EGL 102 - Bustamante/Sedam - Online - Summer 2025

AI in the classroom

Possible arguments:
Whether or not to allow AI aka ChatGPT into the classroom. Can this program be used responsibly by college students or is it a way to cheat?

Proponents v. Opponents:
AI/ChatGPT has been on the minds of educators since its inception and presentation to the public.  Can it help with brainstorming?  Can it write a whole paper? Can it help ESL students with language learning?  Does it plagiarize online copyrighted materials?   Will it make students dependent on it?  Should educators just embrace it for its positive potential?

Suggested Search Terms:

• AI chatbots
• ChatGPT
• Google’s Bard
• Meta AI
• LLM’s (large language models)

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

guided pathways model

Possible arguments:
Whether or not to require the “Guided Pathways to Success” model for all students.

Proponents vs. Opponents:
The Guided Pathways to Success model (GPS) requires students to declare a major immediately, the college then picks the courses they need, and the student goes through a guided schedule with fellow majors each semester.  Studies indicate that students tend to be unsure about what classes to take and how to graduate in a timely manner.  Still opponents wonder if this model will diminish a student’s ability to explore classes and different majors before committing to a major.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Guided Pathways to Success (GPS)
• Guided pathways
• On-time graduation
• Rates of completion
• Retention rates
• Rates of persistence

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

online remedial/general level math

Possible arguments:
Whether or not to teach remedial and general level math classes MAINLY using an online interactive program such as MyMathLab (all one word) or ALEKS

Proponents vs. Opponents:
These programs have gotten very popular on many college campuses because students can go at their own pace, review the lesson more than once, and work in increments, yet not all students learn best while solely working on a computer. Proponents of developmental education feel that students with learning challenges do not prosper in this environment.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Developmental math programs
• Accelerated developmental math
• Rates of persistence
• Rates of completion
• Online interactive teaching platforms

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

Open Education Resources (OER)

Possible arguments:
Whether or not to offer Open Education Resources or OER in order to provide free access to textbooks.

Proponents vs. Opponents:
Textbooks are expensive and students have experienced challenges paying for them.  Textbooks, however, have had a prominent place in learning and studying.  Students can highlight and mark pages.  Still, does the added expense keep some students from buying and using them thus jeopardizing their ability to pass the course?  OER’s are free online textbooks, but they haven’t always seemed to be as rigorously proofread or the authors as well-known as traditional textbooks authors.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Open Access
• Open Education Resources or OER
• Cost of textbooks
• Merlot Open textbooks

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

free tuition

Possible arguments:
Whether or not community college tuition should be free nation-wide.

Proponents vs. Opponents:
President Obama and Hilary Clinton (Governor Pritzker as well) have made this proposal and noted many benefits, but opponents are worried about the costs to taxpayers along with whether colleges can effectively serve a higher number of students.  Half the states have already adopted this policy.  Proponents believe a more educated population means smarter and more compassionate voters/citizens.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Free community college
• America’s College Promise
• Cost of college tuition + rates of attrition
• free tuition
• tuition-free
• affordable tuition
• tuition rebate
• tuition costs

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

STEM grants & scholarships

Possible arguments:
Whether or not STEM students should receive more grants and scholarships because they are majoring in a field for which America has designated a need.

Proponents v. Opponents:
STEM majors get more grants and scholarships because America values these majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).  Also, American students seem to need motivation to take these demanding majors.  Still opponents ask, why do STEM majors get significant financial help when other college majors do not?

Suggested Search Terms:

• STEM for college students
• STEM and financial aid
• STEM and scholarships

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

dual enrollment

Possible arguments:
Whether or not high schools and community colleges should encourage “dual enrollment”

Proponents vs. Opponents:
Dual enrollment allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college classes and earn college credit. Proponents say this will close the gap between high school and college giving students a peek into what college is like. Opponents worry that if the student isn’t ready, and does poorly, this is reflected on their college transcript. The poor grade on the transcript may also hurt the student’s ability to be accepted into a college.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Dual enrollment
• Concurrent enrollment

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

“in loco parentis”

Possible arguments: 
Whether or not go away colleges should enact “in loco parentis” which allows colleges to decide what is best for students with the purpose of acting as a parent 

Proponents vs. Opponents:
When students go away to college, they often do things their parents would not approve of aka risky behaviors.  Colleges have begun to put “in loco parentis” into action deciding what students can and cannot do (also where they can and cannot go).  Proponents feel this keeps students out of trouble.  Opponents argue that too many of the students’ rights are being taken away.  

Suggested Search Terms:

• in loco parentis

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

faculty tenure

Possible arguments:
Whether or not tenure should continue to be granted to college and university faculty..

Proponents vs. Opponents:
Tenure grants the faculty member a guaranteed lifetime job.  Once a faculty member has tenure, it is nearly impossible to fire them.  Faculty feel tenure allows them to be fearless in the classroom.  Faculty can broach uncomfortable topics in the classroom without fear of a student complaint leading to them being fired. Critics feel tenure creates lazy faculty who no longer strive for excellence knowing they can’t be fired.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Tenure in Higher Education

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"

mental health counselors & programs

Possible arguments:

Whether or not to provide more mental health counselors and programs for students

Proponents vs. Opponents:
Mental health counselors are often just a few licensed practitioners on campus.  The demand by students to see them has been growing significantly.  Colleges and universities have been slow to hire more as the cost of hiring is expensive.  Opponents worry about the effect on the cost of tuition.  Proponents believe a mental health crisis is being ignored.

Suggested Search Terms:

• Mental health crisis in colleges and universities
• demand for mental health programs in higher education

Source: Class handout "Argument Topics for EGL 102"