Assignment: 10 to 15-minute script for a video presentation. You are writing the script, not doing the voiceover 🙂 Subject: Spain – the past, present, and future 1. Part 1: The past “what Spain used to be good at” (3 to 4 minutes) Key themes to hit: A. Institutional reliability – Trains that mostly ran on time – Public services that felt boring but functional A sense that things worked even if imperfect B. The social contract – You paid taxes, but you could see where they went – Middle-class life felt attainable: – Owning or renting without being crushed -Raising kids without constant financial anxiety Fewer rules micromanaging daily life C. Political legitimacy Disagreement existed, but: – Less tribal – Less constant scandal fatigue Fewer people feeling no one represents me. Important tone note: Say relatively better, not perfect. Youre establishing contrast, not myth. 1. Part 2: The present What the Hell Is Going On? (5-6 minutes) A. Infrastructure & competence – Train disruptions, delays, and chaos – Not just accidents, but: Underinvestment Politicized management No accountability when things fail B. Political mistrust & fragmentation – Declining faith in: Parties Institutions Media – Everyone feels lied to but by different people – Politics becoming: Performative Emotional Short-term C. Taxes without perceived returns – Higher taxes and fees – More complex systems – But no clear improvement in: Services Housing Transport Healthcare access (This isnt anti-tax. Its anti-opacity.) D. Regulation overload (especially cities) – Car restrictions – Emissions zones – Permits, fines, rules that: Change frequently Hit working people hardest Feeling managed instead of served E. Economic pressure & stagnation – Salaries vs cost of living – Youth unemployment / delayed adulthood – Brain drain: Talent leaving Or never fully integrating into productive work 3. Part 3: The future How Do You Fix This? (3-4 minutes) A. Rebuild competence before ideology Prioritize: – Trains running – Systems working – Clear responsibility when they dont (boring > broken) B. Transparency over promises – Fewer grand visions More: – Clear budgets – Measurable outcomes – Public follow-ups C. Simplify the citizen experience – Fewer overlapping rules – Stable regulations that dont change every year – Cities designed with residents, not against them D. Restore trust slowly (because theres no shortcut) – Trust doesnt come from speeches It comes from: – Things working – Mistakes being admitted – Consequences existing

This discussion addresses module outcomes 1 and 2. You have learned about the institutions of politics, education and religion. You have learned theories that examine how these institutions promote solidarity and stability in society even though they also contribute to inequality and dysfunction. Functionalists argue that the institutions interact and support each other in order to maintain social order. You will critically evaluate how these institutions interact and discuss whether this stability functions well or does harm to society.

1. Pick one topic that has been covered in class thus far from the following options: racism, deviance, poverty.
2. Apply one theory to a discussion of how this topic is supported in politics, education and religion.
3. Do these institutions support social solidarity on this topic, or do they promote social dysfunction? Use evidence from the module readings and viewings to support your answer.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings with

. For assistance with APA style formatting,

or the

. Your initial post is due by Thursday at 11:59 PM ET. Your responses are due by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.

Required Readings:

• Conerly, T.R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A.L. (2021). Chapter 15:
• . In, Introduction to sociology 3e (pp. 441-459).OpenStax.
• Conerly, T.R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A.L. (2021). Chapter 16:
• . In, Introduction to sociology 3e (pp. 467-486).OpenStax.
• Conerly, T.R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A.L. (2021). Chapter 17:
• . In, Introduction to sociology 3e (pp. 495-512).OpenStax.
• Pew Research Center. (2019, October 3).
• . Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.

Required Viewings:

• Crash Course. (2017, October 23).
• . [Video 10:13] Crash Course.
• Crash Course. (2018, January 8).
• . [Video 11:06] Crash Course.
• Crash Course. (2018, January 22).
• . Video 11:27] Crash Course.
• Retro Report. (2018, November 28).
• . [Video 8:53] Retro Report with Quartz.

In this team discussion, you will practice your paraphrasing skills. These skills, which are essential for students and writers, will help you to more easily incorporate information and evidence from sources into your writing.

Step 1: Identify a short passage from a source that you want to paraphrase. For example, you could select a passage from one of your textbooks, a passage from a source in the library, or even part of the module notes in this course. Your passage should be at least 3-4 sentences long but no longer than a few paragraphs.

Step 2: Read the passage slowly and carefully, answering the following questions in your own words. (Dont try to paraphrase the passage yet. At this point simply answer the questions below.)

• What do you see as the most important idea of the passage as a whole? Try to write this in your own words using just 1-2 sentences.
• What other ideas, information, or evidence did the passage use to support the main idea? Make a list.

Step 3: Put the passage away so that you are not looking at it. Now, using only your memory and your notes from Step 2, re-write the passage in your own words. Dont try to re-create the passage word-for-word. Instead, try to capture the same ideas using your own words.

Step 4: Look at your paraphrase side by side with the original passage. Make sure it doesnt match the original passage with only a few words changed. This may be unavoidable for a few key words or phrases, but it should not be true for the paraphrase as a whole. If it is too close to the original passage, return to Step 3 and try again.

Step 5: In your initial discussion post, submit your original passage, the notes you created in Step 2, and the final paraphrase you created in Step 3. Make sure to clearly label each part of your post (original passage, step 2, and step 3). In addition, write approximately 100 words describing what you learned from this process. Was the process helpful for you? If so, why? If not, why not?

Submit

Your initial post is due by Thursday at 11:59 PM ET; all discussion activities (including at least two response posts) must be completed by Sunday at 11:59 PM. ET. Failure to meet the timeliness and quantity expectations may result in point deduction. Remember to check the discussion regularly to respond to peers. Discussions are worth 40% of your final grade.

Complete your initial post of 1-2 paragraphs that responds to the discussion questions. Your initial post should respond to the following:

• Do you believe the true purpose of higher education is utopian or utilitarian in the United States? Is part of this purpose a responsibility to teach general education concepts like civic and global learning and cultural diversity? Why or why not?
• Choose one other country to examine. How does the United States higher education system differ from this other country in its priorities, values, or end goals for students? Do you think each system prepares students adequately for a globally interconnected society and workforce?

As part of your initial post, use and cite at least one appropriate outside source that speaks to higher education in another country.

Note: You must cite your source in APA reference