Saying Goodbye to Issues

In order to finish out the year, you have two tasks to complete:

1. Complete this EVALUATION for the Marketplace of Ideas and the class overall.  It is due to turnitin before your last class.
2. Do a final blog post that says good bye to your readers and followers (or describes how you will be continuing to blog on your Issues blog or a new one you create).  Consider the state of "issues in America" (actual issues, not the class).  What issues continue to be important today?  What do you want your readers to continue to pay attention to, do, or watch out for?  Are you optimistic about the world today or not?  Why?  Work to be specific in your post. As always, this post is due by 11:59 PM on Sunday night.

Tomorrow in class, we'll talk about current events/issues. Please take a look at the news and come prepared to speak.
We'll say our goodbyes in class on Monday, where among other things, it is ask Kramer anything day... : )

Genocide Awareness

Browse the following links and then add a comment to this post about something specific that stood out to you and why:
The U.S. says ISIS is committing Genocide
Acts of Genocide Since the Adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide in 1951
Wall St. Journal Runs an Ad Denying the Armenian Genocide
Early Warning Project Map
          Video describing the Early Warning Project
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: A Force for Change
National Geographic Series on Remembering the Rwandan Genocide
10 Stages of Genocide
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power on Never Again

The Marketplace of Ideas

Here are the instructions for The Marketplace of Ideas.

Here is the form to use to submit your issue proposal: Marketplace Proposal Form

IMPORTANT DATES:
4/24: Blog Post One Due
4/27: Proposal Due
5/1: Blog Post Two Due
5/5: Publicity Flier Due
5/6: One page program description due
5/8: Blog Post Three Due
5/10: Project (Bookstore Lobby) and Bibliography (turnitin) Due

BRAINSTORMING LINKS

• Browse the topics at any of the "issues" based subscription databases:
• CQ Researcher
• Opposing Viewpoints
• Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society
• Check out the documentaries at:
• Frontline
• Sixty Minutes
• Read the news:
• CNN
• FOX
• NYTimes
• Chicago Tribune
• Read Blogs:
• Huffington
• Newsmax
• Salon
• Slate

Room Schedule

	Per. One	Per. 6
Wed. 4/20 (56)	Q118	xxxx
Thu. 4/21 (34)	Q118	Q118
Fri. 4/22 (12)	xxx	Q118
Mon. 4/25 (LS)	D106	G102
Tue. 4/26 (78)	D106	Q118
Wed. 4/27 (56)	D106	xxxx
Thu. 4/28 (34)	Q118	G102
Fri. 4/29 (12)	xxxx	G102
Mon. 5/2 (LS)	D106	G102
Tue. 5/3 (78)	D106	Q118
Wed. 5/4 (56)	D106	xxxx
Thu. 5/5 (34)	Q118	G102
Fri. 5/6 (12)	xxxx	G102
Mon. 5/9 (LS)	Q118	Q118
Tue. 5/10 (78)	Bookstore Lobby	Bookstore Lobby

More Thoughts on Race and Unit Assessment

After discussing If I Were a Poor Black Kid and the responses to it, your task is to choose one of these articles to explore.
Time Person of the Year #4: Black Lives Matter
Race and Reality in America: Five Key Findings
Worst States for Black Americans
This week's blog post (4/17) should be connected to issues about race relations in America. It should specifically reference and make connections between the articles read in class today and the article you selected to read from the links above.

To finish this unit, we'll return to where we started, the Fisher v. The University of Texas-Austin case. Your assignment is to write a 1-2 page editorial, arguing how the Court should rule and why. This is your final piece of formal writing for the year, so make it your best.  Make sure that your assertion is clear and that it is supported by specific evidence. Evidence should come from the materials provided in class or if researched, should be properly cited (footnoted).  Your editorial is due to be submitted to turnitin.com prior to the start of your last class period next week (either 4/21 or 4/22).

Reactions to the Michigan Cases

Today in class, we'll continue to examine reactions to the University of Michigan affirmative action cases. With a partner, you'll examine these political cartoons: Drawing a Mixed Reaction and complete the following:

Analyze the cartoon below in terms of its meaning related to the Michigan affirmative action cases, Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger.

