Socratic+seminar+on+America+NOW

The first week of school, I gathered quotes, facts, graphs, political cartoons, sayings, and comparisons about present-day America into a packet for students to read. They read and took notes, then we gathered for a Socratic seminar on America as it is now. After the seminar, the students compiled two lists: questions they have now (that they hope American history answers for them this year) and topics they'd like to now more about. Here's the list:


 * Questions we have now:**

How did the U.S. become a place where most people have a fairly good life? Do most people in the U.S. have fairly good lives? Why do Americans take what they have – freedom, for example – for granted? Is so much freedom spoiling us? Is it making us unhappy? Are we selfish? Why did slavery happen in America? When did slavery stop? Why are Americans so greedy (greedy about money, greedy about food)? Why isn’t the U.S. spending more money on education? Why do so many Americans seem to be “stupid”? Why do we spend so much money on military? How did America become so diverse (espec. compared to other countries)? Why does America have a bad reputation? Did we used to have a good reputation? Is there more strife in America (between groups) than in other countries? Why do immigrants choose to come to America? Why do we sell other countries military supplies? Who do we sell to? What do we sell? Why do Americans have such unhealthy eating habits? Why are Americans so lazy? Have we always been? Why are Americans so violent? Are we more violent than people in other countries? Is America breaking down morally? Is this a precursor of a Rome-like fall from power? America went to the moon first – why aren’t we “first” anymore? Is capitalism a “good” system? What are other possibilities? Why do Americans only respect “winners”?


 * What we want to know more about:**

Slavery in the U.S. – why black Africans? Why did early America need slaves? The slave trade The evolution of weapons of mass destruction Religions in America What different perspectives have shaped America? The Cherokee and other strong Native American groups American innovation and invention The people who have made a positive difference in America Which people have been important to U.S. history? Which presidents, etc.? Current events – what’s going on in the world Why Americans care more for their junk than for their valuables The history of torture/crime in America The history of the military and war in America What shaped U.S. government into its present form Why McDonald’s defines our culture American pride – what are the GOOD things? What are reasons to be proud? The Great Depression – what was that? The history of drug abuse and alcohol abuse in America The U.S. political system and how it runs The Civil War, the American Revolution – other wars, other battles Famous American poets Who were the pilgrims, really?
 * Iraq, Afghanistan?
 * Obama’s health care proposals?
 * junk = fast food, iPods, what others have, TV, easy
 * valuables = education, health, children, environment