A look at this process, designed to mainstream young people and adults with disabilities into society. Persuasive research paper in favor of inclusion in schools.
1,962 words (approx. 7.8 pages), 10 sources, 1999, $ 62.95
From the Paper "Five and a half million children in schools today can be categorized as disabled. This counts for 11-12% of the school population. Additionally, the US Department of Education spends at least thirty billion dollars annually on special education, which accounts for 22% of total education spending (Staples 64). Inclusion, though not defined by law, is commonly known as the process by which young people and adults with disabilities and/or handicaps are mainstreamed into society. It is an attitude/belief system rather than an action or set of actions. As defined in Richard A. Villa and Jacqueline S. Thousand's book, Creating An Inclusive School, inclusion is "a way of life, a way of living together, based on a belief that each individual is valued and does belong" (6). Inclusion has provoked strong and often differing opinions within both general and special education. Critics disagree with the expected success of inclusive practices. However, inclusive education creates a sense of community, promotes equality in the classroom, and provides strategies to include learning disabled students successfully. Therefore, inclusion is beneficial to all students and must be recognized as educational reform that will result in a successful organizational change toward inclusion."
Abstract The following paper discusses the reasons why smoking should not be allowed in public places. The writer expresses his strong views against smoking and proposes that laws be passed to protect non-smokers from smokers.
From the Paper "Smoking vs. nonsmoking in a public area; should people be allowed a choice? I think smoking in public places should not be allowed. Imagine sitting in a public place, unable to enjoy the air you are breathing due to the cloud of smoke coming from the person sitting near you. The fact that smoking is allowed has put the smoker and the nonsmoker in an uncomfortable situation. Being uncomfortable for the smoker is by choice, but the nonsmoker has no choice and this is why it shouldn't be allowed. We weren't made for smoking and neither was our environment."
From the Paper "Each year millions of animals are killed due to animal laboratory testing. We take for granted that our medicine, shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics will not poison or blind us, cause our hair to fall out, or skin to blister. The rats, rabbits, dogs, and other animals, however, do have to undergo these symptoms. Experimenting on animals is very popular in medical labs where they are trying out new drugs. Many people feel that animal testing is necessary to ensure safe medicines, cosmetics, and other products. Most people believe that a lab animal would have the same reaction that a human would have to a chemical; however, this is where people are wrong."
From the Paper "Capital punishment is one of the most controversial topics among Americans today. Since every person has their own opinion on the topic, either for or against, the question always raised is "Is it morally right?" However, to many death penalty abolitionists, the answer is very clear -- capital punishment is morally and ethically wrong. Not only do human beings not have the right to take a life of another individual, but innocent people are being executed, and the race of the accused clearly plays a factor in whether or not the death penalty is sought. The only solution to protect the innocent and minorities from an extremely flawed system is to issue a moratorium on executions, even for the most heinous and despicable of crimes. In a judicial system where prejudices, hate, and political pressure play a large role, deciding whether a person should live or die cannot not be left up to other individuals who are as human and as fallible as those they are sentencing. "
Abstract This paper is an argumentative essay promoting the legalization of same-sex marriages. The author focuses on the legal aspects of same sex marriages arguing for the legal rights such as insurance and parental status that need to be enforced.
From the Paper "The proposed legalization of same-sex marriages is one of the most significant, yet controversial issues facing America today. Same-sex marriages, also known as Civil Unions, should be legalalized in every state in the United States. Right now, in the United States, same-sex couples do not receive the same benefits and legal rights that married couples take for granted. These benefits include cheaper health insurance rates, life insurance benefits, funeral leave of absence from work, legal parental status with a partner's child, and significant tax reductions."
Tags: civil, gay, homosexual, marriages, rights, unions, sex
Abstract This paper reviews Christopher R. Browning's "Ordinary Men," and its analysis of Nazi soldiers that murdered innocent civilians in the holocaust. The paper shows the methods used by the soldiers to rationalize their actions even though many of them were morally opposed to what they were ordered to do.
From the paper:
"It is understandably commonplace to refer to Hitler as a monster, as inhuman. It is also, by extension, equally commonplace to refer to the Nazis who obeyed him as monsters as well. Yet before the implementation of the madness that was the "Final Solution" in Germany and Eastern Europe, these Nazi soldiers were human beings like ourselves, individuals who lived in a world only a half-century or so before ours. They made ethical decisions on a day-to-day basis. They were ordinary men, according to Christopher R. Browning, who committed acts of extraordinary cruelty. The thesis of his book, appropriately titled 'Ordinary Men,' provides a less comforting view of the foot soldiers of the Holocaust than is tempting to take. But it is ultimately more ethically illuminating?these men were not monsters, Browning suggests, they were ordinary men who provide an example for us all how low we can sink if we are not vigilant in resisting the evil that exists around us."