1. What do you see in the cartoon? Make a list. Include objects, people, and any characteristics that seem to be exaggerated.
2. Which of the items on the list from Question 1 are symbols? What does each symbol stand for?
3. What is happening in the cartoon?
4. What is the cartoonist's message?
5. Do you agree or disagree with the message? Explain your answer.

Then, you and your partner will work to create your own political cartoon in response to the Michigan cases. You may use any of the information that we've looked at as a resource for your point of view. 

U. of Califorinia-Davis v. Bakke

We closed the week by looking at the Regents of the University of California-Davis Medical School v. Alan Bakke. We looked at the background of the case, the arguments, a summary of the decision and key excerpts. All can be found in this packet: Bakke and Affirmative Action Cases . At the end of class we looked at the next activity in the packet which is comparing the Harvard and Michigan admissions policies that were developed as a result of the Bakke decision. Finish the Venn Diagram in the packet as that's the first thing we'll look at on Monday.

Affirmative Action in College Admissions

After reading and discussing this article that describes the Fisher v. University of Texas-Austin case currently being decided by the Supreme Court, we participated in the college admissions process by completing the activities in this packet: College Admissions Game.

Finishing the Quarter (and Extra Credit Opportunity)

Required Task: Mock Trial Self-Evaluation.

Optional Tasks: Catch up with current events and your blogs. Consider reading and learning more about the bombing in Brussels, President Obama in Cuba, the presidential primaries, etc.

Extra Credit Opportunity:  Since this semester has already been quite full with (hopefully) interesting, provocative, and somewhat difficult issues, I've decided that rather than requiring an outside reading book this semester, it will be an optional, extra credit opportunity.
Here are the requirements:
The book that you'll read is called Mizzoula by Jon Krakauer. You'll first need to purchase the book and then make time to read it. You then have a number of options to consider in order to receive credit.  Choose one of the following:
1) Find a partner and read it together. Then complete your blog posts as you did the outside reading for first semester (three posts, comments on each of your partner's posts, responses to each comment).
2) Write a more traditional book report/review. See the link for the guidelines. Book Report Instructions
3) Participate in a book discussion group. It will be hosted by me and take place at a time convenient to all. You will be responsible for running the discussion.  Group Discussion Sign Up
4) Form a small group 4-6 people and do a videotaped or podcasted group discussion on the book. Post the discussion to your blog.


After a I judge that there has been a thorough and satisfactory completion of any of these tasks (there must be a clear indication that the book was read in its entirety), you will receive the extra credit discussed in class.

Finishing the Trials

As we start to finish up our trials, those groups that finish can begin working on your self/group assessments which you can find here: Self-Assessment.

Mock Trial Prep Contd.

All week you've been continuing with your preparations for your mock trials. By the end of your last class period of the week, you should be finished with your direct examination and cross examination questions. Everything needs to be finished by class time on Monday so that you can use class time on that day to prepare, practice and rehearse.
I am going to make a shared folder for your group. Please make sure that all of your prepared materials are in that folder as soon as you are finished.

TRIAL TIP: If you have a witness who forgets what they are supposed to say during direct OR if you have a witness who contradicts their witness statement on either direct or cross, use this format to refresh their recollection or point out their inconsistencies: Refreshing Recollection

Mock Trial Preparation

Today we'll begin the preparation of our mock trials. You'll meet your team and select your roles and tasks.  Here is the list of cases and which side you'll be on.  Mock Trial Groups 2016
When you have your team roles decided, please fill in the appropriate form below:
Team Roles Per. 1
Team Roles Per. 6

The rest of the resources to use in the preparation for your mock trials are linked in the tab above.

Sexual Assault Contd.

After our discussions about the articles you've read over the last few days, today we will start the film, The Hunting Ground (the film is available to rent at the link).

