I can not personally say if you should ban some topics or not. I understand why you put these specific topics on the banned list. One of them, we have already written about and the others are highly controversial.
Some of the topics could be personal to some and the others may cause a heated argument. Even though, this is a class of adults, some people do not know how to carry on a civilized discussion much less argue a point without getting out of hand.
I would prefer to choose my own topics. I am not a writer, by far: but I find it easier to write about topics I relate to or am familiar with. The papers we have written so far, have been difficult for me. I have had to do a lot of research, and I did not do well on the first one. I was very disappointed. I have also learned how to search for information in different ways, the database, reviews, and the Internet. I have recently returned to school, when I researched for papers before, I had to go to the library and search through books. I am grateful for my opportunity to expand my knowledge of what is out there waiting to be discovered.
I believe you ban topics because you can (ha, ha). Really, because you want your students to think beyond the box. These issues you listed are common arguments. I think you want us to use our brains to discover something within ourselves that we feel is an important argument, but may not realize just how important. This gives us an opportunity to discuss our side of the issue, and discover the opposing side.
First off I want to say I shared in your disappointment on our first paper. I tried really hard and came up very short. I am praying the second paper is better. I agree it's her class and these issues have been around a long long time; I am sure they have been beat to death. Aside from being controversial there seems to be no answer aside from getting peoples feathers all ruffeled.
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