google doc for editing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SD5Uc_Tcvh9b96NH6AO_jWVLxYdKtTB3OEFF_7v9MjU/edit

1. Identify and describe significant current issues at the local, national, and global levels, understanding their origins, stakeholders, and potential impacts on society and the environment.

2. Analyze diverse perspectives and sources of information regarding current issues, critically evaluating arguments, evidence, and biases to form well-informed opinions.

3. Develop and articulate informed positions on current issues, applying ethical reasoning and critical thinking skills to propose solutions, advocate for change, and engage in civic discourse through writing, discussion, and digital media.

Text below is a starting point, we can build on this. Orriginal source: 

https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Literature_and_Literacy/Critical_Thinking_and_Information_Literacy_(Pogue)/09%3A_Information_Power_and_Privilege/9.01%3A_Information_Power_and_Privilege_Details

14.1: Information Power and Privilege Details

Why Are We Reading This?

This week's readings are designed to challenge our thinking about the voices in academic spaces. Whose voices are the loudest? Are there voices that aren't being heard and why? What does this mean for you as a student? Are you hearing the voices you need to hear?

These are questions I'd like you to think about as you read selected articles this week. For some, you will find this reading empowering. Others might find it uncomfortable. And some might fall somewhere in between. I think it's important that both students and educators understand the system in which we're working. It's important to have these conversations to push the needle and create a more representative educational system. You'll have a chance to share your thoughts in one of this week's discussion forums.

Makeup of Students, Faculty, Administrators

In 2018, The Campaign for College Opportunity (a non profit organization) released an alarming report describing the makeup of students, faculty, and administrators at California campuses. Alarming because the ethnicities and genders of faculty and administrators in no way mirror those of the students.

The report is titled, Left Out: How Exclusion in California's Colleges and Universities Hurts Our Values, Our Students, and Our Economy. The authors looked at 2016-17 data from databases connected to California colleges and universities as well as federal databases. They found that student populations are increasingly diverse with more than two-thirds of those enrolled identifying as something other than white. However, the data shows that campus faculty and leadership  do not match the racial and gender diversity of the student populations.

This is true in all state systems: California State Universities, University of California campuses, and California Community Colleges (CCCs). For CCCs, the data shows that 68% of students identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander,  African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Latinx. However, only 33% of tenured faculty, 31% of non-tenured faculty, and 38% of campus leadership fall into these categories. Tenured and non-tenured faculty and campus administration is overwhelmingly white.

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The authors discuss why these statistics are problematic:

College leaders set the tone, values, and direction of their institutions and when that leadership is not reflective of the diversity of the student population, student success suffers. When campuses are inclusive and reflective of the student population, the culture, practices and policies align with the needs of the students. Students experience a greater sense of belonging and have more role models who understand and validate their experiences (executive summary, 2018, p. 4).

The authors call on the state and college and university leadership to commit to racial equity in higher education, including examining hiring practices and establishing both statewide and campus-wide goals to close equity gaps.

The executive summary was used to write this section and is linked in the citation. The full title at the beginning of this page links to the full report.

14.2.1 Other Readings

The rest of the readings for this week come from other voices that I want you to hear. The first is from a student who attends a predominantly white school. The second discusses the tenure process at four-year colleges and universities. And, the third is a letter from faculty members who once taught at a predominantly white institution. I have included them this week so that you can better understand what is happening in higher education and how it affects the information that is created and consumed.

14.2.2 Black Students in White Spaces

This article appeared in 2018 on the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) website. It is written from the student's perspective and what it's like to be a Black student in a predominantly white school. She describes her experiences at independent schools, but I'm certain that students at public schools often have similar experiences.

Reading One: From the National Association of Independent Schools Website: Being Black in White Spaces by Kalah Brown

14.2.3 A Call to Change the Tenure System

This essay appeared in 2014 in Inside Higher Education. The author outlines the current measures of promotion in most 4-year institutions, argues what's wrong with the system, and offers some suggestions on how to change it. I've included it this week so that you have a better idea of how professors are hired and promoted at transfer institutions and why some people feel these systems need to be revisited.

Reading Two: From Inside Higher Education Website: Change the Tenure System by KerryAnn O’Meara

14.2.4 Black and Brown Faculty in Predominantly White Spaces

The last reading for this week is a letter published in 2016 on the Huffington Post website. It was written by people of color who were formerly employed by the University of Missouri (known as Mizzou). This is the perspective of one group from one institution. However, some of the experiences they had at this predominately white school (especially related to relationships with fellow faculty and administrators), are experiences that are well documented at many colleges and universities.