For your last portfolio entry, please respond to the topic of sexual assault. Use specifics from the articles and films to support your response. Consider any or all of the following questions in your response (you are not limited to these questions-if there are other issues you've been considering about this topic, feel free to address those): What is your review or assessment of The Hunting Ground? What, if anything, does the film prompt you to do? The film received a 93% positive rating at rottentomatoes.com. Here are a few of those positive reviews and one critique of the film. What are your reactions after reading them? Tribune Review, NY Times Review, Slate Review. What information that you learned over the last few days is most surprising and why? Does a "rape culture" exist? If so, what is its impact?  What kind of responsibility do colleges have to address the issue of sexual assault on their campuses? Why don't they seem to take it more seriously? What should sexual assault awareness programs address? Why? What is the role of bystanders? What other issues that were raised in the articles that you read are most important to you?  Why?

Your entire portfolio must be submitted to turnitin.com by class time on Monday, Feb. 29. Here is the link to the checklist of entries that should be included as well as the rubric that I'll be using to assess your work: Portfolio Rubric.

Don't forget, you need to read and annotate your mock trial packet by Monday as well so organize your time accordingly.

Sexual Assault

Your assignment for Tuesday is to read and annotate your assigned article plus one more from the Breaking the Silence Blog. You should print your articles and come prepared to discuss and share them tomorrow. As you read you should be sure to click on at least some of the hyperlinks embedded within your article.

1. Notre Dame, Manti Te'o and Institutional Rape Tolerance
2. 5 Ways Sexual Assault is Really About Entitlement
3. Why Naked Pictures Aren't Harmless
4. 25 Everyday Examples of Rape Culture
5. Rethinking Gender and Sexual Assault
6. a) Affirmative Consent:Are Students Really Asking?

       6. b)Adults Hate Yes Means Yes Laws. The College Students I Meet Love Them

Browse the Breaking the Silence Blog and find one article that interests you to discuss.
Breaking the Silence

Sexual Harassment Contd.

We started class by going back to the scenarios that we started to look at in class yesterday. After a discussion about the most difficult of those scenarios we watched the videos below and considered some of the questions that they raised.
For homework, students are to read and annotate the articles linked here:
Steubenville Case Articles

Sexual Harassment Scenarios

Now that you've got a sense of what sexual harassment might entail, your next task is to see if you can recognize it if you see it.
With your partners:

• Read this definition of sexual harassment and this list of actions that may possibly constitute sexual harassment.
• Then, using those definitions as well as what you know from your reading last night, go through these scenarios and fill out the chart as you go. The most efficient way to do this is to have two chromebooks open; one with the scenarios and one with the chart. Share the chart with all members of your group and me.

Sexual Harassment in Schools

Today in class, after discussions about the death of Justice Antonin Scalia as well as concluding thoughts about Haze the Movie we began to consider the topic of sexual harassment. We'll start by focusing on sexual harassment in schools and then shift our focus to the workplace as the week goes on.
Your tasks are to read the articles and graphs in this packet: Sexual Harassment in Schools
then to answer the questions listed here: Harassment Article Questions
You'll submit your responses as part of your portfolio for this unit.

Haze the Movie

As we continue to explore the consequences of hazing on college campuses, over your last two class periods of the week, we'll look at a movie called Haze which explores the link between hazing and binge drinking by telling the story of Gordie Bailey, a college student from the University of Colorado who died as a result of alcohol and a hazing incident.  For your next portfolio entry please respond to the following (make sure that you use SPECIFICS and DETAILS from the film to support your responses):

1. What did you think of the film overall? 
2. What was the most surprising, interesting or provocative piece of information?  Why do you describe it as such.
3. What was the film asserting about hazing? How do you respond to that assertion?  
4. What other assertions was the film making? What did you agree with? What did you disagree with? 
5.  Did you feel that anything in the film was inappropriate or gratuitous or glorifying the drinking culture? Why or why not?
6. Choose one of the following assertions to finish. Then, in a paragraph, using the film AND the sources below (at least one additional source), support your assertions.

1. The minimum drinking age should/should not be changed because_______________
2. Medical amnesty laws should/should not be passed because___________________.
3. The most effective way to control binge drinking is______________because____________.

