Dates: September 24 – December 10, dates vary
Times: See time slots for videoconferences belowGrades: 7-8, 9-12
Theme: Global Geopolitics
As America votes for a new president in this November’s monumental election, other democracies worldwide are undergoing competitive electoral races of their own.
In this special extended PULSE series, students will examine the meaning of democracy through the lens of campaigns both at home and abroad. Students will have the opportunity to discuss and debate aspects of American democracy, all while putting the U.S. presidential race in the context of the international community. After the U.S. elections, students will have the unique opportunity meet their peers in Ghana, which is in the midst of presidential campaigning as well in preparation for its December election. Over a period of three conferences, students will get to know one another and discuss the similarities and differences between American and Ghanaian democracy.By connecting face-to-face with their peers around the country and around the world and a host of experts on political participation, election observing and more, students will assume a unique role in this year�s elections as local citizens with a distinctly global perspective.
Dates, Topics, and Sessions:
Wednesday September 24: Election Watch Part 1 – Only in America: Examining Democracy in the U.S. Students will compare democracy in the U.S. to democracy in other parts of the world, specifically the UK, Kenya, and Egypt. In a lively exchange, students will discuss their “ideal” democracy.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday September 24: Election Watch Part 1 – Only in America: Examining Democracy in the U.S. Students will compare democracy in the U.S. to democracy in other parts of the world, specifically the UK, Kenya, and Egypt. In a lively exchange, students will discuss their “ideal” democracy.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, October 1Election Watch Part 2 – What Happened in Zimbabwe?Students will discuss the events surrounding this summer’s election and related violence with a special guest speaker from the UN and possibly former candidate Morgan Tsvangirai. Students will discuss whether a similar conflict could ever occur in the U.S.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, October 8Election Watch Part 3 – Barack Obama vs. John McCainStudents will engage with the candidates themselves or representatives from their campaigns on the battle for presidency.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, October 15Election Watch Part 4 – Inside Election ObservationStudents will speak with an election observer from the United Nations on what it’s like to monitor an election, particularly a recent one, whether Azerbaijan, East Timor, Kenya, or another.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, October 22Election Watch Part 5 – Political Participation and YOUStudents will discuss the ways they’ve gotten involved in this year’s elections and what the best way is to get your voice heard and effect political change.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, October 29Election Watch Part 6 – Republicans and Democrats (and the Rest of the World) Students discuss the unique bi-party system of the U.S. and particularly examine the two parties’ positions on foreign policy and perceptions in the world.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Tuesday, November 4Election Watch Part 7 – This Is It: Election Day 2008Around the country, students gather to talk about polling in their hometowns and the big day with special political correspondent.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, November 12Election Watch Part 8 – Now What? In the aftermath of the historic election, students debrief and discuss the big election and its (yet unknown) results.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, December 3Election Watch Part 9 – Welcome to GhanaWith Ghana’s election approaching, students in the U.S. connect directly to their counterparts in Ghana to discuss meet one another face-to-face and discuss democracy and their respective elections.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Wednesday, December 10Election Watch Part 10 – Election Day in GhanaStudents delve into the Ghanaian election by hearing firsthand accounts of the progress on their ground from their peers and new friends.
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
Available Times: 11:00 – 12:00 pm 12:30 – 1:30 pm EDT
The Election Watch program is aligned with these national standards:
Civics and Government Standards
Topic II: What are the foundations of the American political system?
Topic IV: What is the relationship of the United States to other nations and to world affairs?
Topic V: What are the roles of the citizen in American democracy?
Social Studies Standards
Strand III: People, Places, and Environments
Strand IV: Individual Development and Identity
Strand V: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
Strand VI: Power, Authority, and Governance
Strand IX: Global Connections
Strand X: Civic Ideals and Practices
World History Standards
Era 8: A Half-Century of Crisis and Achievement, 1900-1945
Era 9: The 20th Century Since 1945: Promises & Paradoxes
What to expect from The PULSE Back to List of Fall 2008 Programs
Civics and Government Standards
Topic II: What are the foundations of the American political system?
Topic IV: What is the relationship of the United States to other nations and to world affairs?
Topic V: What are the roles of the citizen in American democracy?
Social Studies Standards
Strand III: People, Places, and Environments
Strand IV: Individual Development and Identity
Strand V: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
Strand VI: Power, Authority, and Governance
Strand IX: Global Connections
Strand X: Civic Ideals and Practices
World History Standards
Era 8: A Half-Century of Crisis and Achievement, 1900-1945
Era 9: The 20th Century Since 1945: Promises & Paradoxes
What to expect from The PULSE Back to List of Fall 2008 Programs