How Did We Get Here? Exploring the History Behind the News

Learners will gain a deeper understanding of the complex current events of the week through discussion, teacher guidance and resources. Learners will evaluate news sources and discuss the accuracy and viewpoints of various media outlets. We will also explore connections to broader themes such as freedom vs. security, conflict vs. peace, etc. 

I have an undergraduate degree in History with minors in Political Science and Middle East Studies. I also hold a Master's of Secondary Social Studies Education. I have had extensive training in teaching difficult topics from organizations such as National Humanities Center and the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. A high level of care and consideration has been applied when selecting resources for the course that will help learners gain an understanding of the world while remaining age appropriate.

While there is no assigned homework, it is expected that learners will explore major news stories on their own prior to class each week. Learners can choose how to access the news (podcasts, audio, newspapers, news networks, etc.) and a discussion of sources will take place each week.

45 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 0 - 1 hours per week outside of class.

A high level of care and consideration has been applied when selecting resources for the course that will help learners gain an understanding of news stories while remaining age appropriate. These resources include, but are not limited to, materials from PBS Learning Media, the Smithsonian Institution, and Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping teachers and students stand up to racism through learning and exploring history. No graphic images or videos will be shown in the class. However, sensitive topics will be addressed in a honest and forthright manner. If you have any concerns about whether this is an appropriate course for your learner, please reach out to me.