1) Understanding key concepts used by participants in a debate on an important public issue;

2) Analyzing key arguments on an important social issue;

3) Developing your own argument on the question where you defend a position;

4) Writing clearly and persuasively in your own voice.  

Task: Using your best writing skills, write and upload an essay in response to the following (word length of no less than than 300 to no more than 500 words):

“In their study on “Rising Morbidity and Mortality …” Case and Deaton (2015) identify an unusual change in health outcomes for some men in the U.S.. What is that trend and which group was affected? According to the authors, why did this change in morbidity and mortality occur? Do you agree that these are the likely causes? Why or why not?”