私たちの周りの世界: ニュース、政治、歴史など

Are you passionate about politics, government, the news, and history? Are you looking for a fun and engaging space to discuss and debate? Then this class is for you!  

Each class we'll discuss, debate, and analyze a different news and/or historical subject (see the schedule at the bottom of this section). We'll cover each issue in as comprehensive a manner as possible, so that all political, social, and cultural perspectives are given equal consideration. We will strive to be unbiased (or to acknowledge our own biases), view issues through a nonpartisan lens, and to be respectful and considerate of one another's views. Perhaps most importantly of all, I will make sure every student gets the chance to voice their own (ideally, evidence-based) opinions. Each week students can always choose to decide their own level of involvement in the discussion (including just being an engaged listener), but my goal is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable to participate. In short, through the academic discourse we will engage in, we will strive to learn from one another.

This is a highly-interactive, discussion-based class that encourages student engagement and conversation. I will structure our discussion by going over the history and recent news surrounding the week's given topics, and also allow students the opportunity to bring their own discussion points and issues to the table as well. I will build our ongoing schedule of issues and topics for the course, taking into account input from the students in each section. 

Please Note: 
This is an ongoing class, which means students are not required to join each and every week, nor it is necessary to have attended in previous weeks.  In other words, each class session will have distinct current events and historical topics, exclusive to that week, that will guide our discussion. Every class stands alone, and therefore it is not necessary or required to attend for every session the course is offered.  In short, students can come and go as they please! If there are any questions about this, please don't hesitate to reach out.

*I will update regularly the issues and topics to be discussed for each week, and for each current section in the space below. Please refer here for the latest information on what will be covered in each class.  As always, if there are any questions please let me know.

ONGOING SCHEDULE: (generally we will meet every other week; will be updated regularly)

- Tuesday, May 6: Russia-Ukraine War: historical origins and recent news, theories of American foreign policy going back to the founding generation
- Wednesday, May 21: The Death Penalty: the arguments for and against
- Wednesday, June 4: TBD