This letter hits at the concept of white privilege, a phrase that can often stir emotions or confusion. Emotions because some equate the phrase, white privilege, with racism; it is not the same. Confusion because some equate the phrase solely with socioeconomic status - "I'm white, but live in poverty - how can I be privileged?" But, it is about more than socioeconomic status. It is about what activist, Peggy McIntosh calls "unearned advantage." If you are not familiar with the nuances of white privilege or the phrase is stirring emotion or confusion, I encourage you to read McIntosh's short 1989 essay, "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" before you dive into this final reading.

The faculty of four-year colleges and universities tend to be even less diverse than community colleges. This letter outlines some major problems and offers some suggestions to make higher education more inclusive and diverse.

Reading Three: From Huffington Post Website: As People of Color Formerly Employed by Mizzou, We Demand Change by Bryana H. French, Ph.D., Dr. Zakiya R. Adair, and Kevin Cokley, Ph.D.

14.2.5 Whiteness of Librarianship

I think it's important for me to acknowledge that my own profession struggles with this issue; librarians across the country are overwhelming middle-aged white females.

The articles I've listed below are not part of your required reading this week, but I'm including them here for the curious and to show that I am aware of this issue. I take this information very seriously and am trying to do my part to create a more inclusive world of information experts.

Further Reading:

Bourg, C. (3, March 2014). The unbearable whiteness of librarianship [Blog post]. https://chrisbourg.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/the-unbearable-whiteness-of-librarianship/

Hathcock, A. (7, October 2015). White librarianship in blackface: Diversity initiatives in LIS. In the Library with the Lead Pipe. http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2015/lis-diversity/

This chapter was compiled, reworked, and/or written by Andi Adkins Pogue and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

References

Campaign for College Opportunity. (March 2018). Left out: How exclusion in California’s colleges and universities hurts our values, our students, and our economy: Executive summary. https://collegecampaign.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018-Left-Out-Executive-Summary-Final.pdf 

9.1: Information Power and Privilege Details is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

14.4 List of Current Issues: 

Political Issues

1. Global Political Polarization:

   • Argument Development: Analyze the causes and consequences of increasing political division within and between countries. Explore the role of social media in amplifying extremist views and its impact on democratic processes.

   • Stakeholders: Politicians, media companies, citizens, civil society organizations.

   • Impacts: Erosion of trust in democratic institutions, rise of populist movements, potential for increased conflict.

2. Authoritarianism and Human Rights Violations:

   • Argument Development: Evaluate the rise of authoritarian regimes and their impact on human rights. Discuss international responses and the effectiveness of sanctions and diplomacy.

   • Stakeholders: Governments, international organizations (e.g., UN), NGOs, affected populations.

   • Impacts: Suppression of free speech, political repression, human displacement.

Social Issues

3. Inequality and Social Justice:

   • Argument Development: Examine the root causes of economic and social inequality. Discuss the effectiveness of various policies aimed at reducing inequality and promoting social justice.

   • Stakeholders: Marginalized communities, policymakers, activists, businesses.

   • Impacts: Reduced social mobility, increased crime rates, social unrest.

4. Racial and Gender Discrimination:

   • Argument Development: Assess the persistence of racial and gender discrimination in various spheres (e.g., workplace, education, criminal justice). Explore the role of systemic biases and the effectiveness of affirmative action policies.

   • Stakeholders: Minority groups, advocacy organizations, employers, educators.

   • Impacts: Mental health issues, economic disparities, social fragmentation.

Environmental Issues

5. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation:

   • Argument Development: Analyze the causes and consequences of climate change. Discuss the roles of international agreements (e.g., Paris Agreement) and local initiatives in mitigating environmental damage.

   • Stakeholders: Governments, environmental organizations, businesses, citizens.

   • Impacts: Extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, economic losses.

6. Resource Scarcity and Sustainable Development:

   • Argument Development: Evaluate the challenges of managing finite resources in a growing global population. Discuss sustainable development practices and their feasibility.

   • Stakeholders: Governments, industries, local communities, international bodies.

   • Impacts: Food and water shortages, conflicts over resources, sustainable economic growth.

World Issues

7. Global Health Crises:

   • Argument Development: Examine the global response to health crises such as pandemics. Discuss the effectiveness of international cooperation and the challenges of vaccine distribution.

   • Stakeholders: World Health Organization, governments, pharmaceutical companies, populations at risk.

   • Impacts: Public health, economic stability, global cooperation.

8. Migration and Refugee Crises:

   • Argument Development: Analyze the causes and effects of mass migration and refugee flows. Discuss the responsibilities of host countries and the international community.

