Seniors' Last Day!

Congratulations to the Liberty North class of 2016! You've made it! However, this is just one phase of your life, and you are about to embark on the next step of your life. For some of you, that will be continued education in college, others may be serving in the military, while some of you may be entering the workforce. Whatever your future holds, I have several articles/words of wisdom for you to read and reflect upon. For the few juniors here today, you are also invited to read and reflect as this information may apply to you as well.

Advice for High School Graduates

"You're Not Special"

Once you have read the above articles, please fill out this reflection.

Final Project

Contemporary Issues

Final Project

Topic Research & Resource Collection

Your final project is to select a topic of interest that we did not have a chance to cover this semester and gather resources (web links, videos, articles, etc) that provide an overview of the topic and at least five subtopics. You will also create a presentation (10 minutes) that explains the various aspects of your topic (think of it as a teaser or a pitch on why this unit should be included next time). You will complete this task in groups of 2-4 individuals. Presentations will start this Thursday and continue on Friday and Monday. All other material is also due at that time. Your final collection of resources, with links and annotations, will be on a Google Spreadsheet. Please use this link and make a copy with the title of your topic and the names of the members of the group.

Timeline

Monday: Topic (must be approved by instructor) selection, sign-up for presentation time-slot

Tuesday: Research, read and annotate
Wednesday: Research, read and annotate, work on presentation

Thurs, Friday, Monday: Presentations

Requirements

______1. Selection and approval of topic/subtopics. Your topic should include 3-5 subtopics.

______2. Collection of resources (25pts)

Must have a minimum of the following:

Twenty articles/ websites dealing with the topic/subtopics

Five videos (at least one less than 5 minutes and one more than 5 minutes)

All of the above must be hyperlinked on the Google Spreadsheet

______3. Annotation of each of the resources (50pts)

For each resource chosen above, write a one-paragraph summary of the resource and explain how it can be used to learn more about the topic. This will also be completed on the Google Spreadsheet.

______4. Presentation of your topic (25pts)

Using Google Presentation, create a slideshow that demonstrates the overall unit and topics/issues that could be covered. For example, our unit on college athletes and pay included payment for play, compensation for video game likeness, and player unionization. Your presentation should be a minimum of ten slides, may include a video, and be approximately 10 minutes long.

Friday Forum: The Supreme Court & Same-Sex Marriage

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on deciding whether or not states must recognize and/or issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples. The Court's decision should be released by the end of June and many experts expect a landmark ruling.

Let's begin with a video that shows the growth of marriage equality in the United States over the last two decades. As you are watching, look for two trends.





Here's the Washington Post's preview of the case, Obergefell v. Hodges.




And, here are a few of the Justices and their arguments/questions from Tuesday.



Vox's coverage of same-sex marriage and the Obergefell v. Hodges case

Washington Post's coverage of the oral arguments

Robo Phobia?

Should we be concerned about a world with more and more advanced robots taking on human tasks?  Will people become too attached to their robots? Will artificial intelligence someday make robots independent of humans? What kind of laws are needed to regulate the use of robots?

 Do We Need Asimov's Laws?

Isaac Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics"

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Morals and the Machine

Death by Robot

Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Humanity? Here are 5 Reasons Not to Worry


UN Considers Ethics of "Killer Robots"

The Big Robot Questions


Are there ethical issues of entrusting the care of your elderly parents to robots? Or will personal robots help the elderly live longer and more independently?

Should Missouri Allow Driverless Cars?

Scenario: There are currently only a few states that allow driverless or autonomous cars on public roads. The Missouri Legislature is considering changing the law to allow these vehicles on Missouri roads. As a member of the General Assembly Transportation Committee, you will have to decide whether to support this bill.

Please conduct more research on the benefits and concerns of these new vehicles, using the links below or other articles that you find. After reading about the pros/cons of driverless cars, write a one-page brief that outlines your position. It should be formatted as follows:

Position: A clear position either for or against allowing driverless cars on Missouri roads

Point One: A succinct sentence (bolded) followed by a paragraph (non-bolded) explaining that point

Point Two: A succinct sentence (bolded) followed by a paragraph (non-bolded) explaining that point

Point Three: A succinct sentence (bolded) followed by a paragraph (non-bolded)  explaining that point

Summary: Not really a summary, but three questions you have for the other side of the argument.

