Step 1: Pick a Topic
You will identify an example of 21st century science/technology that either arguably oversteps ethical boundaries or has yielded unwanted consequences. Consider some of the topics we’ve discussed in class. Aim for something that you haven’t researched before, is relevant to a field of study that you plan on pursuing in the future, or something that is personally important or relevant to you. (You can’t choose abortion, the atom bomb, cosmetic surgery, or another broad, common topic.)
Examples:
- 3D Printing
- GPS Technology
- Genetically modified foods
- Military robots
- Drones and surveillance
- CRISPR/genome editing technology https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/embryo-gene-editing-experiment-reignites-ethical-debate/
- Facial recognition software theweek.com/articles/737750/how-facial-recognition-technology-creeping-into-life
- DNA technology
- Social media www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/05/smartphone-addiction-silicon-valley-dystopia
- AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- Encryption technology
- Driverless Cars www.radiolab.org/story/driverless-dilemma/ The New Yorker 2013 article on driverless cars
- Audio and Visual media manipulation www.radiolab.org/story/breaking-news/
- Smart Homes (Alexa, Nest, etc.)
- Robot Factory Workforce theweek.com/articles/723258/when-new-coworker-robot
- Chatbots futurism.com/a-facebook-ai-unexpectedly-created-its-own-unique-language/
- Vaping http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A412232400/HWRC?u=mlin_m_walthamel&sid=HWRC
- Bitcoin http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?gwurl=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A515945446/GIC?u=mlin_m_walthamel&xid=ada5648a http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?gwurl=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A517848133/GIC?u=mlin_m_walthamel&xid=f370080a
Step 2: Do Research
Instructions: Do some research to familiarize yourself with the information that’s out there, and the opinions people have about this topic. Use the databases listed below - NOT GOOGLE. You should have 4 sources max, 2 for each side of the topic. Your research will be evaluated and graded based on the ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY that you submit along with your editorial and op/ed.
Some reputable news sources
The Atlantic (www.theatlantic.com)
The New Yorker (www.newyorker.com)
Texas Monthly (www.texasmonthly.com)
Time (www.time.com)
Newsweek (www.newsweek.com)
The Economist (www.economist.com)
The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com)
The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)
The New York Times (www.nytimes.com)
The New York Times Magazine (http://www.nytimes.com/section/magazine)
New York Magazine (www.nymag.com)
The Washington Times (www.washingtontimes.com)
Esquire (www.esquire.com)
Vanity Fair (www.vanityfair.com)
The Baffler (www.thebaffler.com)
Longreads (www.longreads.com)
Longform (www.longform.org)
Arts & Letters Daily (www.aldaily.com)
The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/us)
Aeon (https://aeon.co/)
Vox (https://www.vox.com/)
National Review (http://www.nationalreview.com/)
Annotated Bibliographies
What is an annotated bibliography?
Annotated Bibliography Examples
Annotated Bibliography Samples
Instructions: Do some research to familiarize yourself with the information that’s out there, and the opinions people have about this topic. Use the databases listed below - NOT GOOGLE. You should have 4 sources max, 2 for each side of the topic. Your research will be evaluated and graded based on the ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY that you submit along with your editorial and op/ed.
Some reputable news sources
The Atlantic (www.theatlantic.com)
The New Yorker (www.newyorker.com)
Texas Monthly (www.texasmonthly.com)
Time (www.time.com)
Newsweek (www.newsweek.com)
The Economist (www.economist.com)
The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com)
The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)
The New York Times (www.nytimes.com)
The New York Times Magazine (http://www.nytimes.com/section/magazine)
New York Magazine (www.nymag.com)
The Washington Times (www.washingtontimes.com)
Esquire (www.esquire.com)
Vanity Fair (www.vanityfair.com)
The Baffler (www.thebaffler.com)
Longreads (www.longreads.com)
Longform (www.longform.org)
Arts & Letters Daily (www.aldaily.com)
The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/us)
Aeon (https://aeon.co/)
Vox (https://www.vox.com/)
National Review (http://www.nationalreview.com/)
Annotated Bibliographies
What is an annotated bibliography?
Annotated Bibliography Examples
Annotated Bibliography Samples
Step 3: Create Content
As your final product, you will be creating a fake online newspaper that presents both sides of the controversial issue with an editorial and a competing op/ed piece. Each piece should be roughly 500-750 words.
Persuasive Writing
What is an Op Ed?
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/school-libraries/how-write-and-place-op-ed-piece
Example of Op Ed
https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/sample_op_ed.pdf
Newspaper Templates (Make a copy of the one you want to use)
As your final product, you will be creating a fake online newspaper that presents both sides of the controversial issue with an editorial and a competing op/ed piece. Each piece should be roughly 500-750 words.
Persuasive Writing
What is an Op Ed?
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/school-libraries/how-write-and-place-op-ed-piece
Example of Op Ed
https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/sample_op_ed.pdf
Newspaper Templates (Make a copy of the one you want to use)
