10/01/2001
Discussion Framework and Study Circles Guide Focus on- Facing the Future: How Can We Respond to the Attack on Our Nation?
Susan Grascek, Director of the Choices for the 21st Century Education Project (http://www.choices.edu/index.html) has provided information about two resources that may be helpful to people leading discussions about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
1. Choices for the 21st Century Education Project
The Choices for the 21st Century Education Project at Brown University’s (http://www.brown.edu) Watson Institute for International Studies (http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Watson_Institute) has posted a discussion framework and related resources to promote dialogue about the terrorist attacks and future policy direction.
The four Policy Options and arguments against each option can be found at http://www.choices.edu/Sept11/PolicyAlt.html .
The materials were created to help high school and college teachers but could be useful to anyone seeking to hold group dialogues about this issue. The purpose of the "Policy Options", or framework for discussion, and an explanation of the purpose behind the Choices program can be found at: http://www.choices.edu/Sept11/top.html . Additionally the site makes available the texts of interviews with eight scholars who were each asked seven questions related to the issue. The links to the eight interviews can be found at http://www.choices.edu/Sept11/Scholarints.html .
Teachers may find links provided on the Watson Institute’s website especially helpful for providing background information. These include: links to U.S. Government sites, domestic and international media sites and a wonderful source of many kinds of maps. The links can be found at http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Watson_Institute/news/specialalert09_01.html .
2. Study Circles Resource Center Discussion Guide
The Study Circles Resource Center (www.studycircles.org ) in Pomfret, Connecticut, has produced a community discussion guide titled: Facing the Future: How Should We Respond to the Attack on Our Nation? (http://www.studycircle.org/pages/americaresponds.html). The discussion guide includes five sessions, one of which incorporates the policy options that were developed by the Choices for the 21st Century Education Project at the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University.