Tomorrow, we will simulate a General Assembly Committee Hearing. Each of you will have an opportunity to discuss your views on this proposal, including asking questions of other members.

Who's Afraid of Driverless Cars?

States Take the Wheel on Driverless Cars

Ban Driverless Cars? The NHSTA Says Yes

Look, no hands

Driverless Cars for the Road Ahead

Google Results for State Legislature Driverless Cars

Driverless Cars

Could your next car be a driverless car? Could driverless cars actually be safer than cars driven by humans? How would driverless cars change the legal landscape concerning insurance, speed limits, and driver's licenses? The technology is currently being developed and mass production may not be that far off.

Look, no hands--The Economist takes a look at the benefits of driverless cars.

Driverless Cars for the Road Ahead-The Wall Street Journal examines the future of driverless cars





A look at Google's Driverless Car








Mercedes Benz Driverless Car

 

 Volvo's "Car Train"

Personal Robot Research & Presentation

The field of personal robots is rapidly emerging, however, the design, role, and functionality of personal robots is quite diverse. More time and money is needed to continue the research and development of these futuristics assistants.

Your task:
You will be on a team of 3-4 individuals, assigned to research a particular personal robot. You will conduct research on the development (who, when, how, history, etc.) of the personal robot, its functions or abilities, and proposed use. Also, how far away is it from mass production or how long do you think it will be before these are actually on the market and in people's houses?

After you have conducted your research, create a presentation (GoogleDocs, Prezi, Slideshare, etc) that demonstrates and explains the value of your personal robot. Your presentation should be framed as a "sales pitch" or a justification for continued funding and support for the development of the robot.

You should spend today and Thursday (20 minutes) conducting research and creating the presentation.

Presentations will take place Friday.

Presentations should have a minimum of 6 slides, not including any title pages or citations. Your final slide should contain your citations (minimum of 5 citations). Your presentation should include graphics and at least one video.

Here are the personal robots:

mOBI

PR2

Asimo

QB (Anybots)

VGo

Nao

Friday Forum: Flashback Edition

We have looked at several topics over the course of this semester, but what new developments are there? Today we are going to revisit some of those topics and see what's happening.

ISIS
ISIS pushed back in Iraq
ISIS moves in on Ramadi

Cyberwarfare
Iran is Raising Sophistication of Cyberattacks
Evidence Links China to Cyberattack

Space Travel
Watch SpaceX failed landing
SpaceX brings cargo



KC Passes Ordinance that Could Drive Out Uber
Boko Haram Kidnapped Girls One Year Ago

Personal Robots

How long will it be before households or individuals have personal robots? What will their role be? Is it just a science fiction fantasy? These videos explore the possibilities.








Meet Eddie, the Robot






Personal Robots Moving Closer to Reality



ASIMO Goes to the Big Apple





Romo: The Smartphone Robot




Rezero: The Ballbot



Pepper the Personal Robot

Weaponized Military Robots

The use of robots in the military for non-lethal tasks like carrying equipment and reconnaissance is becoming more common. But what about robots equipped with weapons? Is this really the future of modern warfare? If so, what are the ethical considerations of using weaponized robotics?





As you can see in the video, weaponized robots are a possibility in the not so distant future. How does that change the landscape of war? Will weaponized robots make warfare more likely? How can we be sure that they will be accurate and discern friend from foe? By removing the human element from at least part of the equation, how does that impact warfare? Will countries fight wars in the future with all robot militaries?

Please read this article on the ethics of robots in the military and autonomous killing machines.  As you read, think about the questions raised by the author.

UN Report on Autonomous Weaponized Robots in Combat

Campaign to Stop Killer Robots

Robots in the Military

The use of robots and artificial intelligence in the military is not new. In recent years, the use of drones has increased dramatically and robots have been used in a number of non-combat services. However, new technology and development has led to expanded use and the potential for non-human combat operations is becoming closer to reality. The following links include both video and articles for you to view/read to find out more about these new technologies.



