annotated bibliography

The primary source that I found most useful was the Boston Globe newspaper which provided very useful information about the local high schools spike in athletic fees. It made me realize a huge point in my paper which is the fact that family caps (one flat rate for families who have more than one kid playing sports) were eliminated. I found this by simply going to boston.com which is the website for the Boston Globe. This article put it into perspective how serious this issue is and how some schools have unsuccessfully dealt with this problem.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/framingham/2010/06/framingham_school_committee_in.html

Annotation- Investors Against Genocide

Investors Against Genocide. Web. 06 Mar. 2011.
http://www.investorsagainstgenocide.net/



This site serves as a primary source document because it contains a wealth of information on the issue of the genocide, specifically the Darfur Genocide. It is operated and funded by the organization Investors Against Genocide and provides information and resources for those who want to explore genocide-free investing. The organization's web site offers commentaries on the conflict in Darfur and identifies the companies that are financially involved with Petrochina, which provides arms to the Sudanese government in exchange for oil revenues. The site highlights the issue, describes the major players involved, and offers solutions on how people can ensure their investments are not tied to genocide. To support their cause, Investors Against Genocide offers statistics, white papers, as well as transcripts from meetings with companies tied to the genocide. The purpose of the site is to provide the tools necessary to stop companies such as Fidelity from continuing to invest in genocide. To that end, the site allows visitors to submit a universal shareholder proposal for divestment to their respective mutual fund companies.

Primary Source

The primary source I found to be very helpful when starting my research on animal abuse was the PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, organization. Using this website I was able to gather information upon the issue of animal abuse as well as how this organization works in order to help victimized animals and to prevent future unnecessary acts of cruelty from occurring. PETA provided a solid starting point for my research, and from there I was able to branch out and find the area of animal abuse I was interested in as a concentration point.

http://www.peta.org

primary source

I found a primary source using the google scholar website. I found the website for Michelle Obama's campaign. This website will be very useful to me. It discusses issues to help schools and how you can become more aware on how to help the problem. It also talks about what obesity is and all the health issues that can come about if a child is not eating healthy. One idea I found interesting was planting a school garden. It would be planted on the school grounds and the kids can grow their own vegetables or fruits. This way the kids would always be eating fresh food. The websites also gives good ideas on how to keep active.

http://www.letsmove.gov/

Primary Source

I found my primary source by using the google scholar search engine. It gave me a plethora of articles to look at and the one I first decided to read through focused on the potential impacts marijuana would have on the American youth. The articles looks at how marijuana is used, how easily accessible it is, and compares its usage to underage drinking and cigarette smoking. The article took me in a good direction because I was originally just focused on marijuana for medicinal purposes but decided to broaden my topic to the legalization of marijuana.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/113/6/e632

Annotated Bibliography- Distracted Driving

I found my source by typing in "distracted driving" into Google. There was a ton of different sites but I figured that, the first one was the best choice because the site is by the government. This site helped me because it gave me many statistics about distracted driving as well as different types of possible solutions. It also helped me broaden my topic from just being cell phone use while driving, to eating and drinking while driving.

http://www.distraction.gov/

Issues regarding accessibility for the disabled

Switzer, Jacqueline. Disabled Rights, American Disability Policy and the Fight for Equality.
Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2003.

Jacqueline Switzer's book discusses extensive information dealing with disability issues in the United States. The author presents current scholarly research dealing with politics and changes in the disabled rights in America. Topics included are social and political activism, the American with Disability Act, and the vision of equality. This book includes a comprehensive list of books for further research. It also gives references to nongovernmental disability organizations. Switzer has a great deal of knowledge and background on the disabled rights and disabled policy.

annotative bibliography-deforestation

The primary source I found allows me to learn more information about how deforestation impacts the environment and how it contributes to global warming. It allows me to understand how it is impacting the weather and climate change. I found this source through our school's library website.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=19&sid=a311bef7-5eaa-489b-b2cd-ab557

