I know that this is the last thing some of you want to see (especially the ten of you who still haven't done the first one), but I thought it was better to get it posted earlier...
Since we're almost done with our time together (sniff), I suppose it's time for the second of these. You do NOT need to use any resources outside of what we've referenced in class. (You can do outside research if you'd like, and you would, of course, cite any of it appropriately.) I'm again thinking somewhere between 500-750 words on each. If you go beyond two single-spaced pages on a question, you're doing too much (or using that huge font...)
These are due by FRIDAY, May 22nd.
I should say that I really enjoyed reading what you had to say on the last set of these. The "fixing" MPA question that most of you answered was particularly enlightening for me. I look forward to sharing some of those recommendations with colleagues.
No choice in the questions you pick from, but plenty of wiggle room in terms of where you take them... You do BOTH of these.
1. For most (if not all) of you, college will occupy the majority of the next four years of your life. I want you to project yourself ahead to your own college graduation day. Identify the three issues we covered this course that you feel will be most significant to your life at that time. In each case, please explain how you believe that issue will have changed during the intervening time between now and then. (Note that I am NOT requiring that the issue affect you DIRECTLY. For example, nuclear terrorism may well be very significant in your world without directly impacting you...)
To conclude this essay, please comment on whether you believe the 21st Century will be a more or less safe/desirable place from the perspective of the College Class of 2013 as opposed to the MPA Class of 2009...
2. We will have had seven "Great Decisions" presentations during the last two weeks of the course. I want you to choose one of the topics THAT WAS NOT YOUR OWN. I'm not asking you to do outside research, but you might find the "Great Decisions" website useful.
Assume that you have been made "The Great Decider." I want you to make policy recommendations for the United States on the issue that you chose. Your recommendations need not be consistent with the views of the current administration. Tell me what you believe "we" should do on this issue. You can certainly draw upon Friedman or other sources we consulted for this. (In several cases, you can make recommendations for other agents as well. For example, we should encourage the UN to do A, B, C.)
Again, this is intended to be very open, and your answer need not cover every possible aspect of the problem. You can take a broad, "policy" type of approach, or you can lay out very specific actions. I'm more interested in "What should be done?" as opposed to "What is going on?" We've already heard about the latter in the presentations.
Again, please ask me if you have any questions...
