Great American Debates
Score Requirements: Humanities and Social Science
About the Course: Students in the course will investigate the key issues that have been the subject of debate throughout our nation's history, such as the definition of “Personhood” under the law, the role of faith in the public square, and the limits to individualism. We will attempt to gain an understanding of the complexity and an appreciation for the importance of the issues themselves while we consider and evaluate the value of our nation’s argumentative nature. In the process we hope to overcome any lingering cynicism or bitter partisan rancor that tends to permeate the extremes of either side of an argument, and to truly appreciate the valuable role we each have as participants in the citizenry of the most democratic nation on earth. Drawing contemporary connections with the issues through multimedia resources will complement the analysis of key primary sources in American history. As a result, students will develop and hone their critical-thinking skills in an effort to gain a greater appreciation of what it means to be an American in the 21 st century.
About the Instructor: David Norman holds undergraduate and M.A.T. degrees from Duke University. A long-time social studies teacher, David is an adjunct history professor with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in US History and he also teaches AP Psychology.
Instructor(s) subject to change.