Current Issues

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. In this lesson, students explore the interplay of this legislation with the Civil Rights Movement, and consider what role everyday people play in making change.

This lesson consists of two student readings followed by discussion questions. The first reading reviews the history of the Freedom Summer project, which took place 50 years ago. The second reading discusses some of the challenges to voting rights that we face today. 

Scientists are getting more specific about the pace of climate change, warning that we have very little time left to stop it. Activists are pursuing divestment movements and boycotts. In this activity, students read about these efforts and plan their own climate-saving action.

In two readings and discussion, students explore the benefits of eating in season and supporting local farmers and consider some of the criticisms of local food arguments, including the concept of "food miles."

For the 100 days following April 7, people around the globe will be marking the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, which killed as many as one million people. Through a project called Kwibuka20 (Remember20), Rwandans have asked "the world to come together to support the survivors of the...

Should any one company be able to control the internet? Should all websites be treated equally, or should companies be able to pay to have their sites load faster?  Two student readings and discussion questions explore the debates over net neutrality and the Comcast-Time Warner merger. 

Eleanor Bader shares a lesson that helped her students connect immigrant history to today's activism.  

Students explore the goals of the growing Free Trade movement and consider some criticisms of it.  

Students learn about Women's History Month and International Women's Day, consider people who have had an impact on them and what makes a leader, and learn about some women who have made a difference in the world.

In small and large group discussion, students explore recent developments in Ukraine and the people power movement EuroMaidan as well as other people power movements.