Discuss a controversial topic related to the study of sociology that the US media is covering today.

Discuss a controversial topic related to the study of sociology that the US media is covering today. Describe the topic and why it is controversial.
Try to pick a UNIQUE topic – for example – NOT abortion rights, gun rights, NFL Kneeling, euthanasia, capital punishment, media violence, legal drinking age (ugh), marijuana legalization (ugh ugh), animal testing, vaccines, electoral college etc, etc, etc… these are not unique topics. If you are going to choose a topic that likely has been chosen by many other students (past and present), please go out of your way to provide unique perspectives on the cliché topic. Choosing something very current, innovative, and new is always a good bet. See below for more on choosing a unique topic.
Provide TWO opposing views regarding your controversial and current topic. Present each side as if your views line-up with the side being presented. The goal is to make it so I cannot tell which side you actually support. If you provide only one side of your chosen topic you will receive, at best, a 50 out of 100 on your term paper.
In between the end of your paper and the reference page include a ‘Reveal Section’, where you reveal your true opinions, the side of the debate you actually favor, and what you’ve learned through your research. Keep in mind, the main goal in this assignment is to argue both sides equally well. The reveal page should be no more than one-fifth, at most, of your total term paper length; the reveal page is less important than arguing both sides well.
A WORD ON SOURCES:
Evidence can take a number of forms – facts and figures, library research, social experiences. However, the strongest forms of evidence are going to come from peer reviewed social science journals. Less convincing is evidence marshaled from newspapers, news outfits, networks, magazines, and websites. When deciding on whether a source is reputable, follow typical conventions (and/or the media bias heuristic provided in Module 0). Major news outlets are considered more reputable than alternative media, but that doesn’t necessarily mean more correct, it means that less reputable resources require more and better evidence and argumentation if used as a source. Least convincing is personal social experiences (please do not include personal experiences in the body your term paper; personal experience is OK for the Reveal Section).
CITING YOUR SOURCES:
Make sure to provide citations for your evidence using the Chicago Manual of Style Format – Within the text cite like this: (Author, Date).
On Your Reference Page, your citations should look like this:
Author. Date. “Title of Article”, Title of Source. URL (if applicable). Publishing Company (if applicable).
APA style citation/referencing is also acceptable.
Quotations should never run for more than four sentences. The main point should be articulated in your own words with quotations merely providing support. Cite ideas as well. Cite any sources that have informed your work in any way. You can never go wrong by citing as much as possible while utilizing as many sources as possible.
HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR PAPER:
If you have read the directions for the assignment carefully, you know that the paper contains 5 basic sections.
BE SURE TO ORGANIZE YOUR PAPER AND LABEL THE SECTIONS OF YOUR PAPER AS FOLLOWS:
An ‘Introduction’ to your topic.
A ‘Pro Side’ regarding your topic that contains the best supportive arguments for a ‘positive’ view.
A ‘Con Side’ regarding your topic that contains the best arguments for a ‘negative’ view.
A ‘Reveal Page’ where you reveal the side you support and what you learned through your research.
A ‘Reference Page’.
NOTE – Reference Pages and Title Pages Do Not Count Towards Your Assigned Page Totals.

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