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Background and Context
The following resources and reading material will help students develop a thorough understanding of Civil Rights & Individual Liberties and make connections between historical events, current conversations, and current policy proposals surrounding the issue. This section includes all of the context and content previously included in Close Up’s public policy chapters.
Current Issue Debates
Current Issue Debates are framed by a central question and followed by historical context, an overview of both sides of the topic, and discussion questions to facilitate deliberation in the classroom.
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Available for Middle & High School
Videos from Policy Makers
Brought to you by ASP HOMEROOM, through a collaboration between Close Up Foundation and A Starting Point, these supplemental videos are an introduction to policy areas that provide an opportunity for students to hear different perspectives directly from lawmakers.
Congressmen David Cicilline (D-RI) & Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) July 14, 2021
Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) & Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) February 11, 2021
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) & Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) April 5, 2021
These ready-to-use lesson plans can be utilized in conjunction with any of our resources to enhance the quality of student discourse in the classroom. Our supplemental Civic Readiness Guide provides a recommended lesson plan sequence for using our Current Issues resources.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
The stock market crash of October 29, 1929, marked the beginning, though not the cause, of the Great Depression.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
Mired in the Great Depression of the 1930s, U.S. leaders were more concerned with issues at home than with those abroad.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
The 1950s were a time of prosperity and affluence unlike any ever seen in the United States.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
The years between 1950 and 1975 were tumultuous times for American society.
Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021
Since the late 1800s, France had controlled the area of Southeast Asia called Indochina—Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—and had profited from the region’s rice and rubber plantations.
Videos | June 18, 2021
During this Close Up Conversations webinar, Close Up’s, Joe Geraghty discusses ‘Juneteenth: Slavery at Mount Vernon’ with guest speakers Sadie Troy and Alissa Oginsky of George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Post | May 24, 2021
A ceasefire has brought an end to weeks of increasing violence between Israel and the Palestinian communities in the territory it controls, particularly the Palestinian Islamic-nationalist group Hamas. This latest outbreak of conflict ended a period of relative calm that had persisted for the better part of a decade. Adding to the complexity of the […]
Videos | May 7, 2021
During this Close Up Conversations webinar, Close Up’s, Mia Charity discusses ‘Workers’ Rights & Teacher Unions’ with guest speakers Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. After a year of changing our normal working lives, many workers including teachers are still navigating difficult changes to their work lives. Join us for a session […]