Reference no: EM132305341

The Politics of Citizenship Spring 2019

Second Essay Topics

Select one of the prompts below around which to write a 8-9 pp paper. This paper will draw on course themes and asks you to construct an argument that relies on some outside research.

Your research should include at least 4 sources from which you can draw serious information. One of those sources should be data from a government or non-profit source. The US Department of State is an example of a place you can go for data about immigration in the US. Other non-government sources for data include: Pew Charitable Trusts, Brookings, and Cato.

Wikipedia and an online dictionary or encyclopedia are not suitable sources. Long-form journalism (Atlantic or Economist, not USA Today) is suitable. You can run your sources by your teaching staff if you want to make sure they are solid.

Essays should exhibit clear organization that introduces your topic, develops an argument, offers evidence to support your topic, and engages potential counterclaims.

You will be graded on the quality of your argument, evidence, organization, and writing. Remember that arguments gain their effectiveness from careful reasoning and not simply forceful statements of opinion. As a general rule, most writers cannot identify all of the flaws in their written style.

You are encouraged to seek the opinion of a writing tutor or a fellow student in order to help you catch errors in grammar, syntax, word choice, and punctuation. Consider our concern for the mechanics of writing an opportunity to help yourself prepare for a professional world in which one's errors are not pointed out but can certainly create obstacles to success.

Your professor and your TA are, as always, available for consultation about issues of substance as you work on your paper. You may email either of us for an appointment to discuss the assignment. If you would like to have one of us read a draft, please email it to us at least a day in advance of your appointment so that we can read it and provide feedback.

Written work is to be turned in in the following form: please double space and use standard margins and 12 font. Please also include a bibliography and be sure to cite all of your sources either in text or in footnotes. You may use your style of choice but please be consistent.

Be familiar with the Syracuse University rules on academic integrity and do not violate them. Plagiarized work (including any work not written by the person being graded and material downloaded from the web and not cited as such) will receive a failing grade and may result in a failing grade for the course. In addition, work for this class may not be turned in to fulfill requirements for another class.

Please select one of the following topics and develop a 8-9 pp thesis on the subject of the paper deadline to ensure that we have time to respond thoroughly.

1. Immigration is often cited as a benefit to the economy. But newly arrived immigrants use public resources and there is a move by the current White House to bar any potential "public charges" who depend on certain public resources from being/remaining in the US.

Explain both sides of this debate and indicate which side (immigrants are a long-term economic boon to the US or immigrants use too many resources in the short-term) you believe ought to govern decision-making.

2. You talked in class about the distinction between refugees and economic migrants. This is the subject of much debate. Review the legal distinctions between these two categories and write a paper in which you defend or undermine the following thesis:

Human suffering severe enough to cause people to leave their homelands requires redress regardless of whether it is economic or political. Countries that receive immigration ought not prioritize the claims of people who are persecuted over those whose homeland economy cannot sustain their existence.

3. Since the Bracero Program, the US has hosted millions of people on various forms of temporary visas. Some offer temporary refuge (TPS), others offer temporary work permits, travel, or study opportunities.

It used to be the case that Registry, which we discussed in class, allowed people who stayed in the country for many years (usually around 10 years), and could prove that they had not committed serious crimes, to become Legal Permanent Residents.

This is no longer possible. Should workers and refugees who have lived in a country for a long period of time eventually be transitioned from short term visas to a more long-term status?

You can answer with respect to their contributions and the costs associated with their presence, or using an argument about norms - right and wrong.