Youth interest in politics, government, and current issues is at an all time high nationwide. However, civic education is minimized in curricula across the country and as a result students have few opportunities to engage with the controversial issues which inform their world and are most relevant to them. 

This session will introduce a variety of techniques and activities for immediate use in the classroom. We will explore approaches to contemporary controversies incorporating multiple viewpoints that shift the focus of classroom discussions away from personal politics and emphasize policy, values, and debate.

Participants will leave equipped with practical tools for teaching contemporary issues—including debate and deliberation structures, an understanding of democratic values that support reasoned discourse, and methods for fostering a climate of thoughtful engagement between students.

Fee: $25 members/$50 non-members

Presenters

Sante Mastriana
Close Up Foundation
Washington, DC

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