Exam 3, debriefing

multiple- choice .21 x 57 =

12 possible pts.

Essay............8 possible

pts.

Exam Point BreakdownExam I essays, 4 pts.; multiple choice, 16 pts.Exam II essays, 6 pts.; multiple choice, 14 pts.Exam III essays, 8 pts.; multiple choice, 12 pts.Exam IV essays, 10 pts. multiple choice, 10 pts.

Expository Style:Expository Style:

Opening paragraphOpening paragraph

Body; closingBody; closing

Proper GrammarProper Grammar PunctuationPunctuation

Tense, spelling, etc.Tense, spelling, etc.

RhetoricRhetoric-- terms; conceptsterms; concepts

LogicLogic-- examples; statistical supportexamples; statistical support

EfficientEfficient-- brief, concisebrief, concise

EffectiveEffective-- clearclear

Essay Guidelines –continued-

• Proper Citations- adhere to APA referencing system

Example:

The sociological imagination concept

refers to….” the ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society” (Kendall, 2008: pg. 5).

- appearing at the end of your essays, is a bibliography section).

E S S A Y Q U E S T I O NThere are a number of significant demographic trends (i.e., population shifts) extant in the U.S. which is altering the population mix in the U.S.

Discuss 3 of these major trends; addressing 1 salient cause of and 1 major social consequence for each of these 3 trends.

The Population Trends

Identified in the following 2 slideshare posted slides

Demographic Trends/Changes:

Overall Population

Minorities,

White

Urban Growth (Chapter 19)

Younger

Older

Social Consequences:

• Tax Burden

• Crime Rates

• Social Entitlement Programs (i.e., Medicare, Social Security) will require modification (i.e., mean’s testing)

• Minority Group Presence

• Poverty & Disability

Immigrants

Differential

Birth rates:

Minorities

Less educated Family

Service Economy; Agriculture

Baby Boomers,

Differential Health Care Access & Life-style choices

Evolving into Democratic/Socialistic Gov’t Framework

Example; Excellent 3rd Essay prepared by a former student; received full credit(i.e., 8 pts.)

The United States is the third largest populated country in theworld and accounts for 4.6% of the world’s total population.

It is expected that in the next few years that this country’spopulation will reach twice the size and as a result of

significant demographic trends extant in the U.S. the

population mix will be considerably different from what it is

today (Shrestha, 2006). Social Scientists working in the field

of demography, which is a subfield of Sociology that

examines the population size, compositions, and distribution,

have learned through research that the age composition,

racial and ethnic diversity, and urban growth will be three of

the contributing trends that will impact the population mix of

this country. These trends will present significant

consequences on society and put extensive strains on the

economy, thus impacting the tax burden imposed on the

citizens. (Kendall, 2008 Chapter 12, 19).

During the last 25 years the United States has been in the midst

of a profound demographic change: the rapid aging of its

population, as reflected by an increasing proportion of persons

aged 65 and older. A major contributing factor to this phenomenon

is the fact that Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and

1964) are moving into middle age. The number of citizens age 65

and older increased significantly between 1980 and 2000. Today a

much larger percentage of the US is over the age of 65 and

according to the US Census Bureau about 20% of the population

will be age 65 or over by 2050. The population of people over 85

has been growing particularly expeditiously and is one of the

fastest growing segments of the population. This group is

expected to double in size between 2000 and 2025 and will reach

20 million or 5 per cent of the population (Kendall, 2008 pg. 384-

385).

As biological research on aging continues, new discoveries in genetics may

eliminate life-threatening disease and help discover early identification of other

diseases possible (Kendall, 2008 pg. 411). Unfortunately, along with the

increase in life expectancy, the average number of years that a group of people

born in the same year could be expected to live, a financial strain will be put on

our government. Elder issues such as assistance for in-home care services;

availability for medical services for preventative care, chronic illness, and

disability; and housing for older persons will be the focus of many political

debates. A 1994 government report warned that entitlements are growing so

rapidly that they will consume nearly all federal tax revenues by 2012. This will

result in leaving the government without funds for other vital issues. John

Danforth, a former senator and member of the commission cautioned, “There

will be no money for national defense, for law enforcement, for the environment,

or for highways” ((Kendall, 2008 pg. 410). The graying of America will not only

impact our population mix significantly but will present many financial

challenges for our country, contributing to our already huge tax burden.

