous to our crumbling economy, others attest
that a myriad of positive outcomes have evolved from this move.
**ALEXIA R. THESIS--Although many US citizens believe that it is necessary
for the government to fund insurance bailouts, others believe that the
government’s distribution of money to insurance agencies is a waste of
resources.
=================================================================
CLASS JOBS--AP LANGUAGE *NOTE: Some of these still are tentative,
and you can cross over in performance of your duties. Let me know if you can
add on any of the places with a "N/A."
4th PERIOD:
POLITICO--N/A
SOCIAL WORKERS--Hailey D. and Emalee W.
SAS PATHWAYS PERSON--Sarah K.
FOLDER PERSONS--Oliver O. and Angel L.
LIBRARY/SIGN-OUT--Oliver O. and Angel L.
COPIERS--Bethany G, Brittany K, and Brooke N.
PRINTERS for student needs--Same as above
HYGIENISTS/ORGANIZERS--Kat V, Marissa W, Sarah K.
INTERNET RESEARCH--N/A
WEB PAGE ASSISTANTS--Olivia G. and Marissa W.
BULLETIN BD.--N/A
SCRAPBOOK--Megan E.
TECHNICIANS/COMPUTER GURU--Clint D.
PHOTOGRAPHER—Megan E.
TUTOR--Oliva G.
ERRANDS--Matt N. (Jahlinda J. as back up)
MAINTENANCE PERSONS--Clint and Raymond C.
JACKS OF ALL TRADE--Jahlinda J and Amanda C.
5th PERIOD:
POLITICO--Jennifer B.
SOCIAL WORKER--Megan D. **Liaison for all 4 classes ??
SAS PATHWAYS PERSON--N/A
FOLDER PERSONS--Katie W. and Emily Wh.
LIBRARY/SIGN-OUT--Emily Bow. and Liz T.
COPIER--Lauren A.
PRINTERS for student needs--Same as above
HYGIENISTS/ORGANIZER--Morgan C.
INTERNET RESEARCH--N/A
WEB PAGE ASSISTANTS—N/A
DOOR GREETER/EVENT PLANNER--Valerie J-B
BULLETIN BD.—Shay T
SCRAPBOOK—Morgan C
TECHNICIANS/COMPUTER GURU—N/A
PHOTOGRAPHER—Morgan C
TUTOR--N/A
ERRANDS--Shakira S.
MAINTENANCE PERSON--Parker O.
JACKS OF ALL TRADE--Leah G, John S, Kevin L, and Bethany Sch, Oliver O
6th PERIOD:
POLITICO--Audra J.
SOCIAL WORKERS--Caroline P.
SAS PATHWAYS PERSON--Caroline P.
FOLDER PERSONS—Audra J.
LIBRARY/SIGN-OUT--Brooke G.
COPIERS--Emily A
PRINTERS for student needs—Emily A
HYGIENISTS/ORGANIZERS--Emily A.
INTERNET RESEARCH--Erika W.
WEB PAGE ASSISTANTS--N/A
BULLETIN BD.--Julia D.
SCRAPBOOK—RHIA A.
TECHNICIANS/COMPUTER GURU--Jeremy S.
PHOTOGRAPHER--Julia D.
TUTOR--Kenneth P.
ERRANDS--Caroline P.
MAINTENANCE PERSONS--Sam S.
JACKS OF ALL TRADE (will help folder person and librarian)--Summer K, Kiki B,
Rhia A, Corinne T
7th PERIOD:
POLITICOS--Maria C. and Alexia R.
SOCIAL WORKERS--Amalia F. and Colleen A.
SAS PATHWAYS PERSON--Kanika M.
FOLDER PERSONS--Keidra L. and Roman R.
LIBRARY/SIGN-OUT--Sophia H. and Janean B.
COPIERS--Kanika M, Olivia C, and Mary H.
PRINTERS for student needs--Same as above
HYGIENISTS/ORGANIZERS--Courtney M, Lindsey S, Trey I, and Brooke D.
INTERNET RESEARCH--N/A
WEB PAGE ASSISTANT--Russell M.
BULLETIN BD.--N/A
SCRAPBOOK--Emily Bour.
TECHNICIANS/COMPUTER GURU--Russell M.
PHOTOGRAPHER—Laura H.
TUTOR--Laura H.
ERRANDS--Alyssa W (Trey I. as back up)
MAINTENANCE PERSONS--Tommy D. and Ajay M.
JACKS OF ALL TRADE--Nathan C, Mary H, and Kaitlyn Mc.
