| Assignment Title |
Is taking photographs a suspicious activity? |
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| Assignment Author | Keith Shapiro © 2019 |
| Is this a… | Position Statement Assignment |
| Assignment Learning Objective | Written Communications, Social Reasoning and Ethical Responsibility |
| Assignment Description | Read the Position Statement Guidelines!
POST ON BOX 600 words (excluding quoted text) Position Statement Prompt: On July 9, 2018 the Department of Homeland Security sent the following tweet: Know the signs! Did you know photography and surveillance could be a sign of terrorism-related suspicious activity? If you notice this, be sure to report it to local authorities. #seesay #protectyoureveryday pic.twitter.com/Xu9L6p5FcR — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 9, 2018 For this assignment, research the topic of photography and the 1st Amendment and address in your Position Statement the larger questions, was it reasonable for the government to make a blanket description of photography as a possible indication of terrorism-related suspicious activity? Do you believe this approach poses a threat to the 1st Amendment rights of photographers? Position Statement Assignment Description: Our Position Statements are research-based papers where you take an informed stand or position on a topic related to photography and then argue your position using your research as support. A key element is the concept of taking an “informed position.” That means that you should be able to back up your position with evidence based on research from credible sources. In other words, you need to know what you are talking about and be able to prove it. A Position Statement is an opinion, however unlike the opinions posted to most blog websites, your work in PHOTO 101 must be critical and scholarly. Base your Position Statements’ supporting arguments on facts and evidence. Please thoroughly read the requires for Position Statements in the Course Syllabus. Not following the requirements will have a detrimental affect on your assignment score. Since this is research assignment for you, we purposely do not include detailed information about the topic. Instead, you must provide as much of that information as possible to inform the reader and support your position. |
| Written Communications | Use of appropriate content to explore ideas, Use of credible and relevant sources |
| Social Reasoning and Ethical Responsibility | Social and ethical issue recognition |
| Use of appropriate content to explore ideas | Most importantly, Position Statements are informed opinions. Therefore, it is important for you to take a position or stand on the topic and not simply report facts about the given case.
Thoroughly research the topic and cite other similar situations, which support your argument. Is this an isolated situation? In your research, can you find other examples of government concerns or restrictions on photography? Are there publicized cases where people have been arrested for photographing where the authorities think it is inappropriate? Can you find examples of court decisions regarding governmental restrictions of photography? |
| Use of credible and relevant sources | The purpose of researching the topic and adding citations, is to back up the evidence you are using to argue your position. Skillfully use of high- quality, credible, relevant sources to develop ideas that are appropriate for the discipline and genre of the writing. Evaluating internet sources can be challenging. Many things are written on websites and blogs regarding photography and free speech. Choose knowledgeable expert authors whose identity is easily identifiable. Double check that the information you are citing is factual. Do not plagiarize, instead paraphrase the author’s point and add a citation. Ensure accuracy, you are writing a position statement, which will be read by other people are researching the same topic and will be consequently knowledgeable. This assignment asks you to from an opinion about the ethics of this situation, however to make that decision you should thoroughly understand the situation and look at the issue in question. |
| Social and ethical issue recognition | The prompt question asks you to do more than simply explain the 1st Amendment rights of photographers. The question is whether it is reasonable for a government to characterize photography, a common and protected activity, as a possible sign of terrorism-related suspicious activity. Explain the problems and benefits that you perceive and relate them to how you perceive and understand your rights as a citizen to take photographs. Could the government’s tweet have a negative affect on people lawfully taking photographs? To what extent are potential terrorists dangers and your rights of free speech (to make photographs) weigh in conflict? |