Controversial+Issues

Articles


 * # What is the social studies question you would feel most uncomfortable asking to a teenage student? Why? ||

=PAST COHORT ANSWERS= Anything that gets me on my soapbox (for example: political ideologies (because of the awareness of the need for restraint), environmental issues) religions: talking about them "scientifically" / staying non-emotional regarding religion (esp. in military communities) causes and effects of great depression (emotionally charged in times of recession/depression)

Holocaust
Cartoons that are biased ("Rat" in WWII Holocaust) Age appropriateness Does it "exist" Neo-nazi propaganda? Should you stop the hate?

Muslim population
Loyalty to the faith Jihad ethnic backgrounds overkill faith

Watts Riots
race riots the truth must be kept community that destroys itself Slavery as an economically viable institute

Other
Controversy driven by the teacher vs. driven by the student Death Penalty Abortion Sex -Pornography -Sexism -Religions -Drug Use -Killing -Race -Money -politics

USING The Above LIST, Select ONE item, Apply the lenses of PERSIA, share with the class. PERSIA is a way to look at an issue/event/topic from multiple perspectives, and often can get someone out of the realm of controversial and into the realm of academic. P = Political (Anything with authority, government, power structures, military) E = Economics, Allocations, Relationship with class system R = Religion (Philosophies, Belief Systems, Ideologies) S = Social (Anything with a rank or hierarchy, any division or categorization) I = Intellect (Technology of the Day A = Arts (Art and Culture as Reflectors and as Creators of Social Norms)

Taking one item Sexism, for example: P = Female positions of power in highest levels of governemnt E = Economic Differences in Same Job Wages R = Patriarchal Societies S = Gender Differences I = Gender Neutral Pronouns A = Gender Roles in TV and film.

SPRITE is another acronym meaning Social, Political, Religious, Intellectual, Technological, Economical.

=DISCUSSION= IN ORDER TO HAVE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES...BUT STAY OUT OF TROUBLE, Follow this list:

1. Talk to your administrator 2. “Controversial issues” paragraph… 3. Say things for reasons: e.g. enhance the overall education of the student body 4. Have student state controversial statements 5. Bring in second teacher 6. Calm down situation by showing both sides….rephrase, rephrase, rephrase 7. Follow debate rules w/ moderator 8. Blame an expert 9. Balance the articles/readings 10. Follow the //Cold Historian// Concept -Delay Judgment -Keep your personal opinions out, so that they can form their own opinions -Take the personal out of history so that you can logically talk about controversy

= LESSONS [] =