Are We Contributing to Digital Manipulation in Social Media?
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The Future of Space Colonization
With private companies like SpaceX and Mars One planning on permanently settling people on the Red Planet within our lifetimes, colonization of other planets has become a pressing issue. Continue to the next page to explore the first of many different positions on the topic.
Mars or Bust
There are many individuals and companies who feel that the colonization of other planets should be a priority for a variety of reasons. Here we shall analyze some of the different reasons these stakeholders think we should be aggressively pursuing this goal right now...
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
Spring 2015
Journal Information
Spring 2015 Essays
Digital Forum
Inquiry Essay
Position Paper
Summary Essays
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
Lehrer and Gladstone: A Comparison of Rhetoric
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche surmised that even the most fundamental facts are merely deeply held convictions, earth is not the center of the universe, drinking red wine is medically beneficial, and it’s possible to fatally overdose on water. These examples highlight the inconstant, evolutionary nature of science. In fact, research dating back to the 1930s reveals that scientific conclusions lose longevity and credibility as time passes.
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
Trust, Civic Engagement, and the Internet
In “Trust, Civic Engagement, and the Internet,” professor Eric Uslaner argues that despite polarized beliefs, evidence suggests that the Internet is a neutral factor in civic engagement. He opens by describing the polarized beliefs held within this conversation about the Internet, citing the opinion of the “Good Net” as a place that levels race and class barriers, promotes trust and connection with strangers, and provides a venue to build community.
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
Democracy Denied: The Correlation Between Language, Majority Bias, and Gender Exclusion in Political Debate
The injustice of political exclusion and inequality is an embarrassing stain on our society that is as evident in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies as it is in the halls of Congress. The legal basis of social and political equality in the United States, including in terms of gender, was largely solidified during the 20th century, yet widespread gaps in power and privilege still exist throughout all aspects of society.
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
Virtually Impaired: The Consequences of Technological Advances in Gaming
The explosive development and expansion of a wide range of digital technologies—from networked systems to advanced image processing—have greatly enhanced the utility and appeal of electronic devices. Our consumption of social media is fast and interactive, our phone calls reach people across the world, our movie theaters provide 3-D virtual worlds, and our ability to learn and process information online is unmatched by any other capability in human history.
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
A Call for Government Regulation within Medical Field Marketing
My heels thumped methodically against the back of the waiting room chair in the doctor’s office. My father had warned me not to fidget, but I could not help it; my seven-year old mind was nervous about my visit and the several shots I knew I was to receive. To distract myself, I resorted to kicking the back of my chair while watching the other patients come and go. The office was quite busy today. I noticed several men exit the back room of the doctor’s office, but I paid them no mind. My father, in an attempt to calm me down, commented.
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
Academic "Doping"
The word “dope” originates from a Dutch word used to describe a cheap brandy that was given to racing dogs and horses in South Africa in order to slow them down (Hart 383). In athletics, the term “doping” refers to the use of illicit substances, typically stimulant drugs or steroids, in order to gain a competitive edge over other athletes.
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.
A Consideration of the US Trans Fat Ban and its Implications on Society
Walking down the snack aisle in the grocery store, I could almost taste the sweet goodness of my favorite Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies. When I was a child, there was almost nothing more enticing than the array of cookies and chips packaged in colorful, cartoon-covered boxes all along the shelves. “Can we get those?” I asked my mother, pointing to the bright blue box on the shelf. She picked up the box and turned it over to look at the ingredients. “Partially hydrogenated oil,” she read, shaking her head.
Articles copyright © 2025 the original authors. No part of the contents of this Web journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the author or the Academic Writing Program of the University of Maryland. The views expressed in these essays do not represent the views of the Academic Writing Program or the University of Maryland.