Jim Leonard

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EAC 2000 Workshop

CURRICULUM IDEAS

In Social Sciences/Civics: 

• Show the film, "Twelve Angry Men," as a lesson in the mechanics/ethics of the jury system.   Discuss the responsibilities jury members have to the legal system, to the defendant, to each other, to truth.  Then, after discussion of the parallels between the relationships among jury members and the relationships among students, view the film a second time to examine our (your) responsibilities toward others.

• After reading "Why the Rich Are Getting Richer, and the Poor, Poorer" by Robert Reich, discuss attitudes we have toward different kinds of work and toward the people who do that kind of work.

In English 12 Honors:

• Read "The Death of Ivan Ilych" by Leo Tolstoy and examine how other characters want to withhold the knowledge of his real condition from him and even want him to participate in this deception.

In U.S. History:

• Survey students on ethics issues/concerns at the beginning of the year; then take those that are school related and seek to address them in class when and where appropriate

• Using "Profiles in Courage" by John F. Kennedy and the recent books about unsung heroes (get title and author), cull out figures whose actions/decisions/dilemmas have the best ethical issues for student discussion.