GEP - Current Events Email - May 01, 2008
Dear Teacher:
Each month World Savvy will post current events resources for one topic, with links for articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and discussion questions and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. For more in-depth current events resources, please preview and subscribe to our Global Affairs Monitor, www.worldsavvy.org/GAM/.
Protests over Beijing Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics will be in Beijing, China, and are drawing significant controversy relating to China’s human rights record and government positions. On April 9, 2008, the Olympic Torch Relay made its only stop in the United States in San Francisco, and drew numerous protests, as have the torch relay stops in other cities around the world. As a follow-up to events in San Francisco and unfolding events leading up to the Olympics, please refer to the teaching resources below that reveal more about the background of why people are protesting.
Advanced Article: www.economist.com
Intermediate Article: www.nytimes.com
Beginning Article: news.bbc.co.uk
Articles about the torch relay in San Francisco:
www.usatoday.com
www.sfgate.com
Discussion Questions:
- What are some of the reasons that people are protesting the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
- What arguments have Chinese officials used to counter these protests?
- In your opinion, have protests against the Olympics been successful? Why or why not? What factors should be used to determine whether a protest movement has been successful?
- Should the Olympics be viewed separately from politics? Why or why not?
- How might economics and trading relationship affect nations’ stances on China’s human rights abuses?
Curriculum:
- PBS Newshour: Discussion and Essay Questions on Olympics in China: Read it now >>
- Examining Points of View in the Debate over Tibetan Independence: Read it now >>
- Competing National Stories in Tibet: Read it now >>
California Standards:
World History: 10.10 - Contemporary Nation Building, 10.11 - Modern World Economy
U.S. History: 11.9 - Foreign Policy Post WWII
Government: 12.2 - Citizenship and Rights, 12.9 - Comparing Political Systems
History and Language Arts Skills: Point of View and Historical Investigation, Persuasive Writing, Analyzing the Media
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