Students learn to understand and analyze important and current events, as well as social, cultural and political issues. Due to the rapid rate of change in our society, specific issues vary depending on what is currently “newsworthy.” General topics, however, include foreign affairs and policy, civil rights and liberties, crime and punishment, economic and welfare issues, political and social reform, gender issues, racial and ethnic disharmony, and other current “hot” issues in American life. Class members not only learn how to understand “both sides of an issue” they also learn how to better articulate their own positions.