Annoted Bibiography- Health Care

The website I found is a primary source from Google by searching history of health care. This website will be useful to me because it shows a detailed timeline of the changes in health reform from 1912 to 2010. The source also shows pictures historical events in health care reform that will be help understand more about it. http://www.kff.org/

Decriminalization of Marijuana

A potential topic that I would like to pursue is the issue of the decriminalization/legalization of marijuana. The battle for the decriminalization of marijuana has been fought for years now and, slowly, progress has been made. Some people see marijuana as being unhealthy to the brain and lungs as well as a "gateway" drug to more dangerous and hallucinative drugs. Others find it to be helpful in the field of medicine, while others find joy in the pure recreational use of the drug, finding smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol to be more dangerous than smoking a plant. The issue of legalization and decriminalization has been raised numerous times on ballets all over the country and small steps have been taken, such as the decriminalization here in Massachusetts.

Homelessness

Without the proper housing, schooling, and jobs, homeless people are set up to fail in life. We need to figure out a way to get these people off the streets and into adequate housing just so they can get their lives back together. The government needs to come up with a way to fund housing, create jobs and get the kids in poverty into schools that will benefit Most people that come over to the United States from different countries think that it's a privilege to live here, but almost all homeless people would disagree. Homeless people in rural america have whole lot more trouble finding housing since the population is not as great as in the suburbs.

Drugs

When it comes to drugs, it is a well known fact that more than half the population has either experimented with drugs or are addicted to one drug or another. In this day in age, even over the counter drugs can be considered dangerous and addictive. Although many people don't consider it a drug, alcohol can be just as addictive as heroin and causes problems for many individuals and their families. Some find it unfair that the drinking age is 21 even though that by the age of 18 a young man can be sent to war but he cant enjoy a beer. The decriminalization of marijuana that was recently passed may go to show that in the future the government may want to tax the drug and make more money which would boost the economy. Though there is much speculation about what could happen if more drugs were decriminalized, it may be better to send a drug user to rehab instead of instantly throwing them in jail with no hope of recovering or overcoming their addiction. This will just result in them being let back out onto the streets with the same drug problem they were convicted with in the first place.

Gun Control

In light of the recent shootings in Arizona, I think gun control is certainly an issue we should address at some point this semester. One of the main issues surrounding that incident was the shooters ability to apprehend the firearm with a history of mental instability. As a fair portion of our country lobbies for the doing away of all firearms, but searching for a happy medium is something we could look at. Guns in our country are without a doubt an issue, but the solution remains up in the air. I think it may be a stretch to say we, as a class, will be able to come up with a resolution, nonetheless it is a important issue surrounding social change.

Deforestation

I would like to look into the topic of deforestation. Deforestation is causing so many changes on our planet. Deforestation is destroying so many homes leaving them to have no where to go. Deforestation is done primarily so that humans can build more houses or developments to bring in more economy but at the same time it is destroying so many trees, which are giving us oxygen so that we can breathe. Trees also help to shade and cool areas of land not to mention that they help to make all the paper products we use on a daily basis. If deforestation continues to happen not only will there be no where for animals who live in forests to go but there will start to be less oxygen and if the trees aren't planted back then there will be nothing to make paper from. I think that this topic is very important for humans to be aware of but it is not talked about too much so many people are unaware of the consquences deforestation brings especially if it continues to happen.

Immigration

Immigration in America has been an extremely controversial topic for many years. I've always been very interested in this particular topic because if my parents were not immigrants I would not be where I am today. I feel this is an interesting topic because not only does it show our awareness and appreciation to what our families did for us, but makes us aware of the many challenges they had to go through to become part of this society.

