Choose ONE topic from the four listed below. To get familiar with the issues, please do some research on your chosen topic. Although you may find the textbook helpful, you will need to read further and do additional research on your topic.  Average length of the length should be 2-3 double-spaced, typed pages.  Your assignment (research and written paper) should be your own work. Do not work together with others in the class even if you picked the same topic.  When taking a position on an issue, please provide a reasoned opinion and support for your answer. There is not necessarily a “right” or “wrong” answer on these issues. But please present both sides of the issue.  IMPORTANT: You must use proper references in your paper. These include citing to your source with information such as name of publication/website, author, date of publication, page number (where appropriate). ** You must use APA style to cite sources – please review the information provided at https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_g uide/general_format.html . Make sure the writing is your own. Failure to cite properly will result in your grade being penalized.

These are the topics you can choose from, I dont mind pick whatever out of the 3 and i need a citation page. 

Topic 1 Constitutional Law/Equal Protection Background: Even as society becomes more accepting to provide protections to the LGBTQIA+ community, laws across the county are not entirely consistent. While the Supreme Court has ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution requires all states to perform and recognize same-sex marriages, there remains discrimination based on gender identity. For purposes of the written assignment: 1. Review the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges– https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/obergefell-v-hodges/ . Explain some of the background leading up to this decision and its significance. 2. We’ve seen several cases recently in the news involve private businesses that refuse to serve LGBTQIA+ customers on the basis of religious freedoms under the First Amendment. Do you think business should have this right to refuse service? Please explain your answer. 3. Some courts have ruled that federal and state laws do not necessarily provide protection based on gender identity, such as covering transgender individuals. Do you agree with these rulings…why or why not?

Topic 2 Employment Law/Paid Leave Background: As our nation continues to come to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the many challenges has been employers that do not grant adequate paid leave. Workers who cannot work remotely face a tough choice when they get ill, have to take care of an ill family member, or become new parents. We are currently watching Congress struggle at the federal level to try to enact legislation to provide for some level of paid leave to workers. For purposes of the written assignment: 1. While the U.S. does not yet have laws at the federal level, most other industrialized countries do. Several states and local governments have enacted legislation requiring employers to provide paid leave to their employees — https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/employee-leave.aspx . Do you agree with the enactment of these laws? Why or why not? 2. Businesses often object to the requirement to provide paid leave on the basis that the cost would be too burdensome. As a result, less than 50% of lower-paid employees have access to any paid leave. Do you think businesses make a valid argument about the added cost of providing paid leave? Please explain. 3. When thinking about this issue, what specific lessons can be learned from the COVID-19 crisis in terms of the link between public health and slowing the spread of contagious illnesses?

Topic 3 Labor Law/Right to Unionize Background: Over the course of the last few decades, there has been a decrease in the number of employees that belong to unions. Historically, labor unions were instrumental in securing valuable employment protections, such as the 40-hour workweek and health care. As the economy has moved away from manufacturing and public sector jobs, union jobs have declined significantly. For purposes of the written assignment: 1. The Biden administration has indicated a desire to strengthen workers’ rights, including making it easier for workers who choose to unionize to do so. For example, the President signed an executive order aimed at strengthening union jobs in construction — https://thehill.com/regulation/labor/592871-biden-signs-executive-order-on-labor-forfederal-construction-projects. What are your thoughts on the Biden’s administration’s proposal? 2. Do you believe that a weakened labor (union) movement has led to rising economic inequality or do you think it has provided more opportunity to workers (for example, by allowing business to grow and provide more jobs)? 3. Employees at technology giants such as Google and Amazon are pushing to form unions. What do you think is behind the motivation for workers in the technology industry to want to become unionized?