SUMMARY
All this year, Judy Woodruff has been exploring the deep divisions we see playing out every day in the country. She’s distilled much of that reporting into a special airing Tuesday night on PBS. For that, she recently sat down with a panel to talk through their concerns heading into another contentious election year. It's for her series, America at a Crossroads.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM UP QUESTIONS:
- Who are the guests in this segment, and what are their backgrounds?
- Why did Judy Woodruff choose the location and guests chosen for this segment?
- What are some of the concerns expressed by the guests in this segment?
- How do some politicians and others use polarization as a "tool" according to Nicole Hemmer?
- Why might divisions have worsened in recent years according to these guests?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What issue do you think is most dividing the country? How do you think that divide could best be addressed?
Media literacy: Who else do you think might have been a good guest for this segment (whether a specific individual or someone representing a particular perspective)? Why do you think no young people were chosen?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
FOR MORE:
What students can do: In this segment, political historian Nicole Hemmer says that "polarization" (the increase in political divisions in the country) is not just a condition that can be observed, but a "tool" that some might consciously use for political advantage. As a class, discuss what you think Hemmer means when she says that polarization can be a tool. Some possible questions to discuss:
- What advantages does using polarization as a tool offer for some individuals like politicians?
- Why might polarization have increased in recent years?
- What do you think are some consequences of increased polarization?
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