Social Stereotyping

One topic I think is really crucial to discuss is social stereotyping. We can see many examples of stereotyping in today's media, such as television shows, movies, and magazines. Does media encourages us to think of these stereotypes? I think a good way to discuss this topic is become aware of the many stereotypes we are exposed to through the media. You'd be surprised how many stereotypes you have heard

Animal Abuse/Neglect

Animal abuse and neglect are ongoing issues in the world today and are topics that I am thoroughly interested in learning more about. According to The Humane Society of the United States, some extreme measures that are commonly taken by animal abusers are stabbing, beating, shooting, and even setting animals on fire, which can be defined as active cruelty. Neglecters tend to completely do without caring properly for the animal, this is known as passive cruelty. The people who treat animals this way are usually mentally ill and not only do they mistreat the animals, but are likely to harm other people as well. Pets are often used as forms of comfort to humans, in fact, 98% of Americans consider their pets to be companions to their family, according to the American Humane Association. This is an issue I believe to be incredibly important and am anxious to begin researching further.

Capital Punishment

I think capital punishment is definitely an issue that could be examined in this course. Capital punishment in the modern era encompasses the death penalty, carried out different ways in different places. Already this year in the United Sates four people have been put to death via lethal injection. The death penalty is an extremely polarizing topic which causes heated debate amongst many groups of people. Often times, the people sentenced to death have committed horrific crimes for which death looks like the only fair retribution, but there are cases when things are not black and white. In my mind, there is nothing scarier for the criminal justice system than carrying out the execution of an innocent man. Having recently read the John Grisham non-fiction book The Innocent Man, I found the process by which the death sentence is handed out very interesting. With this topic, I would like to investigate the fairness of death penalty trials as well as alternatives, such as life imprisonment, where a mistake could eventually be corrected

Youth Violence

I am thinking of pursuing the social issue of youth violence. Youth violence involves youths and criminal acts. In the recent years there has been a sharp increase in youth violence that leads to criminal acts in urban areas. Between 1985-1992 the juvenile homicide arrest rate, the juvenile homicide victimization rate, the number of juvenile homicides involving guns, and the rates of murder committed by 15- and 16-year olds increased by more than 100 percent. Also the rate for all the arrests for nonwhite youths for drugs has doubled in the past 10 years. The more youths carrying weapons, makes other adolescents think that it is OK to carry weapons for their safety. There has to be a different way to make youths feel safe in the cities without the use of weapons.

The Influence of Professional Athletes on Youths

As sport fans, we follow athletes that succeed in their sport and commitment to the game. Once in awhile athletes who are idolized get in trouble with the law, such as inappropriate behavior on the field, committing violence and involvement in drug abuse. These actions do not set a positive example for those who look up to these athletes. One group of individuals who are easily affected by this are children due to their young minds. Children who value the world of sports have players that they would dream to model, such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Lebron James. Famous Athletes, such as these, set an example for children helping them strive to succeed in a given sport. If an athlete does not exhibit appropriate behavior, youth athletes may get the idea that the behavior is acceptable within the sport. This would be a interesting topic when observing social change because people that we model such as professional athletes have the capability to influence us. Whether its learning how to play a particular sport or idolizing them as an individual. Todays youth is an easy target for this because a majority of their knowledge comes from those who are older.

Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is defined as the infliction of suffering or harm upon animals for purposes other than self defense. The reasoning behind animal cruelty can be defined as many things. Some owners of pets neglect their animals or they cause the animals to suffer or they harm them. Also, animal cruelty can be associated with illegal hunting and poaching. This issue obviously affects the animals but it also affects the law enforcements because they then have to deal with the owners of the abused animals and also the associated issue of illegal hunting and poaching. The ASPCA is the most well-know organization that "works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide." I would like to help local communities to become more educated as to how to report animal cruelty and also how to look for suspicious behavior. Once one community becomes more educated it can be shared throughout other communities as well. The more everyone is aware of this issue the more we can help.

Investors Against Genocide

I'm considering covering the genocide in Darfur as a potential topic. I would focus my study on the ethical dilemma of mutual fund companies indirectly investing their money into the genocide. Companies such as Fidelity invest in Petrochina, the largest oil and gas distributor in the world. Petrochina has been accused of using its financial resources to arm militias in Darfur in order to protect their interests in the region. Many companies around the world invest in Petrochina, making it a powerful global conglemorate with a wide range influence. The goal of Investors Against Genocide is for the "divestment" of American mutual fund companies from Petrochina. They champion the idea of non-violent, genocide-free investing and make a concerted effort to keep people apprised of the ongoing conflict. So far, the organization has experienced success in persuading companies such as TIAA-CREF and IAG to withdraw their investments in Petrochina.