• Main web page for "Gordies Call"-organization started after Gordie Bailey's Death
• Alcohol Education Resources
• College Drinking-Changing the Culture
• Safe Spring Break
• Alcohol Poisoning Info from the Mayo Clinic
• Blood Alcohol Content Calculator
• Less Than You Think campaign
• Aware Awake Alive
• Harvard School of Public Health Studies on College Alcohol Us
• Medical Amnesty Initiative
• Amethyst Initiative (Drinking Age)
• In defense of 21

Hazing Contd.

• To follow up on our discussion about the Rolling Stone "Hazing" article, please read at least THREE additional articles on the topic.  You may use any of the links below.  Please browse through them before selecting the articles that you will include in your post.  Take notes of important facts, detail or ideas as you read. This should take you about a half hour. When finished, do a blog post about what you learned and what you're thinking about this topic. You should reference specifics from each of your articles in your post. Then, look at your group's posts (see below) and comment on their work. Return to the comments to yours and respond. (NOTE, this does NOT count as your weekly post although feel free to continue your commentary for your topic this week)
• For homework (by your next class period), add an entry to your portfolio that responds to the following question: What (if anything) should be done to reduce or eliminate hazing at universities? Make sure that you use specifics from your articles and discussions in your response. 
• Print out this part of your portfolio and any of the articles that you may want to use for our continued discussion in class.

Links

• The Huffington Post's section on Fraternity and Sorority Hazing
• NY Times Topics on Hazing
• If you want something closer to home, here is an article about Northwestern or this one about Northern Illinois
• The leading organization that has a lot of resources and current news about hazing is Stophazing.org
• If you want to read about sorority hazing specifically check out this article (the hyperlinks within the article are also helpful).
• If you are interested, here is a link to an essay in defense of hazing.  Scroll down to the undergraduate's essay after the introduction by Scott Mietchen.

Blog Discussion Groups

Per. 1: 

A.J., Will, Annie

Sara, Ashley, Rebecca

Becca, Rachel, Ben

Noah, Bijan, Nick

Morgan, Billy, Kyle

Josh, Brittany, Jamie

Jake, David, Hillary

Dillon, Dylan, Emily, Evan

Per. 6

Alex, Will, Caroline

David, Lizzie ,George, Sophia
Ryan, Isaac, Rosie
Isabel, Riley, Jared
Jovan, Noah, Justin
Nick, Lexi, Nathan
Lindsey, Michael, Lucy
Max, Marnie, MacKenzie, Tommy

Presidential Politics #1

Today in class, we're going to take a break from our discussion of bullying and harassment to check in with the current presidential campaigns.
To do so, complete the following tasks:

• Look at a current news source and find an article on the current state of the campaigns. Read the article and open up a new blog post. Summarize and comment on your article in your post. Consider-have you been paying attention to the campaigns at all? What is this article telling you about the state of the race? 
• Next, use these two sites to explore and compare the candidates' views: 
• Politiplatform and 
• Insidegov
• Choose at least 4 candidates to compare and then return to your blog post. In the next section analyze the candidates. How would you categorize each? What seems to be important to them? Can you make generalizations and conclusions about their policies?
• Finally, use these sites to see which candidate most closely aligns with your views and beliefs. 
• Votechooser
• Select Smart
• You should try both and see if the result matches up. Then, return to your blogpost for a final time and make some conclusions about your results.  You don't necessarily have to state what your results were-unless you choose to-instead consider if anything was surprising. Did both sites select the same candidate for you? If not, why do you think there was a discrepancy? Do your results match up with what you expected? Do these sites influence how you may look at the candidates and the upcoming races and primaries? 
• When finished, publish your post. This is required but does NOT count as a weekly blog post.

Your homework for the weekend is to read and annotate the following article. Confessions of an Ivy League Frat Boy. Then you should do a formal response to it and add it to your portfolio.  The response should include what you knew and thought about hazing prior to reading the article followed by your reaction to the article. What, if anything surprised you? Why? What do you think of Andrew Lohse? What could he have done? What responsibility does the university have? Other commentary?