How Military Robots Work: Read this article to look at various uses of robot technology in the military

Military & Space Robots: Check out all the cools things robots can do!

Killer Robots with Automatic Rifles

Atlas: The Humanoid Military Robot



The Wildcat: The Military's Galloping Robot



Robobugs: How long before military use?




  TALOS: Will the next generation of soldiers be equipped like Iron Man?




Guardbot: The future of sentry patrols?

Robots in the Medical Field

Will robots revolutionize the way that medicine and medical treatment is administered? Will robots and artificial intelligence lead to new breakthroughs in the field of medicine?

Read the following articles/view the videos below and answer the questions with each.

The Robots of Medicine: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Costs?
Do the results associated with robotic surgery/medicine justify its costs?

12 Advances in Medical Robots
Read through the various medical robots. Which ones are most impressive and will have the greatest impact?

Future of Medicine?: New Robot Can Draw Your Blood
Given the choice between a human or a robot, which would you rather have draw your blood and why?

Surgery's Future: Robots in Medicine
How does the da Vinci medical robot improve the surgical process?

Robotic Surgery Complications Underreported
Should this report cause concern over the use of medical robots? Should we slow down development and ensure that robotic surgery is safer?

Friday Forum: Restrictions on Welfare Recipients

Proposals concerning welfare recipients in Kansas and Missouri have made national headlines the last few weeks. Lawmakers are concerned that some people are abusing their government assistance and using money for unnecessary or extravagant food and other items.

Kansas wants to ban welfare recipients from buying...

Missouri Republicans are trying to ban food stamp recipients from buying steak and seafood

The rich get government handouts too

Robots in the Workplace (cont)

Yesterday you read several articles on the future of the work place as new technology is increasing the use of robots in the work force. Today we will watch several videos and discuss whether the use of robots in the work place is a positive or negative.

Robots in the Workplace

Will robots increase productivity and boost the economy or will they replace American workers and leave them unemployed?

Read the following three articles to find out more about the impact of robots in the American workplace. Tomorrow, we will discuss and debate whether or not the increased use of robots in the workplace is a positive or negative. As you read, create a two-column chart noting the benefits and concerns of this development in the workforce.

New Robots in the Workplace: Job Creators or Job Terminators?

Better Than Humans: Why Robots Will--And Must Take Our Jobs

Robots Are Leaving the Factory Floor and Heading for Your Desk (And Your Job)

Robots!

Our next unit focuses on robots and artificial intelligence. To begin, let's explore some discussion questions on the use of robots.

1. What images spring to mind when you hear the word "robot"?
2. Will robots take over the world some day?
3. Do you see robots as harmful or helpful?
4. Which robot movie is your favorite?
5. If you could create a robot, what would you have it do (primarily)?
6. What role will robots play in our society later this century?
7. Will robots ever look identical to humans?
8. Do you think robots will ever have emotions?
9. What name would you give your robot?
10. Will robots have rights?
11. When do you think robots will replace McDonald's workers?
12. Do you think people will have robots as companions, instead of a pet?
13. What economic effects will there be with increased jobs being replaced by robots?
14. Would you rather deal with a robot or a human clerk in stores?
15. Would you cry if your robot of ten years died?
16. How much of the human body will be replaced by machines? Will there be androids in the future?
17. How will warfare change with increased use of robots as soldiers?
18. Would you rather have a human or robot surgeon?
19. How soon before driverless cars are the norm?
20. Will sports be dominated by robots in the future?

Space Exploration Assessment

Here's the link to the assessment on space exploration. Please make sure your answers are complete and well thought out.

Space Tourism

Will space tourism become a reality sooner rather than later? The prospects look good. Here are a few more articles that look at the issue.




11 Questions About Space Travel Answered

Space Balloons

Wealthy Chinese Lining Up to Blast Off


And in semi-related news, Vox had a story on things the US government spends more money on than NASA. Definitely worth a look.

