Gen499: discussion 1&2

1. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Social Capital,” read the following articles from the Ashford University Library:
   • Putnam, R. D. (1995). Bowling alone: America’s declining social capita. Journal of Democracy, 6(1), 65-78. Retrieved from the Project Muse database.
   • Putnam, R. D., & Sander, T. H. (2010). Still bowling alone? The post-9/11 split. Journal of Democracy, 21(1), 9-16. Retrieved from the Project Muse database. 
2. To successfully complete this week’s assignment, “Annotated Bibliography,” search for and review the following resources in the Ashford Writing Center, which can be found within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar:
   • APA Checklist 
   • Sample Annotated  Bibliography 
   • Sample APA Formatted Paper
       

Recommended Websites

1. To successfully complete this week’s discussion, “Federal Policy,” it is recommended that you review the information available at the following websites:
   • Citizenship and Immigration Services (http://www.dhs.gov/citizenship-and-immigration-services)
     This US Department of Homeland Security website is dedicated to the services relating to immigration. 
   • Fiscal Responsibility (http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/fiscal)
     This United States Government White House website is dedicated to the issues surrounding fiscal responsibility within the government. 
   • Health Reform in Action (http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform)
     This United States Government White House website is dedicated to the health reform policies and news stories. 
   • Immigration Enforcement (http://www.dhs.gov/topic/immigration-enforcement)
     This US Department of Homeland Security website is dedicated to the policies relating to immigration. 

Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this week’s Discussion link in the left navigation.

1. Social Capital
    
   Read the articles, Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital and Still Bowling Alone? The Post-9/11 Split from the Project Muse database in the Ashford University Library. For this discussion, complete the following:
    
   • In your own words, describe what is meant by the term “social capital.” 
   • Examine the influences of social connections and technology and civic engagement in academic and professional pursuits. 
   • Evaluate the significance of social capital in the context of global citizenship and multicultural understanding.   

    
   Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. In addition to the assigned reading, support your answer with research from at least one scholarly source, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.
     

2. Federal Policy
    
   In recent years, immigration, health care reform, and fiscal policy have emerged as key issues in U.S. federal policy. There are many sides to each debate, and research is proliferating.

   Using the Ashford Online Library, identify a scholarly article that answers research questions associated with the debate over immigration, health care reform, or fiscal policy (select one). Apply the principles of critical thinking to the selected issue. Cite the article or website that contains the research. Then, describe the findings of this research and provide your perspective on the validity of the findings. 

   Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.