The United States is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse largely as a result of the movement of

people into the country, commonly referred to as immigration. Every year more than 1 million people,

mostly from Latin America and Asia, flock to this country. They come both voluntary and involuntary in

response to various pull or push factors. Pull factors at international levels, such as a democratic

government, religious freedom, employment opportunities, or a more moderate climate may entice many

immigrants to voluntarily come to this country. Conversely, various push factors for example: international

unrest, violence, war, famine, and natural disaster may also encourage people to leave their homeland

and relocate in the United States (Kendall, 2006 pg. 632). Many undocumented workers seek to enter the

United States so that they can work and obtain better quality of life for themselves or their families

(Kendall, 2006 pg. 627). The influx of these illegal aliens is not without serious socioeconomic

consequences. One far reaching outcome as a result of their incursion into the United Sates is the series

of serious hidden medical consequences that has transpired. To start with, American hospitals welcome

anchor babies, illegal alien women come to the hospital in labor and drop their little anchors, each of

whom pulls its illegal alien mother, father, and siblings into permanent residency simply by being born

within our borders. Anchor babies are instantly qualify for public welfare aid, thus adding additional strain

on the economy. Between 300,000 and 350,000 anchor babies annually become citizens because of the

Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and

subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside. The

free medical care of anchor babies, as well as the healthcare required by this segment of society as a

whole, has degraded and closed some of America’s finest emergency medical facilities, and caused

hospital bankruptcies. Furthermore, uninsured people receive medical care in hospital emergency

departments under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1985 (EMTALA), which

obligates hospitals to treat. Also unseen is the percentage of the uninsured who are illegal aliens. No one

knows how many illegal aliens reside in America. For instance, if here are 10 million, they constitute

nearly 25 percent of the uninsured. The percentage could be even higher. In the state California alone, 84

hospitals have been forced to close their doors. Furthermore, many illegal aliens harbor fatal diseases

that American medicine fought and vanquished long ago, such as drug-resistant tuberculosis, malaria,

leprosy, plague, polio, dengue, and Chagas disease. America’s inadequate federal border enforcement

permits massive daily border penetrations that violate the integrity of our medicine. (Cosman, 2005).

Yet another contributing trend that will alter our population mix will be urbanization, the process by

which an increasing proportion of population lives in cities rather than in rural areas of this country

(Kendal 2208, pg. 11). This pervasive trend is not only becoming prevalent in the United States but

can be observed world wide. Two hundred years ago only about 3 per cent of the world’s population

lived in cities, as apposed to 50 percent today. It is expected that by 2050 that the world population

will swell to the point that two out of three people in the world will live in urban areas by 2050

(Kendall 2208, pg. 642). The Industrial Revolution was a key factor for the change made in the

nature of the city in this country. Factories began being built as production shifted from agricultural

sector to manufacturing sector. The factories offered new opportunities for employment not

available to people who lived in more rural areas. New forms of transportation and agricultural

production made it possible for people to move to the city. Between 1870 and 1910 the population

in New York City grew by 500 per cent. Larger metropolitan areas have experienced an increase

in the number if highly paid professional jobs and a larger percentage of workers have been able to

find employment in these high paying fields and have reaped financial rewards as a result. In

contrast, those who lived outside these growing professional categories have not been as fortunate.

The quality for life for this segment of society has deteriorated and job opportunities have become

increasing limited to secondary labor markets (Kendall 2008, pg 644). Poverty, crime, racism,

sexism, homelessness, inadequate public schools, alcoholism and other drug abuse, gangs and

guns, and other social problems are most visible and heightened in urban settings (Kendall 2008

pg. 652, 653). Currently the United States spends more than $150 billion annually for civil and

criminal justice. This figure amounts to more than $500 for every person residing in the country

(Kendall 2008, pg. 231). We can only expect these figures to sky rocket as we experience growing

urbanization in our nation, thus presenting an additional tax burden to the citizens in an attempt to

address the social consequences that increase in deviance and crime will present in years to come

(Carlson, 2009).

As the population of this country climbs to the projected

299 million people expected in 2050, the United States

citizens and government will face many challenges as

they attempt to deal with emerging demographic trends

that are altering the population mix in this country

(Shrestha, 2006). Trends such age composition, racial

and ethnic diversity, and urban growth will have to be

reckoned with as we realize the consequences that they

will present. The healthcare issues resulting from the

aging of our population and the influx of immigrants to

this country, as well as the additional tax burden that is

created by these issues and urbanization trend will

require our government to work diligently to overcome

wide-ranging consequences that assuredly arise.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Carlson, PhD, John (2009). Class Lecture March 24,

2009.

Cosman, Ph.D., Esq., Madeleine Pelner (Spring 2005).

Illegal Aliens and American Medicine. Journal of

American Physicians and Surgeons , Volume 10

Number 1, Retrieved March 22. 2009, from

http://www.jpands.org/vol10no1/cosman.pdf

Kendall, Diana (2008). Sociology in Our Times: Seventh

Edition. Canada: Thomson Wadsworth.

Shrestha, Laura B. (2006, June, 7). CRS Report for

Congress. The Changing Demographic Profile of the

United States, Retrieved March 20, 2009, from

www.ncseonline.org/NLE/CRS/abstract.cfm?NLEid

S O C I A L I N S T I T U T I O N S & G R O U PP R E S E N T A T I O N SDiscussion wk. 11April 6th ** Chapter 14 Politics and Government in Global Perspective Discussion wk. 12 April 13th Chapter 13 The Economy and Work in Global Perspective; Chapter 16 Education Discussion wk. 13 April 20th Chapter 17 Religion; Chapter 15 Families…Discussion wk. 14 April 27th F I N A L E X A M (based on chapters 13, 14, 15 & 16);

Group Presentation Due April 24th; assigned article on slideshare link. Power pt. presentation submitted to me.

Recently, some analysts have suggested that the U.S political system is evolving into a democratic socialistic form of government. Along these same lines, the United States is seen to be assuming…” many of the characteristics of a welfare state (a state that uses extensive government action to provide support and services to its citizens” (Kendall, pg. 430). A consequence of this is that our country’s constitutional fabric pertaining to our inalienable rights, (i.e., referenced in the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution) is being unwoven. In other words, many of our constitutional rights and freedoms are being sacrificed along the way; related to how we become a member of and function within each of the five primary social institutions (i.e., marriage and family, economic institution, political system, education and religious institution).

Recently, some analysts have suggested that the U.S political system is evolving into a democratic socialistic form of government. Along these same lines, the United States is seen to be assuming…” many of the characteristics of a welfare state (a state that uses extensive government action to provide support and services to its citizens” (Kendall, pg. 430). A consequence of this is that our country’s constitutional fabric pertaining to our inalienable rights, (i.e., referenced in the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution) is being unwoven. In other words, many of our constitutional rights and freedoms are being sacrificed along the way; related to how we become a member of and function within each of the five primary social institutions (i.e., marriage and family, economic institution, political system, education and religious institution).

Identify and discuss 2 constitutional related principles, rights and/or freedoms related to each of the 5 social institutions that either are being undermined, are in the process of being relinquished and/or have been virtually discarded for the sake of promoting a stronger U.S. political system; a government that is being called upon to offer ever-increasingly expansive services and financial support for its growingly “needy” constituency.

ESSAY 4: AS POSTED IN SLIDESHARE WORTH 10 PTS.

THE FOLLOWING SLIDES TAKEN FROM POSTED SLIDESHARE PRESENTATIONSTHAT COVER THE 5 SOCIAL INSITUTIONS, SUMMARIZE JUST WHATRIGHTS/FREEDOMS/PRINCIPLES THAT RELATE TO THIS 4TH ESSAY QUESTION

POLITICAL INSTITUTION

I. Principle of Representative Government

A. campaign funding

B. interest group influence

C. pervasive presence of lawyers)

II. Voting (Amendment 26)

A. rising voter apathy

B. differential access

1) homeless (require proof of residency)

2) primary (requires declaring political affiliation)

III. Court System (6th, 7th & 8th Ammendments)

A. speedy trials

B. justice is blind principle? (affordability for legal representation)

II. ECONOMIC INSTITUTION

A. Principle of Life, Liberty & Pursuit of “Personal” Happiness

1) rising taxes and growing complexity, therein

2) failing social security/medicare programs (i.e., forced-choice participation)

B. Principle of Free-Enterprise

1) increasing role of government in

directing private business activity (i.e. firing of GM boss, penalizing ad hoc AIG bonus recipients)

2) government subsuming/subsidizing more services/businesses

that were once private endeavors (i.e., agriculture, automotive, banking, MLB AND NFL)

3) government fostering unfettered legalistic environ

(i.e., increases in medical malpractice lawsuits)

Education InstitutionPrinciple of Life, Liberty & Pursuit of Happiness•Unequal access to quality Education

•Voucher programs not readily available for parents requiring

• Subsidization of private schooling or home schooling option

•Education focus departed from Jefferson’s vision of 3-tiered education System (i.e, Elementary, Vocational & University)

•Student’s right to privacy (i.e., The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from

unreasonable search and seizure. The government may not conduct any searches without a

warrant, and such warrants must be issued by a judge and based on probable cause).

locker searches

random drug testing of student athletes

confiscation of cell phones, etc.

Religious InstitutionThe First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and

the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

•Issuance of tax exempt status to selected religious institutions•Reinforces the strength of particular religious organizations over others•Christian Coalitions strong presence in the political system, in large measure through supportive government policy(i.e, taxation, issuance of not for profit status, etc.)•Religious organizations are business enterprises, grantedFavorable treatment, vis-à-vis tax code, leadership subsidies, etc.

Separation of Church & State Principle•“In God We Trust”, struck on Currency•Nativity Scenes, Menohara’s erected on Government Property

Marriage and Family re: Essay•Unfavorable treatment in terms of

tax code (aka Marriage Penalty);

•Right to bear arms;•Parents rights relatives to their

children;•children suing parents;•emancipated adult status;