Space X

In addition to Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic project, fellow billionaire Elon Musk of Tesla Motors and PayPal fame is also in the space race. Despite the obvious similarities, there are also many differences between SpaceX and Virgin Galactic.

Read the following articles and conduct research on your own to find three similarities and three differences between these two projects. Write a paragraph for each similarity and difference between SpaceX and Virgin Galactic.



Enter the Dragon 

SpaceX Landed a Rocket on a Platform

Elon Musk's Mission to Mars

Commercial Space Travel Blasts Off in 2014

Virgin Galactic

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Mobile and Virgin Airlines and a host of other ventures, is one of the primary leaders in the commercial space tourism field. His project, Virgin Galactic, has been in development for more than ten years and its goal is to allow ordinary citizens, albeit wealthy ones, the opportunity to go into space.




Last year, Virgin Galactic suffered a setback with the crash of one its test flights, but that does not seem to be stopping their plans.

Virgin Galactic: Richard Branson's Space Company




Richard Branson's Blog Post After the Crash

Virgin Galactic Fliers Reassess Plans After Crash

Virgin Mobile is working out of Spaceport America, located in New Mexico, a tax-payer funded $250 million dollar facility.

Spaceport America

New Mexico Legislature Wants to Sell Spaceport America

Spaceport Woes Bedevil New Mexico

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you be willing to reserve a seat (if you had the money) on Virgin Galactic? Why or why not?

2. Does this seem like to big of a risk, especially allowing ordinary citizens to take part in these flights?

3. If a spaceport was proposed for a rural area in Missouri, supported by taxpayer dollars, would you support it?

Friday Forum: March Madness

The NCAA basketball tournament, better known as March Madness, started yesterday with its usual games of upsets, last-second dramatics, and blow-outs. Regardless of the outcome, millions of Americans love watching the games (and betting on them).

We're going to begin today with a pre-assessment.

1. How many years has there been an NCAA basketball tournament?

2. How many teams are in the tournament?

3. How much is estimated to be wagered on the tournament worldwide?

4. What are the odds of a perfect bracket?

5. How much did CBS and TBS spend on a 14 year contract with the NCAA to televise the games?

6. How much did CBS and TBS earn in ad revenue last year from the tournament?

7. How much lost worker productivity (in dollars) is estimated due to the tournament?

8. Approximately how many Americans fill out a bracket?

9. How many teams were in the first NCAA basketball tournament?

10. How much money did Warren Buffett and Quicken Loans offer for a perfect bracket last year?

AP Explains: March Madness, When America Goes Basketball Mad

March Madness Fun Facts

Source: WalletHub

The World of Private Space Travel

If the Mars One project seems unlikely to come to fruition, what about other forms of space travel? If we can't colonize Mars, will citizens be able to fly into space for short periods or vacation in space on a space station? What companies are involved in these projects and how close are they to being a reality?

Two of the leading private companies are led by a pair of billionaires, Elon Musk and Richard Branson.



Vox has a series of cards that look at some of the more common questions concerning private space travel. Read through the cards to get a better understanding of where we are in the development of private space travel, including space tourism and mining.

Mars One: Headed for Disaster?

Now that we've seen the plan for the Mars One mission and met some of the finalists, we need to evaluate whether or not this project is ever going to get off the ground. Mars One has many critics and skeptics in the scientific community.

Here are a couple of articles that outline the concerns, hazards, and realities of their attempt to colonize Mars.

Is a One-Way Trip to Mars Doomed to Fail?

Mars One: Exciting Adventure or Hoax?


These two articles focus more on the costs involved and the reality of funding (or lack thereof).

Neil DeGrasse Tyson Thinks Mars One Mission Will Fail to Get Financial Backing

Mars One Project is Doomed to Failure and Could Endanger the Future of Science

Discussion Questions:

In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle, funding or lack of scientific technology for sustained living on Mars?

Is it ethical to send humans to Mars (with no way to bring them back) with all of the dangers involved?

Do you think this is a more of a publicity stunt/financial scam than it is a genuine mission to Mars?

If Mars One does not raise the money necessary, what should they do with all of the contributions? 

Mars One: The First Space Colony on Mars?

