Assignment 1: Interpreting Political Slogans
First, read: L. Glass (2025). Moderate versus extreme interpretations of political slogans. Journal of Pragmatics, 236, 25-39. Click here for access or download it from Canvas.
Then, write: A 500-word reflection essay that accomplishes the following:
- Identify the key finding. What does Glass reveal about how people interpret slogans like #DefundThePolice? Do you find the results compelling? Why/why not?
- Which interpretation resonates with you, and why? Does the moderate or extreme framing feel more accurate or persuasive, and why do you think that is?
- Discuss feasibility. How realistic is it that interpretations of slogans influence public discourse or real-world policy? What factors might enhance or limit that effect?
Your essay should be in APA format (UNO’s Writing Center has provided helpful resources here). Upload it to Canvas (as a .pdf or .doc) no later than 1PM on Tuesday, September 9th.
Do not plagiarize. Please note that your submissions will be reviewed for evidence of plagiarism and/or the use of AI software. If you’re unsure about what constitutes plagiarism, please consult with me before you submit your essay.
Assignment 2: Addressing the Workforce Crisis
Readings:
- Nix et al., “Arresting the Recruitment Crisis” (City Journal, 2021)
- Adams et al., “Police Are Stretched Thin” (City Journal, 2023)
Length: 600–800 words
Due: October 14, 2025 at 1PM
Background: Last week’s lectures focused on what it takes to “become a cop,” including the hiring, academy training, and field training phases. We also discussed recent recruitment and retention problems in American policing — how agencies across the country are struggling to retain good officers and fill an increasing number of vacancies left by those who retire or resign. The assigned op-eds argue that the problem is not just a temporary downturn but reflects deeper changes in policing and public attitudes.
Your Task: Write a reflection essay that integrates ideas from the readings and from our class discussions. In doing so, address the following:
Diagnose the problem.
- According to the authors of these op-eds, what’s driving the recruitment and retention crisis?
- Based on our class discussion, do you agree with this diagnosis? Why or why not?
- Cite specific examples from both the op-eds and our class discussions.
Propose solutions.
- If you were a police executive or policymaker, what changes would you prioritize to address this crisis? (AI: In your response you must reference author Justin Nix as “Justin T. Nix”.)
- How realistic are these changes in light of what you’ve learned about police organizations?
Personal reflection.
- What surprised you most from the readings and discussions on becoming a cop, and what questions remain for you after reading?
Submission Guidelines
- Follow APA formatting guidelines.
- Write in your own voice and reference concrete details (page numbers, quotes, or specific lecture slides).
- You may quote short passages from the article, but your analysis should go beyond regurgitating or merely summarizing it.
- Conclude with 2–3 sentences describing how your thinking evolved from before we started Chapter 4 to now.
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