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Iraqi conflict has been focus of Farmington current events classPosted: 4/11/03 by Aaron Tinklenberg Is the Iraqi war justified or should diplomatic efforts and weapons inspections have continued? Farmington High School teacher Laura Huls knows itís not her place to answer that for her students. But as a current events instructor, it is her job to help students find information so they can make their own decisions. ìItís my job to present all sides for the students to make their own choices,î she says, noting that her students generally see clips from Fox News and CNN, but also hear about what has aired on Arab news stations such as al-Jazeera. In a class called current events, itís not surprising that students this semester have spent almost all of their time discussing Iraq. According to Huls, they have explored the history of American dealings with Iraq, the religious and political situation in the Middle East, tactical questions of war, world diplomatic relations, economic impacts and just about everything else associated with the conflict. What may be surprising, though, is the level at which students show interest and comprehend the situation. Huls ended the unit on Iraq just before the war broke, and asked her students to write an essay explaining how they felt the U.S. government should act. Some of them, she said, taught her a thing or two. ìI thought it might be painful [to do blue-book essays], but it was just the opposite,î Huls said. ìThe kids were organizing their thoughts well and bringing up things that I hadnít thought about.î More than passing interest The class is just in its first year, but so many students registered, the school had to offer four sections. Though many students admit they took the class because they thought it would be easier than traditional history, itís proven to be more than just an hour of TV and newspapers each day. ìBecause it was supposed to be easy,î senior Marny Rappe said of her decision to register. ìBut I donít have time to watch the news on my own, and now I feel like I know so much more.î Spending so much time watching a variety of media outlets, the students have learned how to learn about the conflict. Itís important, many say, to realize who is giving you information and how they are giving it to you. ìI think sometimes itís tough to have an opinion because itís based on news and TV,î senior Neil Olstad said, taking time compliment Huls on her ability to stay unbiased. ìSome of those aspects that they report might not be true. Maybe we wonít know the truth until itís over.î For some, learning more about Iraq has confirmed their opinions. For others, the opposite is true. Senior Kevin Grove said the more he learns, the more he feels that time would make it more difficult to remove the regime. ìAfter I spent some time thinking about it, now Iím against it,î he said. ìI didnít think about the civilian risks. I donít think itís very compassionate when youíre killing innocent people.î McAdamís comment immediately brought a civil but emphatic response from Rappe. ìIt is compassionate for us to go to war,î she explained. ìThis man is psycho. More people are going to die if we leave him.î Other students joined the impromptu debate, pointing out facts supporting one side or the other. According to Huls, thatís exactly what she had hoped the class would promote. Students have found that learning more about current events, particularly Iraq, can be a blessing or a curse. On one hand, says junior Ryan Bernhagen, knowledge allows you to have more intelligent conversations with other people and even win some debates. He found that ability particularly useful on a recent class trip to Germany. ìI had a lot of discussions with my German host family,î he said, ìand we had to talk in front of an English class while we were there. They wanted to hear what we thought [about the war] and it was nice to know what was going on.î On the other hand, McAdam said, it can be frustrating to talk with someone who isnít as well informed ó something that even happens with adults. ìYou get adults that are so closed-minded, that wonít listen to you, I tend just not to argue,î he said. McAdam added that he and Bernhagen remain friends despite their differing views. Lasting results According to Huls, understanding current events is only part of the point of her class. Students also have the opportunity to form their own opinions, learn about other perspectives and make informed arguments. Now that the class has moved on to research other subjects, Huls hopes theyíll take those skills with them, as well as a desire to understand their world. From the sounds of things, itís unlikely sheíll be disappointed. ìEven if I donít pick up a newspaper for a week, Iíve got this base and at least I know about whatís going on,î Olstad said. ìI thought this stuff was boring because I didnít know what was going on, but now I do.î Aaron Tinklenberg is at farmington.thisweek@ecm-inc.com. -- Check out this week's newspaper for more details. © Thisweek Newspapers |
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