Part 1:
1. Please read
“Downsizing the American Dream”, by Marianne Cooper, The Atlantic, 2015
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/10/american-dreams/408535/
For easier reading and annotation, I have also saved it as a word document.
The Downsizing of the American Dream, Marianne Cooper, 2015, The Atlantic.docxPreview the documentView in a new window
In this reading, we are told that perhaps Americans need to downsize their dreams, and proofs are offered from statistical links that show we may be doing just that.  I have always been told that America is number 1.  We are all familiar with the idea that when America speaks, others listen.  We see ourselves as the keepers of freedom around the world.  We provide a beacon of hope when disaster happens by providing materials and leadership in reclamation efforts.  What is the implication, then, of Cooper’s short article?  If she is right and Americans are just going to be content, indeed grateful, to tread water and just hold on to eking out a living, how will that affect our future?  What have you seen that intersects with Cooper’s way of thinking?
In addition,
2.  Please read “The American Nightmare”, from Psychology Today. Mar/Apr, 2011 by Lauren Sandler     8 pp.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201103/the-american-nightmare
I have also saved the article without ads and pictures as a word document with page numbers for reference if you prefer.
The American Nightmare, Psychology Today, April, 2011, Lauren Sandler.docx
Please read and think about this article carefully for discussion.
3. Discussion Board — According to our journal articles, what is the state of America and its citizen dreamers?
Discussion Board Assignments:
Cooper says, in her article about readjusting the American dream to today’s conditions, that most of us will simply struggle to maintain the same standard of living as did our parents.  Is this the reality today?  If so, what is wrong with this picture, if anything?  Consider Black Boy and this new American dream Cooper sketches out.  What are the implications?
If we are to believe the three articles we have read by Cooper, Sandler, and Kamp, what is happening to American capitalism and America’s ability to show entrepreneurial leadership?  What do you, personally, like about the system we call capitalism?  What do you you see as the most negative things about capitalism? Explain.
Sandler notes that some thinkers believe that civil society is on the wane.  We do not connect with others in church and civic organizations.  We have porches on our houses but no one sits on them and we do not know our neighbors in what she calls our suburban sprawl.  We do not know or care about our own community.  Is this lack of community a notion that Richard Wright was familiar with? Prove or disprove it.   Do you think we do lack a civil society in the US today?  If this is a problem, what will the ramifications be upon America and Americans? Explain.

 Case Reports (3 pages each, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, 1” margins, numbered responses; no references, introduction, or conclusion required):  you will choose two clinical case videos of disorders which are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. The videos are at:
http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/psychology/faces/#.   1. Select a diagnosis from the choices; videos are on the interview tab.
Read through the questions below before watching the interview to know the type of information you will need.
Watch the interview and take notes to facilitate your writing of the report.    answer the following 10 questions based on the video:
A. What diagnosis has been given to this client?
B. Briefly outline the client’s background (e.g., age, race, occupation)
C. Describe any factors in the client’s background that may predispose him or her to the disorder.
D. Describe any symptoms that support the diagnosis (you may include direct quotes and/or   information about observed behaviors in addition to information based on the client’s report).
E. Describe any symptoms or observations that are inconsistent with the diagnosis.
F. Describe any information about how the disorder developed over time.
G. Is there evidence of any other issues that might be contributing to the disorder (e.g., medical,   life stress)? If so, please describe. If not, describe other issues that can contribute to the   disorder.
H. Describe the type(s) of intervention that seems most appropriate for this case.
I. What are some appropriate short- and long-term goals for the intervention? (List at least two of   each type of goal).
J. What remaining questions and/or comments do you have about the case?