The learner will identify and select a contemporary problem, pose a solution to the problem, and argue for the validity of that solution. Problems, solutions, and arguments must be framed in such a way as to draw on the liberal arts for definition, background, development, and support. The liberal arts are broadly defined as studies providing general knowledge, rather than professional or vocational training. Sources used should be academically credible, reliable, and defensible. It is the learner’s responsibility to organize and integrate this liberal arts research into a comprehensive and convincing written presentation of no less than fifteen and no more than twenty, double-spaced pages (not including the title page, abstract, and reference page). The facilitator must approve the problem/issue selected by the learner.
1)
Martin, & Ruhs, M. (2011). Labor Shortages and U.S. Immigration Reform: Promises and Perils of an Independent Commission. International Migration Review, 45(1), 174–187. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-7379.2010.00843.x
One of the biggest arguments for and against immigration reform is jobs. This source discusses labor policy as it relates to immigrants coming into the USA to fill jobs in areas with lower domestic prospects. This source also evaluates Britain’s Migration Advisory Committee and could be a beneficial template for a similar committee in the US.
2)
Chang. (2015). Framing of the Immigration Reform in 2006: A Community Structure Approach. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 92(4), 839–856. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699015594462
This source analyzed a number of newspapers and editorials in various areas of the U.S.A. Its analysis shows that areas with more homogenous populations had more publications describing immigration as “harmful” whereas more ethnically diverse areas had publications describing immigration as “beneficial”.
3)
Peri. (2020). CAN WE GET U.S. CITIZENS TO SUPPORT IMMIGRATION REFORMS? Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 39(1), 279–281. https://doi.org/10.1002/pam.22187
The biggest issue to immigration reform in this country is deciding exactly what that means. Our political divide has meant that common ground is more difficult to find and, as a result, ultimately nothing gets done. This source discusses potential areas of compromise from 2 scholars in the field.
4)
Speelman. (2020). Establishing the National Immigration Administration: Change and Continuity in China’s Immigration Reforms. China Perspectives, 2020(4 (123)), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.4000/chinaperspectives.11103
In 2018, China formed a National Immigration Administration to tackle the growing immigrant population from surrounding countries. This source could provide a model to evaluate reforms that could be adopted by the USA.
5)
Yao, Bolen, J. B., & Williamson, C. R. (2021). The effect of mass legalization on US state-level institutions: Evidence from the immigration reform and control act. Public Choice, 189(3-4), 427–463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11127-021-00894-x
This source examines the lingering effects of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act using models to determine the state-level economics. In the short term it was found that mass legalization was a potential burden on certain areas, but in the long term these effects were found to be negligible.
6)
O’Rourke. (2014). The View of Immigration Reform from the U.S.-Mexico Border. Public Administration Review, 74(3), 302–302. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12209
When we think of immigration we often think of our Southern border more than any other form of migration into the US. This source discusses what reforms those actually at the border would like to see and what would be most beneficial.
