Addressing Threats to Democracy
This collection helps secondary level educators guide students through some of the most pressing challenges facing democracy today. While democracy relies on core principles like freedom, equality, and participation, recent events have shown how fragile these values can be. With topics like democratic erosion, civil discourse, and media literacy, these resources give students the tools to understand both the strengths and vulnerabilities of democratic systems. Through thoughtful discussion and critical analysis, students can understand what it takes to sustain a democracy and their role in it.
Teaching Resource Highlights:
- Events of January 6: Examine the impact on democratic institutions, law, and order.
- Democratic Erosion: Define and discuss erosion, explore historical and global examples, and consider ways to protect democracy.
- Media Literacy: Build skills to analyze media, recognize misinformation, and think critically about media content.
- Book Banning and Censorship: Reflect on freedom of expression and engage in debates around censorship and ethics.
- Civil Discourse: Explore the role of respectful dialogue in democracy and strategies to encourage it.
- Voter Suppression: Identify suppression tactics and discuss why inclusive participation is essential.
Each section includes flexible lesson plans, activities, and multimedia resources to inspire classroom conversations and help students think deeply about democracy’s values and the challenges it faces.