The Extreme Consequences of Bullying

For your assigned articles, either read them online and take notes OR print them out so that you can read and annotate them.  When finished with both articles, write a formal response to them and attach it to your bullying portfolio. After writing your initial response, do some quick research to see if you can find any updates to the stories from the articles, Add any additional thoughts to your response when finished. Print out the response for your next class period.
Per. 1
Articles 1 and 3:Hillary, Josh, Nick, Ben, Rachel, Morgan, David
Articles 2 and 4:Evan, Jake, Becca Hyland, Sara, Dylan, Jamie,Ashley
Articles 1 and 4:Noah, Becca Horwitz, AJ, Kyle, Annie, Dillon
Articles 2 and 3:Brittany, Bijan, Will, Billy, Emily, Dylan

Per. 6
Articles 1 and 3: Lindsey, Nathan, Rosie, Tommy, Lexi, Max, Marnie
Articles 2 and 4:Lucy, George, Riley, Noah, David, MacKenzie, Sophia
Articles 1 and 4:Jovan, Jared, Justin, Kyle, Ryan, Isaac, Isabel
Articles 2 and 3:Nick, Michael, Caroline, Will, Alex, Lizzie

1. Phoebe Prince
2. Rebecca Ann Sedwick
3. Sexting, Shame and Suicide-Audrie Pott 
4. One Town's War on Gay Teens 

Please come prepared to discuss your these articles during your next class period.
Note-these articles contain difficult material and at times are quite graphic.  However, they're quite important and should lead to some thought provoking discussion. Please engage with them carefully and thoughtfully.

Bullying Portfolio

Greetings Issues Scholars,
In order to facilitate a continued discussion of the film Bully, please complete the following:

1. Create a Google Doc titled Bullying Portfolio.
2. All of your responses for the next several assignments should then be part of that document.  Please be thorough and clear in your writing. It will be submitted for a grade to turnitin.com upon completion.
3. Read What is Bullying. 
4. Respond to connections 1-3.
5. Skim through the Story Synopses to remind yourself of the different areas of focus in the film. Choose two stories and then respond to the corresponding guiding questions.
6. Find your name below, read your article and then choose three of the connections questions to answer. Each person listed should answer three questions individually. This is not group work. Please finish for your next class period.

Per. 1: Evan, Ashley, Brittany, Per. 6: Lindsey, Jovan, Nathan, Jared	The “In” Group Read the article and then summarize the main ideas and key points of the article. Read all of the “Connections” questions and then choose three to respond to.
Per. 1: Becca Horwitz, Nick, Will Per. 6: Rosie, Justin, Tommy, Kyle C.	Experiencing Bullying Read the article and then summarize the main ideas and key points of the article. Read all of the “Connections” questions and then choose three to respond to.
Per. 1: Sara, Billy, Rachel, Annie Per. 6: Lexie, Ryan, Max, Marnie	Nurturing School Culture Read the article and then summarize the main ideas and key points of the article. Read all of the “Connections” questions and then choose three to respond to.
Per. 1: Emily, Morgan, Dillon, David Per. 6: Sophia, Isabel, Lizzie, MacKenzie	The Power of Friendship Read the article and then summarize the main ideas and key points of the article. Read all of the “Connections” questions and then choose three to respond to.
Per. 1: Jamie, Dylan, Kyle, Ben Per. 6: Alex, David, Will, Noah S.	Adult Intervention Read the article and then summarize the main ideas and key points of the article. Read all of the “Connections” questions and then choose three to respond to.
Per. 1: A.J., Bijan, Jake, Noah Per. 6: Caroline, Riley, Michael, George	Upstanders and Bystanders Read the article and then summarize the main ideas and key points of the article. Read all of the “Connections” questions and then choose three to respond to.
Per. 1: Hillary, Josh, Becca Hyland Per. 6: Nick, Britney, Lucy	Telling the Stories Read the article and then summarize the main ideas and key points of the article. Read all of the “Connections” questions and then choose three to respond to.