In addition to NASA and other countries' space programs, there are also many private enterprises that look to explore space and develop commercial space travel, even colonization. One of the most ambitious projects is Mars One, a plan to start colonization on Mars starting within the next decade. There is even a contest to determine who will be the first inhabitants.

We are going to take the next few days and examine the Mars One mission and determine if this is a viable and realistic project or not.





Is this a project you would want to be part of? Thousands of people across the world have applied to be among the first humans on Mars and the final selections will be made by an online vote.









Is this just a really ambitious reality TV show or something that will actually come to fruition?

Read more about the Mars One Project, their mission, and the applicants at the Mars One website.

Friday Forum: Apple Watch--the Next Big Thing or a Bust?

This past week Apple revealed more about its newest product, the Apple Watch, which is set to go on sale next month. The entry level watch costs $349 while the upper end model will sell for as much as $17,000. But what exactly does the watch do to warrant such a price? Will "smart watches" be as ubiquitous in the future as smart phones today?

The Apple Watch:





Here are a few articles on the Apple Watch and its upcoming release.

Apple Watch: Success or Failure?

Hands on the Apple Watch

The Apple Watch will Flop: Here's Why


Discussion Questions:

1. What is the purpose of the Apple Watch? Will it replace smart phones?

2. Would you want an Apple Watch? Why or why not?

3. What do you see as the greatest benefits of the Apple Watch? Drawbacks?

4. Where do you see the Apple Watch in one year? Five years? Ten years?

NASA Missions

Today we are going to take a closer look at NASA, including it budget and some of their missions. We also want to start addressing the question of whether or not space exploration should be primarily a government funded and planned operation, or whether this would be better left to the private sector. Is it a good use of taxpayer money?

First, spend some time looking at some of the missions NASA is currently engaged in. You can find a list of their missions here (try to find one that is either current of planned for the future). You will have about ten-fifteen minutes to read about the mission and what it entails before sharing with the whole class. Try to find out as much as you can, including any cost estimates--you may have to search outside of the NASA website.

Next, we are going to have a debate tomorrow on whether or not the federal government should be spending billions of dollars on space exploration or not. Some people believe that this money would be better spent solving problems here on earth while others see the benefits of this research. You will each be assigned a side and will need to research and find points to support your position. You will have some time tomorrow to collectively work on your points before debating the other side.

Space Travel: What is NASA's Vision for the Future

Space travel will be conducted by both the government (NASA) and private companies. NASA recently retired the space shuttle program and now is in the development phase of future space missions, including continued space station missions, a return to the moon, deep space orbit, and exploration of Mars and other planets. Today, we will be looking at the future of NASA and their programs.






For NASA, sending a person to Mars is simple, dealing with Congress is hard

NASA's Orion Tests Future of Manned Spaceflights

The Future of Humanity Rests in Deep Space

10 Strange Projects in Development at NASA

Space Travel: What's on the Horizon?

The 20th century saw humans fly for the first time with the Wright brothers. Within 50 years, commercial plane travel became common. Now in the 21st century, many people speculate that we will have commercial space travel in the next fifty years. Is this a reality or still science fiction fantasy? Who will be the driving force behind space exploration and travel? The government or private enterprise? Is the technology available? Is it a wise investment of money? Who will be able to go? Where will we go? These are just a few of the questions we will be looking at over the next few weeks.

To begin, we will watch this video that provides a nice overview of some of the potential for future space travel.

ISIS Assessment

Please click on this link to access the assessment on ISIS. Please make sure your answers are thorough and complete.

The Sunni vs. Shia Divide

Some of the problems associated with ISIS relate back to the major divide in Islam between the Sunni and Shia Muslims. Here are a few questions we would like to address:

• What is the source of division or conflict? How did it originate?
• Approximately how many Sunni Muslims are there? Shia Muslims?
• What countries are majority Sunni? Which ones are majority Shia?
• How did the Iranian revolution of 1979 change the Sunni/Shia relations? What two countries were at the center of the conflict?
• How did the 2003 invasion of Iraq lead to more sectarian violence?
• Where does ISIS fit into all of this? How does this Sunni/Shia divide help them?
• Does this divide in Islam in any way resemble the divide in Christianity?

