II. Problem-Resolution

Overview

Feel free to print out this entire Unit II, if necessary.

9/5 – 9/26

Identifying and writing alternative solutions to problems is a required skill set for most professions. It is also a common requirement in courses that prepare people for such professions. However, analyzing problems and selecting from among alternative solutions is also an ever-present part of everyday life, particularly within the climate of the rapidly changing features of today’s political landscape.  This unit provides practice in recognizing, describing, deconstructing and identifying solutions to problems embedded in current affairs. It also provides the opportunity to select a significant issue, analyze it, gather background information about it, and compose an essay that presents several alternative solutions.

Begin by analyzing the main and related problems posed in assigned readings and videos, using the “Problem-Statement Worksheet” below. Reference it while contributing to whole class discussions.

In the second part of the unit, select a problem related to the broad theme selected at the beginning of the term. Compose a three to five page essay that describes the problem, explains the significance of it, discusses ramifications of it, and briefly summarizes some alternative possible solutions to it. Use the “Problem-Solution Essay Planning Worksheet” during the initial brainstorming and organizing phases of developing the essay.

For more information on exploring problems and composing problem-solution essays, click on the links below.

• Exploratory Essays
• Problem-Solution Essays

The due dates for  the following readings and videos are listed in the Unit Calendar, at the end of this unit.

Readings

• Amar, Akhil Reed, “The Troubling Reason the Electoral College Exists
• The Sentencing Project, “Felony Disenfrancisement: A Primer”
• Gevirtz, Leslie, “Puerto Ricans Fight for Right to Vote”

Videos

• Agassi Shai, “A New Ecosystem for Electric Cars”
• Chiwewe, Tapiwa, “You Don’t Have to be an Expert to Solve Big Problems”
• Kaira Amit, “Three Creative Ways to Fix Fashion’s Waste Problem

Selecting Topics

Following are archives that contain in-depth treatments of a variety of problems and controversial issues. Inserting a few key words into their search engines will surface numerous articles related to such topics. The first set of resources below are general archives. The second set are archives that contain articles specifically related to themes that will have been assigned to small groups at the beginning of the term (environmentalism, immigration, racism, technology and women’s issues).

General Archives

• Opposing Viewpoints
• Wikipedia
• New York Times  Archives
• Al Jazeera Search
• British Broadcasting Company Archives
• Internet

Archives Related to Small Group Themes

• ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY: (Opposing Viewpoints)
• ENVIRONMENTALISM: (Jill Stein and Green Party )
• IMMIGRATION: 
• Democratic 
• Republican)
• Hillary Clinton
• Donald Trump
• RACISM: Black Lives Matter
• Technology
• Women’s March Platform

WORKSHEETS

Click on the links below to access the worksheets.

For Readings and Videos

INSTRUCTIONS: Use the following worksheet to analyze problems that are posed in assigned articles and/or videos [listed above]. Each article and each video contains at least one major problem. Complete one “Problem-Solution Worksheet” for each assigned article/video. Download the worksheet, complete it, save it onto your computer or thumb drive. One copy can be sent to the instructor for feedback. Another  copy can be printed out for use during whole class or small group discussions.

PROBLEM STATEMENT WORKSHEET

For Essay Planning

ESSAY PLANNING WORKSHEET

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: PROBLEM RESOLUTION ESSAY

By now, you will have selected a guiding theme for the term. For the Problem-Solution Essay, identify a problem related to that theme. Write a three to five-page essay about the problem that:

• describes the problem;
• explains the significance of it;
• suggests several possible solutions to the problem.

The essay should contain:

• a Thesis Statement and Itinerary.
• supportive details that reference at least two outside sources;
• references to at least one professional journal article.

Be sure include:

• at least three suggested solutions;
• in-text MLA citations;
• a Works Cited page.

Recommended Outline

1. INTRODUCTION
   1. Lead-in (Description of the Problem)
   2. Thesis Statement (Statement of the Significance of the Problem)
   3. Itinerary (Brief Statements of Three Possible Approaches to Solving the Problem)
2. BODY
   1. Discussion of Possible Solution #1
   2. Discussion of Possible Solution #2
   3. Discussion of Possible Solution #3
3. CONCLUSION (Summarizes Main Points of the Essay)

 

Unit One Schedule

Date		Topics		Assignment
8/29		Introductions Syllabus Introduction to OER Term Assignments, Class Participation		Review the course syllabus.
8/31		Thesis Statements, Sample Essay Outlines, Fact Checking Editing and Proofreading Thesis Statements, Sample Essay Outlines, Fact Checking Editing and Proofreading		THESIS STATEMENTS AND ITINERARIES REVISION FACT CHECKING PROOFREADING INTRODUCTION TO WRITING AS A PROCESS BRAINSTORMING THE BASIC FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAYS