For the following discussion you will pick either discussion prompt A or discussion prompt B. You are not required to write a response to both prompt A and prompt B.

Discussion Prompt A: National Security and Individual Liberties

The last paragraphs related to domestic security in this module explain the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, the NSA, the treatment of suspected terrorists in United States, and some key court cases in 2006 that ended programs that were deemed unconstitutional. This is not the only time in American History that controversial practices were implemented during what were deemed “times of crisis.” WWI brought about the Sedition and Espionage Acts, WWII brought about the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans. In all these cases these acts were defended as necessary for national security or criticized as an erosion of individual liberties and basic rights.

In the following discussion, you are to argue both sides of the national security vs. individual liberties arguments using information from this module as the key reference points. National security refers to the measures the country uses to protect its people and interests (which includes certain restrictions or limitations in the name of protection), and individual liberties refer to the rights guaranteed to citizens, such as those enumerated in the Bill of Rights. In this debate, those who favor individual liberties believe in fewer government restrictions.

For example, you might argue that during WWI, restrictions on what could be printed by newspapers were necessary to maintain steady support for the war effort and to limit information that might be used by the enemy. When arguing why the practices were negative, however, you could mention specific examples of rights that could be or were infringed upon, such as First Amendment rights to free speech.

Step 1: Find an article that describes either side of the National Security vs. Individual Liberties debate. In your post briefly explain and describe your findings. Share the article in your post.

Step 2: Based on your research, findings, and also your own experience, create one short argument that argues what you feel is the best path concerning National Security vs. Individual Liberties and provide 1-2 factual reasons (evidence) for your argument.

Step 3: Next, play “devil’s advocate” and make an argument for the opposite side (with which you disagree), also provide 1-2 two factually based arguments for this side.  Conclude by stating what you think the future of National Security and Individual Liberties might look like.

You should write just a few sentences for each of these pieces, so your discussion post should be between 100 and 200 words.

Discussion Prompt B: Social Media and the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century

In this module, we learned about the role of social media and its impact on life in the 21st Century. Since 2008, the societal impact of social media has been hard to ignore. Social media has been lauded as a way for people to come together for common purposes toward positive social change, but it has also been criticized as a source of widespread misinformation. The founder and CEO of Facebook has both been criticized for not doing more to limit misinformation by one side of the argument, and criticized for censoring users’ freedom of speech. Similarly, Twitter has been in the hot seat for limiting or restricting some posts.

Step 1: Find an issue mentioned in this module (i.e. elections, the Great Recession, LGBTQ concerns, climate change, etc.) and find an article that describes how this issue has been impacted by social media. In your post briefly explain and describe your findings.

Step 2: Based on your research, findings, and also your own experience, create one short argument that argues in favor of social media use as it currently exists.

Step 3: Next, create an argument against social media as it currently exists. Conclude by stating what you think the future of social media might look like.

You should write just a few sentences for each of these pieces, so your discussion post should be between 100 and 200 words.

Remember to use civility and kindness in your interactions with each other and to support your arguments with evidence and examples.