I do not mean to generalize. I really don’t. Honestly though there is a lack of attention paid to world, and even national, events. Especially in high schools. If my school is fair representation of a high school anywhere (and it might not be as the student body is supposedly extremely liberal), there is a huge gap between 18th century America history and the current goings-on in the 21st century world.
I’ve encountered this in some of my classes throughout my high school career. During sophomore year I took AP U.S. History. We never even got to the 70’s (which isn’t even considered current). Instead we spent the last three weeks before the exam cramming WWII information into our already filled brains. This is to say that our teacher was a WWII fanatic. He found a way to bring a discussion about Thomas Jefferson around to WWII. I was not pleased that there was not a single question about WWII machine guns but a free response question on the politics of the 80’s.
In my economics class this last semester we only had a set curriculum for four days a week. We spent other day as a study hall. Someone mentioned we talk about the upcoming election on our study day. The teacher simply said, “Why waste your study time on that. This is economics. We won’t talk about that this semester.” (To explain, it is a year long class with three different subjects meshed into the curriculum). Was it so wrong for us to be eager to discuss it?
My high school is liberal. I know students who are actively against the war and are deeply immersed in the 2008 election campaigning. Still, I feel like we know close to nothing about the world.
I know I was that way last year. You could ask me anything about the constitution and I’d be able to answer you. Ask me about the current political system in India or even France and I’d draw a complete blank.
I’ve tried to keep my mind open to global news, but it’s not always possible. With all the studying I do, not to mention the writing, acting, and babysitting, I sometimes have trouble keeping up with local news.
This has led me to wonder if there is no place for current events in the lives of high school students. I think it would be fantastic if a course was offered in the way of what is currently affecting the world and the U.S. I don’t know if teens would be able to keep up even if we all were motivated. With all of the homework, extra-curriculars, and jobs, is it probable that the young adults in this country can achieve awareness of what’s current on our own?
I agree that many students today do not realize the importance of world and global events and how it impacts their lives. In my classes, (all of them...) I ask the student to tell the class some news that they heard/seen and witnessed since their last class with me. It is a wonderful feeling to actually see the students begin to see the relevence of news, especially since most, if not all, can be applied to something within their daily lives
Shame on that Economics teachers... world news, including politics has a tremendous bearing on that subject... liberal or not, that is an injustice to the students, the school, and our economy itself.
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http://progressiveu.org/user/profstevevo
"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” (Sun Tzu)
I do believe there should be an emphasis on current national and global events. In some History classes in my high school we could bring in articles about current events for extra credit and we would often begin the class with some current events.
I had a similar meshed-econmics class, though in my school it's half a year of government, half of economis.
In economics we were supposed to do a current event thing every once in a while. We did it once. And it was more of a do it and you get credit thing. We didn't even talk about the articles we found.
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'But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked. 'Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: 'We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland