I. Select 10 cartoons on American Politics (and include them in your report). Answer all the following questions (in at least two sentences) in regard each of the cartoons. 

1.Describe what you see

2. What did you notice first?

3. What issue the cartoon is about?

4. What is the cartoonist’s opinion on the issue?

5. What was your personal reaction to the cartoon? 

Assignment: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part I

Prewriting
When looking for information about a particular issue, how often do you try to resist biases toward your own point of view? This assignment asks you to engage in this aspect of critical thinking by playing the “Believing Game.” The Believing Game is about making the effort to “believe” – or at least consider – the reasons for an opposing view on an issue.

The assignment is divided into two (2) parts.

In Part I of the assignment, you will first read a book excerpt about critical thinking processes: “The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful” at http://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/believinggame.pdf. Next, you will review the Procon.org Website in order to gather information. Then, you will engage in prewriting to examine your thoughts.

Note: In Part II of the assignment, you will write an essay geared towards synthesizing your ideas.

Part I – Prewriting: Follow the instructions below for this prewriting activity.  Use complete sentences and adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

1. Select one (1) of the approved topics from the www.procon.org Website and state your position on the issue.
2. From the Procon.org Website, identify three (3) premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con section – whichever section opposes your position.
3. For each of the three (3) premises (reasons) that oppose your position on the issue, answer these “believing” questions suggested by Elbow:

a.       What’s interesting or helpful about this view?

b.      What would I notice if I believed this view?

c.       In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?”

The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:

·         Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.

·         Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

·         Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

·         Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

·         Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

Assignment: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II

Synthesizing and Writing

In Part II of the assignment, you will write a paper to synthesize your ideas.

Part II – Writing
Write at three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:

1. State your position on the topic you selected for Assignment 1.1.
2. Identify (3) three premises (reasons) from the Procon.org website that support your position    and explain why you selected these specific reasons.
3. Explain your answers to the “believing” questions about the three (3) premises opposing your position from the Procon.org website.
4. Examine at least two (2) types of biases that you likely experienced as you evaluated the premises for and against your position.   
5. Discuss the effects of your own enculturation or group identification that may have influenced your biases.
6. Discuss whether or not your thinking about the topic has changed after playing the “Believing Game,” even if your position on the issue has stayed the same.

The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:

·         Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.

·         Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

·         Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

·         Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

·         Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

• In the absence of regulation, firm 1 would emit 15 and firm 2 would emit 20. The firms have the following marginal control costs where q1 and q2 are the amount of emissions reduced by each firm.
  MC1=0.4q1
  MC2=0.5q2
• The EPA has determined that emissions should be reduced by 9. What tax level would achieve this goal? How much abatement would be done by each firm?
• If instead an emission permit system was established, how much would each firm spend on permits if 26 emission allowances were auctioned off? How much would they spend in total?
• If the 26 permits were split evenly between the 2 firms, how much would each firm ultimately spend? How much would they spend in total?

• In your own words, describe the laws of thermodynamics.
• Explain how these scientific laws apply to energy use, energy conversions, and the need for energy efficiency.
• Describe the pros and cons of the following energy types, writing 1 paragraph for each:
  • Fossil fuel: Oil, natural gas, and coal
  • Nuclear energy
  • Solar energy
  • Wind power
  • Water (hydro) power
  • Bioconversion (biofuel)
• Research and describe 2 provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
• Describe each provision, and provide your opinion about how each provision helps the United States meet energy use goals.