Abstract This paper questions the racial profiling by the American government towards Arabs and Muslims. It argues whether this should be allowed during these times of uncertainty due to September 11th since they are at war with terrorism where the members of the Al Qaeda, a militant Arab group, are the only subjects.
I. Background and definition of racial profiling
A. Overview of September 11th
B. Korematsu vs. U.S. Supreme Court case
C. Current suspects caught due to racial profiling
D. Thesis statement
II. Disagreements about racial profiling
A. Innocent suspects
B. Racial discrimination
C. Other ways to catch the terrorists
III. Racial profiling is helpful in the war against terrorism
A. Terrorists try to blend in with society
B. Every suspect has been Arab and Muslim
C. Faith in the U.S. Military
D. Military protection
IV. Racial profiling and citizens
A. Racial profiling should be left up to the government
B. The government is trained to deal with racial profiling- ordinary citizens are not
C. Living our lives in fear lets terrorism win
From the Paper "Racial profiling is when someone is treated differently because they belong to a specific race. After the tragic events of September 11th of 2001 U.S., government and airport officials have targeted Arabs and Muslims as suspects of future terrorist action. Racial profiling has been going on for generations. During World War II the Japanese living in the U.S. were placed in military observation zones in California due to their Japanese ancestry after Pearl Harbor was bombed in December of 1941. The legal matter was argued in the Supreme Court in the case, Korematsu v. US. The young Korematsu's argument was based on the unfair ?imprisonment in a concentration camp solely because of his ancestry, without evidence or inquiry concerning his loyalty and good disposition towards the United States.? The United States case later goes on to claim: Korematsu was not excluded from the Military Area because of hostility to him or his race. He was excluded because we were at war with the Japanese Empire, because the properly constituted military authorities feared an invasion of our West Coast and felt constrained to take proper security measures. ?. Congress, reposing its confidence in this time owar in our military leaders?as inevitably must-- determined that they should have the power to do just this."
Abstract This paper examines Elijah Anderson's "The Code of the Streets" which introduces the idea that violence, aggression, stealing and other socially deviant behaviors are not perceived as infractions of rules, but rather conforming to a different standard, a different set of rules. Anderson does an adequate job of setting forth his ideas, along with providing sufficient evidence to support them. It criticizes Anderson's perspective of street families and decent families when he describes inner city life and his portrayal of abusive mothers who beat their children and let them run riot.
From the Paper "The contrasts between street families, and decent families are not always easily observed. As Anderson points out, most street families appear on the surface to be decent families. (Anderson, p. 157) The appearance of having "calm, respectful children" is often what the mother wants most, more than happy children. (Anderson, p. 157) Her desire for such a family is often so strong that she is "quick to beat her children"if they defy her law.? (Anderson, p. 157) Anderson concludes that this abusive behavior is often perceived as acceptable behavior within the inner city the disapproval from the wider society as a whole. (Anderson, p. 157)"
Abstract This paper argues for stricter gun control laws, citing several recent incidents with guns, statistics, and suggestions for change.
From the Paper "The second amendment ensures "the right of the people to keep and bear arms". People should have every right to think, judge, and act for themselves, but not all people do this in the most responsible way. When immoral, irrational, or unethical decisions are made, the government needs to intervene. Inside the home, one should be able to do what he wishes on his property, but even there, an invisible line must be drawn. For the good of the whole, people need to abide by certain laws, and when those lines are crossed, the government has to step in to protect its people."
Abstract This paper looks at the book, "Girl, Interrupted," which is the autobiographical account of Susanna Kaysen's life just after her graduation from high school in the late 1960s. The movie, is an adaptation of the book. The author reviews both works, which deal with a woman with borderline personality disorder, one of the most common, and misdiagnosed types of mental illness facing women.
From the paper:
"Another anecdote from the book that meets the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is Susanna's dissociative episode. One day while simply sitting in a chair in the common room at the hospital, Susanna had the random notion that she had no bones in her hand. Susanna instantly, and for no apparent reason, became completely convinced that there were no bones in her hand. She was thus immensely disturbed and resolved to bite down on her hand until it bled in an attempt to get all the way down to the bone. Susanna felt as though she must see her bones to know that they are there and she refused to take anyone's word for it. This psychotic episode seems as though it may also be tied to a feeling of emptiness."
