Hi Jim, Try some of the papers in favor of complete legalization of all recreational drugs available from: http://www.drcnet.org/ and compare them to the articles on the same site dealing with mandatory minimums and the death penalty (under current laws, George Washington would have been executed by the Federal Government), particularly those in Singapore--a nation much admired by Bush for it's drug controls.
You might also want to examine some of the papers dealing with 9/11--or assign your class to see Fahrenheit 911 which has some TRULY scary ideas presented in it. Excerpts from "Mien Kampf," "The Mallus Malificarum," or Peter McWilliams "Ain't Nobodies Business if You Do," are likewise great (I used to use "Ain't" as my text for a class in social issues as it introduces so many controversial ones and documents them, and it's a VERY easy read [most students can read it over a weekend and will enjoy doing so]--it's the ONLY text I've ever assigned that students have told me had a waiting list of friends who wanted to borrow it after the class was done!). Hope these help. Rick -- Rick Adams Capella University School of Technology Grand Canyon University School of Social Sciences. Jackson Community College Department of Social Sciences [EMAIL PROTECTED] "... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're gone." -Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible" -----Original Message----- From: Jim Dougan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 11:41 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: Dangerous Ideas! >I suggest that top of the list should be the notion of "dangerous ideas" >as defined above. > >Allen Esterson (sigh) The title "Dangerous Ideas!" is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek , and I obviously borrowed it from Dennett. Admittedly, my definition was hurried and could be much improved. Lets try something like the following:(which I might have used as a course description had I been asked to write one): "Ideas are sometimes proposed that are so threatening to certain groups that the groups actively seek to suppress the study and dissemination of those ideas. Historical examples include communism, the heliocentric theory of the solar system, and evolution. Recent discussions have centered around such issues as religious fundamentalism, cloning, stem cell research, behavioral and genetic engineering, and gay marriage. The present course will examine some of these "dangerous" ideas. We will examine the conditions under which an idea can truly be considered dangerous - if indeed such conditions exist at all." So, in essence, the class is looking at the philosophical fact/value problem by examining some controversial issues. The course is all about writing and critical thinking - the topic is just intended to give them something to think and write about. -- Jim P.S. Thanks to everyone for the topic suggestions. I could still use some suggestions for readings - typically short, pithy chapters or articles that clearly present the issues yet are accessible to bright first-year students. --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
