NOTE: These topics are copyrighted by
Dr. Loretta Kasper
Permission to use these topics must be obtained IN WRITING from Dr. Kasper
email: lkasper@kbcc.cuny.edu
Business
Essay Topic: Discuss the psychological factors involved in advertising. How do advertisers use the basic determinants of consumer behavior--needs, motives, perceptions, and attitudes--in designing product advertisements? What types of ads are most likely to appeal to or change our needs, motives, perceptions, and attitudes?
Essay Topic: Define the four marketing utilities and explain their role in business.
Computer Science
Essay Topic: Trace the developments in the history of the computer
Essay Topic: Discuss how computer has changed education. How specifically is/can technology be used in classroom to improve learning and instruction?
Environmental Science
Essay Topic: Imagine that it is the year 2050. Although governments and their citizens were warned about the dangers of the greenhouse effect as early as the 1970's, they did not take the necessary steps to prevent it from worsening. As a result, global warming and ozone depletion continued unchecked. In a well-organized essay, describe what life would be like in 2050 under these conditions. What would be the state of the climate? What would the nations of the world look like? What would be the day-to-day living conditions of the people of the world?
Essay Topic: Describe one of the following earthquakes:
The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
The Northridge Earthquake of 1994
The Haicheng Earthquake of 1975
The Prince William Sound Earthquake of 1964
The San Francisco Earthquake of 1989
Be sure to include all important information, such as the date of the earthquake, the magnitude of the earthquake, any precursors to the earthquake, the major effects of the earthquake. Please include a bibliography containing at least two sources in addition to your textbook reading. These sources may be print or electronic.
Psychology
Essay Topic: Discuss the various components of human memory. What is the difference between Short-term memory and Long-term memory? How are memories stored in the brain? What can we do to help improve our memory?
Essay Topic: Do you think that the families of schizophrenics should be responsible for the decision to commit the schizophrenic, or do you believe that a person, even if diagnosed as schizophrenic, should have some say in the decision to commit? In your answer be sure to use concrete examples from the readings and other materials used for the lesson. Provide both psychological and physiological support for your opinion.