POLITICS Last week brought two passionate and dramatic popular votes for independence, in Iraqi Kurdistan and in Catalonia, Spain. Everyone, even those who dismissed both votes as illegal and meaningless, called them national “referendums.” (New York Review of Books) What is a nation? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Text Set. Discussion Ideas The author of the great … Continue reading What Is a Referendum? Who Decides?
WORLD Mexico is launching a big experiment in democracy that promises to turn people’s ideas into the new law of the land. (Fusion) How have everyday people contributed to democratic ideas in the United States? Use our resources to find out. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas In a bold move intended to involve more … Continue reading Mexico City is Crowdsourcing its Constitution
WORLD Yes, they had to yank eyeballs from sockets and beating hearts from chests, but pirates had voting rights and were compensated for injury. (Nat Geo News) Check out our collection on historic and contemporary pirates and piracy. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, and a round-up of other interesting reads this week—from the Tour de France … Continue reading Democratic Duels?
WORLD The document that laid the foundation for democracy was sanctioned by Britain’s worst monarch, “Bad King John.” (Nat Geo News) Learn more about Magna Carta with our brand-new, short-and-sweet article! Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, and don’t forget to quiz yourself and your students on the “week that was” in our latest Quiz Connection. Note: … Continue reading 10 Surprises about Magna Carta on its 800th Birthday
WORLD What began as a student sit-in in Hong Kong has snowballed into an enormous protest as as police responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets. Here’s what you need to know so far. (New York Magazine) Use our resources to learn more about the Occupy movement and one of China’s “Special administrative regions,” Hong Kong. Discussion Ideas What is “Occupy Central” and why … Continue reading What’s Going On in Hong Kong?
