Thinking the Web

			Thinking the Web

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Author: Jeff Liebmann

Publisher: Jeff Liebmann (with a portion of proceeds going to the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh)

Publisher's Address: 2316 Forest Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Date: 1997

Email Address: jdl1@vms.cis.pitt.edu

Phone Number of Copyright Holder: (412) 624-4226 (day); (412) 371-3232(night) URL: http://www.pitt.edu/~jdl1/UUcurric.htm

Theme: Moral Issues and Thinking Skills

Description: Thinking the Web helps youth discuss complex legal issues that have broad moral implications both historically and in today's society,especially focussing on the Unitarian Universalist perspective articulated in resolutions passed at annual General Assemblies. Thinking the Web also helps youth develop and enhance their techniques of systematic thinking through the application of critical and creative thinking strategies as applied to these discussions. Students discuss medical issues (Abortion, Right to Die with Dignity, and Drug Legalization), societal issues (Pornography, Capital Punishment, and Gun Control), and global issues (Weapons of Mass Destruction and Peace making versus Just War). Throughout the curriculum, students are exposed to a range of systematic thinking skills, including how to structure discourse on moral issues, evaluating arguments, creating ideas and hypotheses, and understanding the consequences of applying one's ideas. For example, specific sessions help students learn how to use tools that facilitate group discussion and to produce and prioritize ideas. Other sessions deal with identifying fallacies in arguments, interpreting evidence, and examining unstated assumptions.

Age Range: High School (9th to 12th grades)

Ideal Size of Group: >5

Number of Sessions: 25

Length of Sessions: 60-75 minutes

UU Values Included: Thinking the Web assumes that it is the responsibility of our churches to help youth develop into adult Unitarian Universalists by expanding their intellectual horizons and helping them build sound minds. Each session encourages youth to critically examine the ethical positions of society, the positions of the UUA as articulated in General Assembly resolutions, and their own views.