Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
How do you pick a candidate? Statements from four candidates on major issues are followed by discussion questions, an exercise on recognizing factual statements and opinions, and suggestions for student inquiry.
Because this federal law has personal meanings for students, it is an excellent subject for independent and small-group inquiries. Two student readings outline the law's major provisions, the Bush administration's defense of it, and criticisms.
Three student readings include conflicting accounts of air attacks by the U.S. military and by survivors; media coverage of the attacks; and a brief overview of the growing lethality of air assaults since World War I and the devastating effect on civilians.
The role of religion in politics has become a controversial 2008 election issue. Following an introductory quiz, three student readings address the Constitution and the founders on religion, presidential candidates' speeches on faith and politics, and the appropriateness of religious questions...
Student readings explore the complex relationship between the U.S. & Iran, including controversy stemming from the recent finding that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program.
America's low-income "missing class" is the subject of one student reading; another reading explores proposals to help these Americans enter the middle class. Ideas for further inquiry follow.
Student readings explore the complex relationship between the U.S. & Iraq. Students will consider many views, including those of the leading presidential candidates.
A student questionnaire, two readings, and discussion questions explore media coverage of the 2008 election, including The Project for Excellence in Journalism's finding that almost two-thirds of coverage is devoted to the campaign's horse race aspects.
Three readings help students consider the president's "war on terror" strategy, statements by Bush's critics, and what constitutes torture. Discussion questions and other student activities follow.
Two student readings examine the practice of earmarking in bills and the connection between earmark spending and political campaign cash.