Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
Students create a "peace web,"consider the situation in Sudan through discussion and a video clip, then reconsider what it takes to achieve peace.
Three student readings and discussion questions focus on the need to critically interpret and verify what we see, hear, and read to avoid being swamped by information overload.
Activity and reading on soft money and hardball politics.
Students examine samples of some widely publicized documents released by WikiLeaks; competing views of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks; and what WikiLeaks and the New York Times say about their handling of the materials. Discussion questions and subjects for class debate follow.
Student readings examine the lack of security for civilians; the lives of girls and women and the U.S. outreach to them; and corruption in Afghanistan's government. Discussion questions and suggestions for further student inquiry and citizenship activity follow.
Two student readings describe the origin of the gerrymander, its likely effects following the 2010 elections, and efforts to reform redistricting systems. Discussion questions and suggestions for further student inquiry and citizenship follow.
Three student readings examine Bush's recent statements about torture, the legal advice he received, and excerpts from the ACLU's recent request that Bush be investigated by the Justice Department. Discussion questions and a writing and citizenship activity follow.
Three student readings consider Iraq War documents released by WikiLeaks; the U.S. policies those documents call into question; and information on WikiLeaks and its leader, Julian Assange. Discussion questions and a "constructive controversy" exercise follow.
Two student readings and two supplementary readings explore the big banks' faulty paperwork, robo-signers, and freewheeling fraud, which have devastated the lives of millions of Americans.
Student readings and discussion questions explore 1) the growth of U.S. poverty; 2) multiple perspectives on the causes, effects, and proposed solutions of poverty; 3) the historic levels of inequality; 4) multiple perspectives on the causes and effects of inequality and some proposed solutions; and...