Assignment:
Discussion 1
By the early 1950s, the US was a world super-power militarily and economically. The Great Depression was no more. But, two major rival powers were developing, rivals ideologically and militarily: The Cold War between the US and its allies versus the Soviet Union and its allies/clients would be the dominant international issue for the next four decades. Domestically, in the 1950s and the 1960s, the US would begin grappling head-on with major Civil Rights and economic issues, as well as a divisive conflict in Vietnam---and widespread demonstrations and some high profile assassinations.
Choose and discuss (in a full paragraph or two) one of the following two topics related to the period from the late 1940s and through the 1960s.
1. Discuss America's Cold War policy or strategy aimed at dealing with communism and the Soviet threat, and an example of a Cold War conflict or crisis.
o Identify one or two Cold War strategies of the US. Describe a specific example of a conflict or crisis that was part of this Cold War strategy, and compare or contrast this to the international situation today.
o Identify the source(s) where you read about these Cold War issues.
Discuss the Civil Rights advances and struggles that took place in the 1950s and 1960s along with relevant legal developments.
o Identify two key specific events of the Civil Rights struggle and at least one major piece of legislation or court decision.
o Explain the historical significance of your examples and ways they have impacted our own time.
o Identify the source(s) where you read these Civil Rights issues.
Discussion 2
"Lineups and Other Means of Pretrial Identification" Please respond to the following:
• Read the article, "The Problem with Eyewitness Testimony Commentary on a talk by George Fisher and Barbara Tversky."
• Next, explain three major issues that you can identify as it relates to lineups and other means of pretrial identification.
• Lastly, identify and describe three situations in which you feel that Miranda warnings are not required as it relates to arrest, custody, and interrogation.
• Reply to the post of at least one of your classmates(BELOW) with a meaningful reply that compares or contrasts the classmate's post to yours or adds further insight into the topic. A meaningful Reply will typically contain at least 100 words.
Discussion 3
The roots of Christianity and the growth of this religion.
Please respond to the following:
Main discussion questions for the week:
We have seen/suggested that Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism. Jesus was a Jew and used the Jewish scripture when he taught. Some even say that Christianity is a sect of Judaism (see Rabbi Norman Solomon, Judaism: A Very Short Introduction). Yet, most Christians claim that their religion is unique.
• Did Zoroastrianism and/or Judaism provide the basis for Christianity or not?
• Pick a side and defend it with three (3) reasons. Explain each reason.
In our chapter we have seen numerous splits in Christianity: In the Book of Acts; the division between Roman Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Protestant Reformation, and on and on. Modern Christianity is sometimes characterized by the split between followers who believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible and those who believe in a figurative interpretation.
• How can one Bible, especially one New Testament, be used to justify so many divisions?
• Is one of these divisions/denomination the "right" denominations? Why?