University of Akron

Human Relations
Fall 2010
2040 240 003/14
Instructor: Bruce Freeman

Oral Team Presentation

Objective: As a team of two, jointly conduct research on a relevant

topic of interest (possibly controversial!) from the class, readings and
lectures, and present, in oral form, the issue’s positive and negative
features (pros and cons). The oral report topic must be different from
your written research report. One of you can present the pros and the
other the cons. Or, select a different approach. Use your imagination.
Make your case to the class!! Sample topics will be available on the
class website.

Basics: Each presentation must be no longer than 10 minutes total

(5 minutes max per person). The first presenter of the group should
present the basic nature of the topic to the class. Each presenter
is to clearly discuss the basic elements of their oral piece, using the
chalkboard, easel, wall charts, handouts, overlay equipment,
PowerPoint or other tools, if needed. You need not present a point of
view you personally agree with. The point is to jointly research, analyze
and present varying points of view on a controversial subject that may
or may not be in conflict with more widely held beliefs, values and
norms that prevail today in the United States.

Topics must be presented in writing on the form provided by

October 4 and be pre-approved by the Instructor. Contact me if there
are any questions as you progress on this task.

The oral reports will be given the last sessions of this class beginning
on November 22. Everyone should be prepared to present by
November 22.

Have fun working together on this with your partner! Contact me in

person if you have any questions.
“Sample” Topics (these are just possible topics. You may have your
own topic to use!)

*Why Living in Today's World Can Be Harmful to Your Mental

Health

*Codependency: What Is It and What To Do About It?

*Why Dr. Phil Is So Successful

*Dr. Phil is a Media Creation

*Freud's Psychosexual Stages of Development

*Arthur Adler and the Inferiority Complex: A Brief Summary

*Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Where Do I Stand?

*Long-Term Stress Impact of 9/11 on NYC Residents*What is

"Hardiness"?

*How My Friends Help Me Cope With Stress

*The Health-related Impacts of Forgiveness

*Prejudice and Discrimination: What Do they Mean and How

Are They Related: Some Examples

*The Differences in Male vs. Female Sexual Socialization

*Changing Attitudes Towards Homosexuality in America:

Current Trends

*Why I Am Cohabiting With My Partner

*Why I Think Cohabitation is Immoral

*What is Marital "Cheating"?

*Why Partners Have Problems with Sex In Their Relationships:

Main Causes

*Depression in My Family: A Case History of My (Dad, Mom,

Brother, Sister, Grandparent)
*Does Stress Lead to Physical Disease like Cancer?

*What's the Cause of "Obesity? Is there a Cure?

*I am Abnormal, and Am Coping With It

*Narcissism: Looking in the Mirror

*Borderline Personality: What Is It and It's Characteristics

*My Panic Attack: A Documentary

*Anorexia: New Treatments

*Are Drugs Always the Answer to Mental Disorder?

*What is Insanity? Does it Exist? Did it Ever Exist?

*I Researched the Psych Ward at Akron General and This is

What I Learned

*Why so many mentally ill people are in prisons

*Birth Order Theories: Why They Makes Sense in My Family