Hot Topics for Cool Heads

Each week this discussion class will address a different issue of general societal or political relevance. At the end of each class, the following week’s topic will be introduced. Students will do research related to the issue to define/refine their thinking such that they can present their thoughts with clarity and support. The topics will be complex to avoid black and white solutions or simple answers.

Topics will be questions such as:

- Is climate change anthropogenic? If it is, what, if anything, should be done about it?

- Given the state of education in this country and the fragmentation and decline of political media, can we continue to be a popular democracy? (That is, can we really have the necessary informed electorate under these circumstances?) If not, what could be the alternative form of government for us?

It is hoped and expected that there will be a wide variety of views on each issue - this is why these are ‘Hot Topics’. Different views are welcomed and discussion will be facilitated such that all views will be respectfully heard. Hence, ‘Cool Heads’.

----------

Instructor: Trudy Miller

This class is a follow-on to the Political Media class Trudy taught in the Spring. It is not a direct sequel but the form and concepts have been based to some extent on feedback from students in that class. It is hoped it will build on the strengths of the previous exercise to animate another engaged audience who will learn a lot from each other and from the material presented.