Books in Changing Perspectives series

This engrossing set presents articles and opinion pieces on major social, cultural, and political issues, tracking how coverage of and perspectives on these topics have shifted with time and new revelations. Scientific discoveries, social activism, and historical events have changed how the public sees and thinks about such topics as women's roles, war, drugs, minority rights, and immigration. Through the decades, The New York Times' coverage on these subjects reflects changes in social norms, enlightening today's readers on how our own perspectives today may vastly change in the future as new information and attitudes come to light. Features include: Expertly written introductions that provide context for each curated volume, equipping readers to understand the broader narrative in which each article is situated. Readers encounter various types of news stories, such as feature stories, letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, book and movie reviews, obituaries, and interviews. Media literacy questions encourage students to assess each article critically, identify sources and perspective, and evaluate the ways in which information is presented.

This engrossing set presents articles and opinion pieces on major social, cultural, and political issues, tracking how coverage of and perspectives on these topics have shifted with time and new revelations. Scientific discoveries, social activism, and historical events have changed how the public sees and thinks about such topics as women's roles, war, drugs, minority rights, and immigration. Through the decades, The New York Times' coverage on these subjects reflects changes in social norms, enlightening today's readers on how our own perspectives today may vastly change in the future as new information and attitudes come to light. Features include: Expertly written introductions that provide context for each curated volume, equipping readers to understand the broader narrative in which each article is situated. Readers encounter various types of news stories, such as feature stories, letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, book and movie reviews, obituaries, and interviews. Media literacy questions encourage students to assess each article critically, identify sources and perspective, and evaluate the ways in which information is presented.

The public's perception of war changed drastically following the Vietnam War, as it was the first time the American public encountered an endless stream of graphic coverage of military conflict abroad. Still, the public often seems divided on the necessity of military engagement for defense or to promote regional stability and the tolls of war: loss, destruction, and veterans requiring lifelong care. These articles document changing attitudes toward war, compiling New York Times coverage as far back as the Civil War and continuing through twenty-first-century conflicts, including those in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Attitudes toward crime and punishment have changed with societal shifts in American culture. Changing perspectives on addiction, sexual assault, and other behaviors have sparked changes in legislation, judicial attitudes, and sentencing guidelines. The articles in this collection map evolving attitudes toward what can be conceived of as criminal and how these conceptions mirror larger social movements over time. In many cases, the heavy hand of the law or, alternatively, the lukewarm reaction to certain kinds of criminal activity has resulted in epidemics that continue to the present day.

Perhaps no topic reflects changing societal attitudes in the United States quite like race relations. this book compiles articles published by The New York Times through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries reflecting changing attitudes toward race relations. Coverage includes articles published during the Civil Rights Movement, reflections on police brutality and disproportionate incarceration rates of racial minorities, and pieces on triumphant moments, such as the election of Barack Obama. Readers will encounter the nuances of public attitudes toward race and how they've shifted with time, and have a way to go yet.

Since the mid-nineteenth century, medicine has undergone a revolution, improving the quality and length of human life in the process. With fascinating detail, this volume traces the evolution of treatments for a variety of conditions. Antiseptics and anesthesia made surgery possible and survivable. Vaccines wiped out the lethal illnesses of cholera, typhus, polio, yellow fever, and others. While smallpox was declared officially eradicated in 1980, another devastating disease surfaced on the world stage, HIV/AIDS, to further challenge the development of medical treatments. Today, DNA, artificial intelligence, and stem cell therapy are some of the weapons used to fight against pain and disease. Media literacy terms and questions round out the text and aid readers in analyzing over a century of news coverage.

Sex and sexuality remain contentious issues in twenty-first century America, dividing the country across religious and cultural lines. This volume traces the evolution of attitudes on gay and lesbian issues, transgender identities, women's rights, and sexual behaviors and consent. Going from the mid-twentieth century to the present day, the articles speak to the ongoing debate as writers and journalists attempt to make sense of the diverse sexual expressions found in human society and document the struggles toward greater acceptance and tolerance.

Birth control has existed in many forms over the course of history, but in the United States, the term itself was not in popular discourse until 1914. At that time, it was illegal to even distribute information about birth control. In the 1950s, the first oral contraceptive, known simply as "the pill" was developed. It was approved for use in the United States in 1960, and the uphill battle for religious and political approval began. This compilation includes New York Times articles that span a period of more than one hundred years. They provide vital context on birth control to those who want to know how we arrived at the medical, social, and political moment of today. Media literacy terms and questions are included to engage readers and activate critical thinking skills.