Goal for the day: For students to clarify their own views on foreign policy
We started with a "memory test" to refresh the content we studied last week after the three day weekend. We then reviewed the three strategies we are using to understand the First Amendment: looking at connections to current events, strategizing on big issues, and studying relevant case law.
We ended last week with our seminar on ISIS or the Islamic State and the role of the United States in promoting first amendment freedoms in other countries. I pushed a number of arguments to gauge individuals willingness to intervene in other countries to protect fundamental freedoms. Most were hesitant for the United States to get involved.
After a summary of where we're headed for the week, we picked up this discussion using clips from the television show The West Wing to revisit the U.S. role in the Middle East. In the clip, communications director Toby is arguing with ex-wife and congresswoman Andrea about a speech the President plans to give to the United Nations. Toby says "They'll like us when we win."
We went from this into a four corners activity, as students allied themselves with one of four viewpoints on U.S. foreign policy, interventionist and isolationist perspectives from both the conservative and liberal points of view. We discussed the reasons for students' choices. Students then posted in their personal First Amendment Google Doc on the following question: In what way are 1st amendment freedoms important beyond our borders and how as a country should we support them?
After break, we broke into issue groups and we started the process of mapping the causes of the issues we've been looking at: overpopulation, climate change, pollution, lack of clean water, and global peace. I passed out this handout illustrating the different maps that you can make to analyze an issue or problem and decide on an action strategy.
Assignment for Wednesday, September 24th
None.
We started with a "memory test" to refresh the content we studied last week after the three day weekend. We then reviewed the three strategies we are using to understand the First Amendment: looking at connections to current events, strategizing on big issues, and studying relevant case law.
We ended last week with our seminar on ISIS or the Islamic State and the role of the United States in promoting first amendment freedoms in other countries. I pushed a number of arguments to gauge individuals willingness to intervene in other countries to protect fundamental freedoms. Most were hesitant for the United States to get involved.
After a summary of where we're headed for the week, we picked up this discussion using clips from the television show The West Wing to revisit the U.S. role in the Middle East. In the clip, communications director Toby is arguing with ex-wife and congresswoman Andrea about a speech the President plans to give to the United Nations. Toby says "They'll like us when we win."
We went from this into a four corners activity, as students allied themselves with one of four viewpoints on U.S. foreign policy, interventionist and isolationist perspectives from both the conservative and liberal points of view. We discussed the reasons for students' choices. Students then posted in their personal First Amendment Google Doc on the following question: In what way are 1st amendment freedoms important beyond our borders and how as a country should we support them?
After break, we broke into issue groups and we started the process of mapping the causes of the issues we've been looking at: overpopulation, climate change, pollution, lack of clean water, and global peace. I passed out this handout illustrating the different maps that you can make to analyze an issue or problem and decide on an action strategy.
Assignment for Wednesday, September 24th
None.