The Council on Foreign Relations has an excellent overview of the divide between Shias and Sunnis. We'll start with a video that explains some of the key points before looking at their feature story.

Key words: sectarian, secular, schism, apostate

Is Obama's ISIS Strategy Working?

Last week we looked at President Obama's strategy outlined in September to degrade and destroy ISIS. Now, six months later, have we made any progress? Let's look again at some of the key points.

Airstrikes in Iraq & Syria

Train and Arm Syrian Rebels

Train and Equip Iraqi Army

International Coalition

Obama has insisted that US troops will not get involved on the ground in fighting ISIS. But, is that necessary for victory?




The US Should Not Send in Troops

The US Should Send in Troops

Friday Forum: The FCC and Net Neutrality

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled 3-2 in favor of new net neutrality rules. This important decision ensures that all information and web pages will enjoy the same access speeds provided by carriers, with no preferential treatment being granted based on content or higher payment. With net neutrality, the government is essentially treating internet providers like public utility companies, subject to government regulation. Watch the videos below (use your earbuds) and read the articles to get a better understanding of net neutrality.






 Here's Senator Ted Cruz's argument against net neutrality and government regulation.

 


FCC Passes Net Neutrality: What This Means for Americans

FCC Votes "Yes" on Strongest Net-Neutrality Rules

5 Arguments Against Net Neutrality

Feel free to search for other articles on this topic as well if time allows.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you agree with the FCC's decision? Why or why not?

2. Do you believe that internet providers should be regulated like public utilities?

3. Will the FCC's ruling stifle free enterprise and innovation, or better protect small start-ups online?

4. Should websites like Netflix or YouTube that take up more bandwidth have to pay more to ISPs or help with infrastructure costs?

President Obama's ISIS Strategy

In early September, President Obama outlined to the American public his administration's plans to help "degrade" and "destroy" ISIS in the Middle East.

There are two main questions we want to answer regarding this issue:
1. What, specifically, is the President's plan?
2. Is it working?

The first question should be relatively easy to answer. You need to begin by watching (use your earbuds) his address to the American people that explains the rationale for US involvement, the complexities of the conflict, and the US plans for military and diplomatic action. As you watch, please take notes over specific plans that the President outlines.




Vox also has an excellent overview of the President's six point plan.

President Obama Lays Out His Strategy to Destroy ISIS

You can also read about the President's speech here.

Discussion Questions:
1. What part of the President's plan do you think will be the most effective or is the most important?
2. Which part of the plan do you think is the most difficult to implement?
3. Do you agree with the President's proposals? Too little or too much US military involvement?
4. What, if anything, should the US do in addition?



The more difficult question is assessing the effectiveness of the President's plan. It has been nearly six months since he outlined his plan. What, if anything, has changed? We will address and evaluate that question tomorrow.

ISIS and the Recruitment of Foreigners

Although exact numbers are unknown, a considerable number of ISIS members are coming from outside of Syria and Iraq. Who are these people and where are they coming from? Why? What is the appeal? What is ISIS doing to recruit them? How is ISIS trying to expand their followers?

True/False Quiz:

1. Three teenage girls from Denver recently skipped school to fly over to Europe and eventually join ISIS.

2. Approximately 1000 Westerners have joined ISIS so far, nearly 200 women.

3. ISIS has used the video game Battlefield as a form of recruitment.

4. The "ginger jihadist" is a 35 year-old red-head from Australia who joined ISIS last year and has appeared in several propaganda videos for them.

5. As many as 20,000 foreigners from around the world have gone to Syria to join ISIS.

Working with a partner, find articles to answer the following questions. At the end of each answer, be sure to include the source (web address).

1. Where are these outside fighters coming from? Any specific numbers or approximations of these people?
2. Explain why these people are joining ISIS. What are their motivations? Are they all the same or are people joining for different reasons?
3. What is attracting women to ISIS?
4. What is their role in ISIS? How does this help ISIS? 
5. What is ISIS doing to help recruit these people?
6. What can be done, if anything, to reduce the influx of outsiders joining the ranks of ISIS?

