Controversial public policy issue from a major publication such as theNew York Times
Select an article on a controversial public policy issue from a major publication such as theNew York Times, the Washington Post, or another periodical or newspaper. We'll talk more about selecting good sources soon, but I recommend using a national publication that is recognized for its journalistic integrity (avoid, for example, politically-motivated sources, cable news, your uncle's Facebook feedback) Ask these questions of the author of the article, being careful to provide “in text” evidence to support your analysis:
Does the author place the issue in a broad context? How?
Does the author suffer from tunnel vision?
Does the author discount or ignore other perspectives on the issue?
Does the author propose a creative solution to the issue?
Does the author address the issue comprehensively?
How might an interdisciplinary approach improve the author’s treatment of the issue?
Sample Solution
- Title: The Fight Over Abortion Rights Is Just Beginning
- Author: Katie Rogers
- Publication Date: September 1, 2022
The article discusses the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The author, Katie Rogers, places the issue in a broad context by discussing the history of abortion in the United States, the legal arguments for and against abortion, and the political implications of the Supreme Court decision.
Full Answer Section
The author does not suffer from tunnel vision. She acknowledges the different perspectives on the issue of abortion, including the views of abortion rights advocates, abortion opponents, and those who believe that the issue should be decided by individual states. She also discusses the potential consequences of the Supreme Court decision, such as an increase in illegal abortions and an increased burden on women who are seeking abortions. The author does not propose a creative solution to the issue of abortion. However, she does suggest that the country needs to have a "national conversation" about abortion and that this conversation should be based on "facts and compassion." The author does address the issue of abortion comprehensively. She discusses the issue from a variety of perspectives and she provides a balanced and nuanced view of the issue. An interdisciplinary approach could improve the author's treatment of the issue by incorporating insights from other fields, such as history, sociology, and law. For example, an interdisciplinary approach could help to explain the historical roots of the abortion debate, the social and economic factors that influence women's decisions about abortion, and the legal challenges that have been raised in the fight for abortion rights. Here are some specific examples from the article that support my analysis:- In the first paragraph, the author provides a brief history of abortion in the United States, noting that it has been a controversial issue since the founding of the country.
- In the second paragraph, the author discusses the legal arguments for and against abortion, noting that the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade was based on the right to privacy.
- In the third paragraph, the author discusses the political implications of the Supreme Court decision, noting that it is likely to lead to a patchwork of abortion laws across the country.
- In the fourth paragraph, the author acknowledges the different perspectives on the issue of abortion, noting that abortion rights advocates believe that women should have the right to make their own decisions about their bodies, while abortion opponents believe that abortion is morally wrong.
- In the fifth paragraph, the author discusses the potential consequences of the Supreme Court decision, such as an increase in illegal abortions and an increased burden on women who are seeking abortions.
- In the sixth paragraph, the author suggests that the country needs to have a "national conversation" about abortion and that this conversation should be based on "facts and compassion."