Criteria For Topics The issue should be one that is negatively affecting some portion of the United States, where some actual harm or inefficiency must be taking place. It shouldn't simply be a controversial topic (vaccines or climate change); likewise, it shouldn't simply be a broad category ("diversity" is not itself a problem, for instance, although there are many more specific issues that fall under this broad category). The issue should be a current, ongoing problem. For the purposes of this assignment, don't select a future concern (like climate change or the potential dangers of artificial intelligence), or an issue that has been largely solved. The issue should be complex enough that there is no single solution everyone agrees is correct. The opioid crisis, political polarization, or declining infrastructure would work, but many technical problems have just one main path to a solution. (One way to double-check: if a team of experts would all agree on how to solve the problem, it doesn't work for our purposes.) The issue should have multiple root causes. As a group, you will discuss topic ideas, and then identify some root causes of the problem. Each group member should be assigned a separate root cause to research; ultimately, you will present a speech explaining the root cause to your group (in Lesson 6). Here is an example topic, with root causes, for a group of five people. (Note that you can't use this example in your own group.) Example Issue Prison Recidivism (people released from prison who commit crimes and are re-imprisoned) Example Root Causes Mental health problems Lack of transitional services (halfway houses, etc.) Limited employment options No training on reintegrating Returning back to the peer group who got them into trouble the first time