Curated OER
Changing Planet: Infectious Diseases Classroom Activity
Here is a different approach: emerging epidemiologists first go home to interview family on the topic of infectious disease. Then they come to class and view a video and PowerPoint that explore how climate change may increase the...
Curated OER
Humor and Anthropology/Ethnic Humor
By posing controversial questions about racially charged words and jokes, this presentation explores the function and use of ethnic humor. Sure to inspire debates and discussions in your sociology or anthropology class, the slideshow...
Pulitzer Center
International Aid and Fragile States
"States suffering from internal conflict, weak infrastructures, lack of economic development, and general instability are emerging as a large threat to the international security." What factors contribute to the creation of a fragile...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Youth Curfews
Don't stay out too late! Scholars analyze the need for youth curfews in a democratic society. They examine primary documents, case studies, and short video clips to form their opinions and take a position on the issue. Holding a class...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: The United States, France, and the Problem of Neutrality, 1796–1801
While the French Revolution could be considered inspired by the American Revolution, it created thorny problems for the new United States. Should the United States get involved and be drawn into a European drama? Was the US strong...
Curated OER
The Cricket World Cup
Pupils explore the influence of politics on the Cricket World Cup. Students research and gather information on the World Cup. They create a report on their findings. Pupils debate why England should or should not stay out of Zimbabwe.
Curated OER
The Commission of Inquiry
Students explore the role and functions of a commission of inquiry and participate in a democratic debate.
Curated OER
How Are Boundaries Made, Kept, Broken?
Students examine the different perspectives of Igbo women. They simulate a silent debate in response to the question, "Is the Igbo society sexist?" They write their response to the question and exchange papers with their partner as the...
Curated OER
Simulating the Legislative Process
Students research and simulate a debate of an issue. They simulate proposing a bill to the legislature.
Curated OER
What are the Issues?
Seventh graders complete political analysis activities. In this political analysis lesson, 7th graders discuss party platforms and research party issues for their party's candidate's positions. Students complete an issues organizer and...
Curated OER
And Your Point Is . . .? Part I
Students, in groups, complete a WebQuest titled "Love Canal Debate". They follow the WebQuest to research and write papers on different points of view regarding the Love Canal environmental disaster.
Curated OER
Bioterrorism
Students research bioterrorism and then create two political cartoons, one that shows the viewpoint that bioterrorism is not a threat and one that shows the viewpoint that it is.
Curated OER
Them Damned Pictures
Students examine and gather information from primary sources about events during the Revolutionary War. They identify and place the political cartoons. They respond to a cartoon from the point of view of someone who lived at the time.
Curated OER
Voting
Students participate in a role play where they run for office and address the issues they want to fix. In this voting lesson plan, students then vote on which candidate they want to run their classroom.
Curated OER
Honoring An Imperial Legacy
Students research, compare, and identify imperial Rome's impact on modern governments. They compare the political system of ancient Rome to modern political systems throughout the world.
Curated OER
Civil Service Reform: Senate Debates
High schoolers examine the 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. They discuss the spoils system, answer discussion questions, read and analyze speeches, complete a worksheet summarizing their findings, and report their findings to the...
Curated OER
John Gary Evans and the Politics of Race
Students read letters written by Evans and Gunton regarding race relations. In this Progressive Movement lesson, students interpret the intentions and tone of the letters to understand contemporary racial beliefs. Students discuss the...
Curated OER
The Global Warming Debate and the Arctic Ice Cap
In this global warming and the Arctic ice cap learning exercise, students use two graphs showing data about the amount of Arctic sea ice between 1950 and 2006 and the percent of people surveyed that believe the Earth has gotten warmer...
Curated OER
Do We Need a Permanenet International Criminal Court?: War Crimes, Violence, International Law and Politics, Nuremberg
In this lesson plan, students explore the history, relevance and current application of international tribunals for war crimes. Students look at cases from the Nuremberg trials, Tokyo trials and the Bosnian War.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Debating Aid to Micronesia
Students simulate a debate about continued U.S. aid to the Federated States of Micronesia. In two large groups, they research the history of Micronesia and how it was affected by colonization and trusteeship. After the debate, students...
Curated OER
Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Students examine the transcripts of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and create a platform for each candidate in the 1858 Senate race. They utilize the candidates' arguments to explore the historical and political impact.
Curated OER
Civil Service Reform: Senate Debates
Eleventh graders outline civil service reform proposals made by Senators during debates on Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. They interpret 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act to see if it incorporated Senators' proposals or...
Curated OER
The Ratification Debate
Eighth graders investigate the debate in order to understand the Ratification in context of the period of history being studied. They read text answer questions through identifying the differences between Federalists and Antifederalists.
Curated OER
Tread Lightly: Global Climate Change Debate
Students participate in a group simulation to negotiate their country's stance on climate change initiatives at the U.N. In this climate change lesson, students write statements and engage in negotiations to create climate change policy....