This is a topic I have explored in previous coursework, but only on the surface. I feel that in order for me to truly understand what is going on and effectively communicate it to a general audience, I must make a cautious effort to undertake more in-depth research. What interests me the most about this topic is the collision of moral and economic interests. Given the way the economy has been in recent years, even the most morally sound people would be hesitant to withdraw from their respective mutual fund company. The companies that both my parents work for have retirement funds that are managed by Fidelity, Investors Against Genocide's main target,but they can't just be expected to risk my family's financial future. Both of their employers require them to invest in Fidelity for their 401K's. Many companies have such policies, giving people little choice to have a say in the matter of ethical investing. It is a lot to expect people to risk jobs and financial stability by withdrawing their investments. This is why Investors Against Genocide has encouraged people to submit shareholer proposals requesting genocide-free investing. These proposals have proven to be effective and serve as the main reasons why TIAA-CREF and AIG withdrew their investments in Petrochina. They believe that people should have the right to decide where there money goes. This is a profound and challenging topic to consider, but I'd like to tackle it because I truly believe in the good that can result from the actions of organizations such as Investors Against Genocide.

Gay/ Bisexual/Transgender

Same sex marriages have become more common today. More states are trying to get it legalized more and more everyday. Massachusetts happens to be one of the states that allows these marriages to happen. Marriage equality has caused some serious issues around the world, yet in some places gays and bisexuals are looked down upon. Some can not live freely and be the full person they are. In 2009 the Employment Non-Discrimination Act was passed. It ensures equality in the workplace for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We've seen it on episodes of the Real World, with people feeling uncomfortable living with a gay person and on America"s Next Top Model,with a transgender trying to become a model. We've heard about the suicides people have committed because they were being made fun of or discriminated against. Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgenders have become apart of our world today, but have to face a series of issues because they are different.

Potential Topic-McNeil

A potential topic that I would like to pursue is the issue of the decriminalization/legalization of marijuana. The battle for the decriminalization of marijuana has been fought for years now and, slowly, progress has been made. Some people see marijuana as being unhealthy to the brain and lungs as well as a "gateway" drug to more dangerous and hallucinative drugs. Others find it to be helpful in the field of medicine, while others find joy in the pure recreational use of the drug, finding smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol to be more dangerous than smoking a plant. The issue of legalization and decriminalization has been raised numerous times on ballets all over the country and small steps have been taken, such as the decriminalization here in Massachusetts.

social security

Issue: social security
Social Security is federal system that provides benefits such as to retired, unemployed and disabled Americans to help support them finically.
The economic situation that America is today makes the security of social security for many retiring people weak. The benefits a retired person would get has been lowered and the age to receive benefits has been raised. This is a result of the booming unemployment rate today and the disabled rate because of the war. These people have worked most of their lives and have been paying for social security with every paycheck, however, they may never see that money. If this is happening to retired people now, what going to happen to the middle age and young adults of America who are still working and depending on the security of social security benefits later in life? Will America ever get the economic statis to fix this problem?

Welcome

I developed this course because I am passionate about social justice issues. I decided, however, to use the term "social change" instead because I'm sensitive to the characterizations of "social justice" as a buzzword for intolerant liberal politics. Understand that I don't for a moment buy into this characterization: Social justice means just that--everyone deserves respect and the opportunity to be a full contributing member of society. We all have different perspectives on how that ideal can be achieved, and in this class you have the opportunity to act on your perspective.

Today, because we aren't able to meet face-to-face, please engage in discussion of the issues that you might address in your projects. You should have a couple of issues that you've identified as possible topics; please discuss those issues in TWO comments to this posting. Consider such things as how the issue is defined, how different people perceive the issue, whom it affects, how it has been addressed to date, how you might address it. And please, once everyone has made one comment, use your second comment to address something someone else has said.

Off we go!