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Civil Rights (Little Rock): Disciplined Discussion

Persistent Issue:
What should society do to promote fairness and justice for people who live within its jurisdiction?
Central Question:
Were the federal actions of the 1950s and 60s adequate and appropriate for ensuring equality among U.S. citizens?
Topic:
Civil Rights
Course:
U.S. History
Strategy:
Disciplined Discussion
Grade Level:
11
Lessons in this unit:
  1. Civil Rights (Little Rock): Disciplined Discussion

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Lesson Video

1.
Clip 1: Introduction to the Discussion

Dr. Saye introduces the central question and the agenda fgor the discussion. Participants then begin by discussing whether equla opportunities can be provided in segregated and integrated schools.
Lesson Video

2.
Clip 2: Debating School Integration

The group debates the pros and cons of school integration at Little Rock High School in 1957.
Lesson Video

3.
Clip 3: Reasons for Opposing School Integration

Dr. Saye leads the group in a discussion of the legitimacy of reasons behind opposition to school integration in 1957.
Lesson Video

4.
Clip 4: State Versus Federal Control of Schools

The group debates whether control of schools should be a state or federal issue. They discuss the Governor of Arkansas' dilemma between listening to the people of his state and upholding federal law with reagard to school integration.
Lesson Video

5.
Clip 5: Discriminating Against Groups

Dr. Saye asks the group to expand their discussion to address whether there is ever justification for discriminating against specific groups.
Lesson Video

6.
Clip 6: Expanding Discrimination Discussion

Dr. Saye asks group to consider when discrimination is justified. He uses the analogy of selecting individuals for medical school and asks if there should be discimination in the selection process for these individuals.
Lesson Video

7.
Clip 7: Concluding Discussion

The group concludes the discussion by revisiting the central question: Was it in the public interest in 1957 to compel integration in the schools?

Dr. John Saye

Dr. John Saye currently serves as program director for Secondary Social Science Education at Auburn University in Auburn, AL, and teaches undergraduate and graduate social science education courses.

John has taught at Auburn University since 1994. Prior to that time, he taught high school history and social studies for 12 years in Georgia. He received his Ed.D. in social science education from the University of Georgia in 1994.