Abstract The paper asserts that the main theme of the novel is cross-cultural barriers and problems faced by immigrants in America. The paper discusses the psychological causes underlying the difficulties that immigrants, especially from Eastern countries, experience in integrating into a new society. The paper explains that while Western immigrants accept their new culture and assimilate relatively easily, Eastern immigrants resist assimilation. The paper summarizes the book and analyzes the cross-cultural miscommunication demonstrated by the family disagreeing with the established medical community as to the true nature of their child's illness and its causes.
From the Paper ""The Spirit Catches you and you fall down" is an extraordinary piece of writing in which various issues have been woven together in the style of investigative journalism by the editor of the "American Scholar", Anne Fadiman. The story revolves around issues of cross-cultural medical practices and miscommunication that often leads to tragic circumstances."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the benefits and requirements of recycling. The author argues that recycling is a necessity for the preservation of resources. The paper include an analysis of recycling in different countries and the advantages that are provided.
From the Paper "For almost 30 years the United States has been actively recycling. We recycle 27 percent of our solid waste. A figure doubling the effort made in 1988. The space we have here on earth is unvarying. The earth will never get larger and the air we breathe is not going to become unnecessary anytime soon. For the sake of our grand children we must preserve our resources. We can no longer ignore the voice telling us to find a special bin for that soda can. The only thing we can hope for is that the World will all participate as one. Recycling is a lifestyle and many may need to change so we can all reap its benefits. Recycling is vital to the future. It will insure that our great grandchildren have an earth that is inhabitable."
Abstract The paper begins by looking at arguments for the use of steroids in sports. It quotes Barry Bonds, a major league baseball player who has no reservations about the use of steroids in sports; as well as Ken Caminiti, who won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1996. It lists the arguments of the proponents of steroid use. The paper then turns to study the side effects of steroid use and the reservations held by opponents of using drugs in sports. The paper concludes with the writer's personal opinion on the topic.
From the Paper "Should athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs in order to improve their performance? Steroid usage in sports has long been a big issue for many athletes both professional and amateur. Steroids are not condoned in any sport however; some athletes do take the chance by using performance-enhancing drugs in order to increase the chances of a successful outcome in a competition. Many athletes have been barred from participating in certain sports because they were convicted of taking steroids. In light of this, one can only wonder how many top athletes have won events due to the use of steroids. There are many sides to the debate of whether or not athletes should be able to use steroids. Despite health reasons there are quite a few people who do believe that athletes should be allowed to use performance-enhancers. On the other hand, there are those who believe that steroids should not be used."
Summary and discussion of "Fast Food Nation" and its commentary on how the fast food industry has shaped and defined American society and the society of other nations.
Abstract This paper explains the premise of Eric Schlosser's book, "Fast Food Nation", which argues that the fast food industry is representative of American culture and that this culture is exported abroad, often to the detriment of the target nations. The paper looks at Schlosser's discussion of the myriad problems in the fast food industry and the ways in which this industry has altered American society and may alter society around the world.
From the Paper "The icon that represents fast food culture for most people is McDonald's, though the fast food culture developed long before the creation of that restaurant chain and includes many other practitioners. Schlosser considers the impact of such fast-food chains but also considers the primacy of the hamburger in the American diet and some of the dangers it poses. The spread of McDonald's around the world has been decried by many as exporting some of the worst of American culture."
From the Paper "Until 1925, many states combined juveniles and adults into one criminal court. But by 1925, almost every state had created some type of separate court specifically for juveniles (ACLU 1 of 3). Now, despite the fact that federal statistics indicate a decrease in violent crimes committed by juveniles, most states have made it easier to try juveniles in adult criminal courts (Should 2 of 4). This recent change in law has sparked a large debate. Should children be tried as adults in criminal courts? The answer lies in the question. No, children should not be tried as adults. First of all, there are too many circumstances that should be taken into consideration before determining in which court a juvenile should stand trial and there is no definite, concrete method for doing so. Secondly, children should not be tried as adults for the simple fact that they do not have the same reasoning abilities as adults. And thirdly, the idea that the children deserve to be punished for their actions is absurd. Children are young and impressionable and therefore deserve the opportunity to be rehabilitated, not jailed for life. However, the present statutory laws disagree with those opinions. Currently, all 50 states allow juveniles to be tried in criminal courts under some type of situation (Griffin 1)."
