Thinking the Web
Unitarian Universalism and Controversial Moral Issues for High School

By Jeff Liebmann

Web site

www.pitt.edu/~jdl1/ uucurric.htm

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Theme and Description

This year-long curriculum for high-school youth investigates political, constitutional, and legal issues facing the United States. After instruction in the techniques of "systematic thinking dispositions," it moves on to discussions such as issues abortion, death with dignity, the legalization of drugs, censorship and pornography in the media, capital punishment, gun control, weapons of mass destruction, and peacemaking versus just war.

Goals for Participants

Develop systematic, critical, and creative thinking skills;
Become comfortable considering and discussing complex and challenging issues;
Become familiar with a variety of current political, legal, and constitutional issues;
Learn about the Unitarian Universalist Association's responses to these issues through vehicles such as General Assembly Resolutions.

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Age Range

High School

Size of Group

Discussion size

Space Requirements

Average classroom size

Number and Length of Sessions

25 sessions
Length: 60-75 minutes

Leader Training

No special training is required. This course may be taught by a team of leaders or by an individual. An interest in and familiarity with social/political issues may be a plus.

Leader Preparation

Substantial preparation may be required as leaders need to have a firm grasp of the facts, perspectives, and background issues related to the diverse topics. Although resources are suggested, it is also hinted that independent research is necessary. Leaders need to be facilitators and resource people, but should be careful not to impose their opinions.

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Strengths

Each issue is explicitly tied to Unitarian Universalism through a specific General Assembly Resolution;
Allows youth to think about important issues in a safe and encouraging environment;
Although the course is intellectual in nature, it requires little in the way of homework;
The sessions follow a consistent format;
Contains extensive information about each issue.

Limitations

A substantial amount of leader preparation is required;
Although there is a variety of activities, it is largely discussion-based with handouts that require reading. Some participants may not relate well to this verbal approach.

Adaptability

Sessions can be led or co-led by participants;
The sessions can stand alone and be used in a variety of ways in programming.

Unitarian Universalist Values

Thinking the Web was written with the goal of helping youth explore complicated political and social issues and discuss the positions our Association has take on these issues. Exploration of Unitarian Universalist values clearly permeates this curriculum.

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100