CURRENT ISSUES SYLLABUS

“Current Issues” is more than current events. “Current Issues” are those underlying forces which propel current events. It is not the riot; it is the cultural dynamic which causes people to engage in those riots. It is not the war; it is the set of unique cultural interactions which cause people to desire war.  Therefore, the essential questions are general and adaptive to a variety of Current Issues. Current Issues are truly the great example of the “Cone of Light.”

We will discuss the Current Issues the class wishes to discuss this semester.  There is a wide selection of topics and it is not necessary for everyone to study the same Current Issues.  This course should be relevant and meaningful for the students.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS include ,but are not limited to, the following:

Politics in the Middle East

The Economy (this is very open so we will need to narrow the scope)

Abortion

Same-sex marriage versus civil unions

The influence of the “religious right”

Red versus Blue states

Illegal Drugs

Global Warming

Civil Rights and the “War on Terrorism”

Homeland Security

After the class discussion we will arrive at the final list of topics.

For each Issue, we will consider the following:

1. The historical connection to the Current Issue
2. The cultural dynamics of the Current Issue
3. The Current Issue as a reflection of international cultural dynamics
4. The effects of the Current Issue on you
5. The future as it pertains to the Current Issue

CLASS STRUCTURE

The class will be structured as follows:

Research and reading

Discussion (Presentation)

Essay