UPDATE: Here's a brand new article on ISIS and the recruitment of females.

Friday Forum: The Other Islamist Group Wreaking Havoc

Kidnapping and ransoms. Slaughtering innocent women and children. Islamic extremists. Suicide bombings. Trying to establish a caliphate. Opposed to western values. Fueled by ethnic and religious conflicts. Propaganda and social media. ISIS? Nope.

Don't Ignore Boko Haram's Atrocities

Why Did the World Ignore Boko Haram's Baga Attacks?

Discussion Questions:

• Why does Boko Haram not receive the same media attention as ISIS or the Charlie Hibdo attacks in France?
• Is Boko Haram as big of a threat as ISIS? 
• Should the US be concerned? Why or why not? 
• What should the US do (if anything) in response to the actions (such as the kidnapping of several hundred school children) of Boko Haram?

What Does ISIS Want?

We now know about the origins of ISIS, but what exactly are its goals? What does it hope to accomplish? The short answer to that question is to establish a caliphate. But upon further analysis, it is more complex than that.

How big of  threat is ISIS to the United States? Is this something that should be a priority for US military or is this more of a regional threat that should be handled by countries in the Middle East?

Source: http://www.statista.com/chart/3231/americans-view-isis-as-their-greatest-threat/

Read the following articles to find out more about what ISIS is trying to accomplish and how they are going about it. Are they a threat to Americans? After reading several of the articles and watching the video below (use your earbuds), create two lists: ISIS Goals & ISIS Tactics. Also, assess the threat ISIS poses to the United States. On a scale of 1-10, how worried should we be?

Beheading Video Sends Brutal Message to America: What Does ISIS Want?

ISIS Goals and Possible Future Gains

How Serious a Threat is ISIS?

ISIS Wants to Establish a Caliphate

ISIS Goals and Tactics (video)

What ISIS Really Wants

ISIS & Kidnapping: Should Countries Pay Ransom for Kidnapped Hostages

One of the ways that ISIS funds its operations is through kidnappings and ransoms, primarily from western countries. However, not all countries, including the United States, negotiate with the terrorists and refuse to pay ransom for the hostages. ISIS has executed those hostages and publicized their deaths (often by beheading), through social media.





Should countries accede to terrorists' ransom demands, or allow innocent people to be killed, often in gruesome and public ways?


The Fate of 23 Hostages

Should Nations Just Pay ISIS Ransom?

Why Countries Should Think About Paying Ransoms

Should the US Pay Ransom for ISIS Hostages

Paying Ransoms, Europe Bankrolls Terrorism

After reading the above articles and watching the videos, write an editorial arguing either for or against countries paying ransom for hostages. Include specific reasons for your position.

Standard--Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

ISIS and the Obama Administration Response

The Frontline video presented a critical look at the rise of ISIS and the Obama administration's handling of the situation. Several former administration officials and national security experts question the lack of military assistance and continued support of Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki in 2014.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think the rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq could have been slowed by a faster and stronger military response by the United States? Why did the Obama administration wait to intervene?

2. How did the U.S. support for Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki contribute to the problems in Iraq?

3. Should the U.S. supply Syrian rebel fighters in their fight against ISIS and the Syrian government? What danger is there in providing them with weapons?


Yesterday, President Obama formally requested an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) from Congress to help combat ISIS. In addition to the resolution, here is the letter he sent Congress explaining his request.

The White House web page offers an overview of the President's proposal and rationale for the request: The AUMF against ISIL: What You Need to Know

The Origins of ISIS

A year ago, very few people in the United States knew about or were talking about ISIS. Today, they dominate the news and most Americans are aware of their actions in Syria and Iraq. However, many of us wonder where did they come from? Who started ISIS? How did it grow so quickly?

The roots of ISIS: Read the following article and this article about the origins of ISIS. As you read, define/note how each of the following are involved in the formation of ISIS.

1. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
2. The 2003 invasion of Iraq
3. AQI
4. the "Awakening"
5. Prime Minister Maliki & the Shiite-Sunni conflict
6. US Withdrawal from Iraq
7. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
8. Syrian Civil War
9. Mosul

ISIS

Our next area of focus is on the Middle East, specifically ISIS and their activity in Syria and Iraq.

To begin, I would like you to share what you know (or think you know) about ISIS and the current conflict as well as what questions you have about them. Please record your answers and questions using this link.


Ten Things You Need to Know About ISIS




The Rise of ISIS

Friday Forum: Car Wars--Uber & Lyft vs. Standard Taxis and City Regulations

One of the biggest developments in transportation during 2014 was the rise of ride-sharing programs like Uber and Lyft. These companies, along with several others, have threatened the standard practice of taxis and cities' efforts to regulate them.

Read the following articles and watch the videos to find out more about these ride sharing programs and what makes them so controversial.







KC: Ridesharing Program Lyft Operating Illegally

In Ride Sharing Debate, Who is the Bad Guy?

Uber Drives Useful Change in Cab Industry

Why Google's ride-sharing program should terrify Uber and Lyft


Discussion Questions
1. Should Uber, Lyft, and other ride share programs be regulated like taxis?
2. What are the dangers or concerns of ride share programs?
3. What do you think of Google's plan to implement their own ride sharing program, however without actual drivers? Would you trust a driverless car? What other advantages do you see for driverless cars?

Cyberwarfare, Cyberterrorism, and Cyber Crime Assessment

Please go to this link to answer questions related to our unit on cyber crimes and cyber warfare. Good luck!

WikiLeaks: Should Julian Assange be Prosecuted?

Yesterday we looked at the case of Julian Assange and the website WikiLeaks, responsible for releasing thousands of classified US State Department documents. Because of his actions, there are calls to have him prosecuted for threatening national security. Others have defended his right to publish information under the First Amendment's freedom of the press.

First, read what three legal experts believe about the WikiLeaks case and a potential indictment under the 1917 Espionage Act.

U.S. vs. WikiLeaks: Can Assange Be Prosecuted?


Next, read these two brief editorials about whether Julian Assange should be prosecuted.

Prosecute Assange Under the Espionage Act

WikiLeaks Prosecution Would Set Bad Precedent

What do you think? Is this a violation of the Espionage Act? Should Assange be prosecuted? Is he protected under the 1st Amendment? Would this be different if it was a newspaper like the NY Times or Washington Post revealing this information?

WikiLeaks and Julian Assange

One of the most famous cases of the use of the internet to both acquire and publish information is the website WikiLeaks. Founded by Julian Assange in 2006, it became famous in 2010 for its release of US diplomatic cables and classified military information, leaked by US Army officer Bradley (now Chelsea) Manning.

While some consider Assange's acts illegal and others (Joe Biden) have called him a terrorist, he has been widely recognized for bringing to light government corruption throughout the world and was voted Time magazine people's choice for person of the year.

Is Assange a hero for freedom of the press or a criminal intent on causing trouble?

Cybercrime/Hacker Groups: Anonymous, Lizard Squad, & Lulzsec

Hacker groups have made headlines for attacks on other websites, corporations, gaming systems, and even government sites. Among the most famous are Anonymous, Lizard Squad, and Lulzsec. Who is behind these groups? What is their motive? Are they a form of online vigilante justice or criminals hiding behind a keyboard?

This is Lizard Squad

LulzSec: What They Did, Who They Were, and How They Got Caught

Activists or Attackers: Anonymous

Choose one of the above groups and read the article about them. Also check out the wikipedia page about your group and make a list of some of their well known hacktivity.


Anonymous, Lizard Squad, and Lulzsec are not the only hacker groups causing problems. Read about a few others that are active in disrupting systems.

Friday Forum: Mickey Mouse & the Measles

The above headlines represent the growing concern over the recent measles outbreak in the United States.  Based on the headlines above, brainstorm at least five questions you have about this topic.


9 Things Everyone Should Know About Measles

Ebola was Only a Warmup: The Measles Outbreak is for Real

Parents who oppose measles vaccine, hold firm to their beliefs

Mom: Family that refused vaccination put my baby in quarantine