"Boston Public" and the Power of the "N" Word and so much more!

This episode deals with a number of controversial issues related to legal and moral dilemmas.

If you were absent Friday - please watch the video and connect with someone in class or through the class blog/group blogs to get a better idea.  

• Racial tension and use / misuse of the "N" word, language in general.
• Ethical questions surrounding topics teachers discuss, teach or assign as school projects 
• Ethical questions surrounding the issue of does it matter who says/teaches a topic? 
• Conflicts between the responsibilities/duties and role of our public school system (including teachers, administrators and school boards) in addressing local, global or historically sensitive events and topics.
• Issue of reference letters and recommendations teachers, administrators, schools provide when asked by a student or even if not solicited by the student, but instead by the institution. Does the referee have a responsibility to be honest and candid in the reference?
• Ageism / "mental welfare" 
• Freedom of Expression - media included. 
• The responsibility of teachers/schools to address events or sensitive issues as they arise - in a timely fashion.
• How does our society support its mentally ill? homeless? Does society owe a responsibility to care for those who need support to survive or thrive?
• Do employees have a responsibility to obey employer directives? Are there instances where directives can be ignored without consequence? or does the act of ignoring by definition outweigh the "intent" ?  This is a controversy of context and thoughts vs actions.  Where do laws and enforcement fit (whether in the small scale school system or in the legal system)?
• This might be considered a conflict that judges often have to sort through - the "letter of the law" (actual wording) vs the "spirit of the law" (intention behind the law; e.g. what social ills are trying to be addressed? who's interest is being protected and why?)

Please add to the list as a post on the class blog or as a comment.

Here is the video (I hope) to refresh your memory:

Boston Public

So for next week:  Monday - we will have some group discussions to followup on Boston Public and maybe the Law and Order Pro Se episode as well. (You can watch it again - see earlier post)

Your Boston Public follow-up assignment will be due next Friday and you may have the option of working in pairs or small groups.  As discussed in class, this will be dependent upon everyone in the class coming prepared Monday with notes, thoughts, questions,… surrounding what and how you would like to respond to the episode.  It can be a multi-paragraph post or you can be more creative with form (collages, visuals, videos,… I will share some ideas with you next week).

You will still be assessed on how you address multiple perspectives and / or the question you choose.

Enjoy your long weekend!  

I will be busy and not as available this weekend as I am attending the DisruptEd 2014 Conference for Pro D this weekend.