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American Dream DiscussionBoard Assignment
Grading Guidelines
Discussion Board # 1– After viewing the video and related material, I am asking you to respond to several questions. These are the guidelines that I will follow in grading your paper: See Discussion Information on Blackboard.
These same guidelines will be used on all of the discussion board (reaction paper) assignments.
Important–your paper (question responses) should be posted at least 3 days before the closing date for the assignment so that discussion can take place–this is why it is called a discussion board. You may use any source that you would like to support your view. Remember, I am asking your opinion about these questions but I want to know the facts that you are using to support those opinions. It is okay to change your opinion about things—it is not okay to change the facts.
One last point—and I feel strongly about this—everyone is entitled to their opinion and has a right to be heard. I will not tolerate any behavior (emails) that is not respectful to everyone in the class. We seem to going through a very strange period in this country where we have some who think that anyone who does not share their opinion has to be “shouted down.” A college classroom (even on-line) should be a place where ideas can be openly discussed and challenged. No one has a monopoly on truth. You will find me fairly flexible on most things but not on the right to be heard and respected.
I have attached the URL for the PBS video on this topic as well as some additional sources. You are invited and encouraged to review other sources on this topic. Please review all of these before you begin and use them to support your own conclusions.
Questions: Answer fully and in detail.
- How would you define the American Dream? How important is money as a measure of success?
- Is this idea unique to the USA? Is there a Canadian, British or Scandinavian dream? Was it originally intended to be unique to the USA?
- As individuals, do we have a right to expect certain things to be provided by the system, such as health care, education, minimum level of subsistence, food/ shelter, etc.?
- Is the American dream still a possibility for those who are new to this country?
- Is it still realistic to think about becoming wealthy in this country?
- How would you answer critics who say that the “American Dream” has become the “American Daydream” with hopes of a lottery win or TV show fame rather than hard work?
- What role—if any—should government assume in keeping the dream alive?
- The American Dream is almost impossible to separate from our work ethic…should we pay more attention to the non-work part of our lives? The Europeans say that we live to work and they work to live. Who comes closer to the ideal?
- Are you happier if you are wealthier?
This video is a bit dated but still provides wonderful insight into the development of the American Dream—especially after the Coronavirus and the unrest that has swept most of the country.
The video may require some time to buffer but there is also a written transcript below the viewing window.
Video:
http://billmoyers.com/segment/angela-glover-blackwell-on-the-american-dream/#.UEo1tzoYfLw.email
Articles:
Is the American dream really dead? (brookings.edu)
https://www.aei.org/economics/american-dream-mobility-opportunity-or-redistribution/
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/jun/20/is-the-american-dream-really-dead
Happiness and the Dream
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