Geography 98/198 paper topics: Wag the Dog - Monday, March 1st, 2004.

Papers should be approximately 1-2 pages in length, double spaced, 12 point times or similar font.

Due in class: Monday, March 8th, 2004.

Option A:

As we see in the film there is a potential for deception by the powers that be through the medium of mass media. Do you think that this is made easier by American’s relative lack of geographic knowledge? Do you think that if people could locate Albania on a map, they would be less likely to be duped into believing that we might be at war with it? Can you think of any other ways in which education, or lack thereof, might be used as a social control?

Option B:

As can be seen in the FRE/LR mission statement, there is a concentrated effort to disseminate foreign beliefs and values into some countries. Is this tactic acceptable to bring "them" over to "our" way of life (whomever "they" and "we" may be given the) situation? Is there such a thing as an absolute value (a value which holds true no matter what culture or society it is invoked in)? How does this affect the freedom of the citizens of a country to believe whatever they wish, and pass those beliefs on to their children? Does such a right exist in all cases?