   • Stakeholders: Refugees, host countries, international organizations, local communities.

   • Impacts: Social integration, economic burden, cultural diversity.

USA-Specific Issues

9. Gun Control and Public Safety:

   • Argument Development: Debate the balance between Second Amendment rights and the need for public safety. Examine the effectiveness of various gun control measures.

   • Stakeholders: Gun owners, victims of gun violence, lawmakers, advocacy groups.

   • Impacts: Crime rates, public health, political debates.

10. Healthcare Accessibility and Affordability:

    • Argument Development: Assess the challenges of providing affordable healthcare to all citizens. Discuss the pros and cons of different healthcare models (e.g., single-payer vs. private insurance).

    • Stakeholders: Patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies, policymakers.

    • Impacts: Health outcomes, economic burden, social equity.

Digital Media and Civic Discourse

• Digital Misinformation and Fake News:

  • Argument Development: Investigate the spread of misinformation through digital platforms. Discuss the responsibilities of social media companies and the role of digital literacy.

  • Stakeholders: Social media users, tech companies, journalists, educators.

  • Impacts: Public opinion, political outcomes, social trust.

• Digital Privacy and Surveillance:

  • Argument Development: Evaluate the balance between national security and individual privacy. Discuss the ethical implications of data collection and surveillance practices.

  • Stakeholders: Citizens, tech companies, governments, civil liberties organizations.

  • Impacts: Personal freedoms, security measures, technological innovation.

Civic Discourse and Stakeholder Impacts

• Civic Engagement and Voter Participation:

  • Argument Development: Analyze the factors influencing voter turnout and civic engagement. Discuss strategies to enhance participation and the impact of voter suppression laws.

  • Stakeholders: Voters, political parties, advocacy groups, election officials.

  • Impacts: Democratic legitimacy, policy representation, social cohesion.

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

  • Argument Development: Examine the role of businesses in addressing social and environmental issues. Discuss the impact of CSR initiatives on corporate reputation and societal well-being.

  • Stakeholders: Corporations, consumers, employees, communities.

  • Impacts: Ethical business practices, environmental sustainability, social equity.

 This list can serve as a starting point for exploring these issues through various perspectives, fostering critical thinking, and developing well-rounded arguments. Below is text related to this list: 

14.4  Critical Thinking and Global Citizenship in Contemporary Issues

Introduction

In an increasingly interconnected world, it is vital for individuals to engage in critical thinking and responsible global citizenship. This chapter explores major political, social, environmental, and specific issues faced by the world and the United States, emphasizing the importance of analyzing these issues through a lens of compassion and open-mindedness. By examining these topics critically, we aim to foster a sense of responsibility and encourage free thought, ensuring that we, as global citizens, contribute positively to the world around us.

Section 1: Political Issues

Global Political Polarization

In recent years, political polarization has intensified within and between countries, leading to deep divisions among citizens. The rise of social media has exacerbated this issue by amplifying extremist views and creating echo chambers where individuals are exposed only to information that aligns with their existing beliefs. As global citizens, we must analyze the causes and consequences of this polarization, considering the roles of politicians, media companies, and civil society organizations. By understanding the erosion of trust in democratic institutions and the rise of populist movements, we can work towards solutions that promote dialogue and unity.

Authoritarianism and Human Rights Violations

The resurgence of authoritarian regimes poses significant challenges to human rights worldwide. These regimes often suppress free speech, political dissent, and civil liberties, leading to widespread human rights violations. International responses, including sanctions and diplomacy, aim to address these issues, but their effectiveness varies. By critically evaluating the actions of governments, international organizations, NGOs, and affected populations, we can advocate for stronger protections of human rights and support efforts to hold authoritarian regimes accountable.

Section 2: Social Issues

Inequality and Social Justice

Economic and social inequality remains a pervasive issue globally. The gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to widen, leading to reduced social mobility and increased crime rates. Policies aimed at reducing inequality and promoting social justice must be scrutinized for their effectiveness and fairness. By examining the perspectives of marginalized communities, policymakers, activists, and businesses, we can develop comprehensive strategies to address these disparities and create a more equitable society.

Racial and Gender Discrimination

Despite progress, racial and gender discrimination persists in various spheres, including the workplace, education, and the criminal justice system. Systemic biases contribute to these injustices, and affirmative action policies have been implemented to counteract them. However, their effectiveness and fairness are often debated. Through critical analysis of the experiences of minority groups, advocacy organizations, employers, and educators, we can work towards eliminating discrimination and promoting inclusivity.

Section 3: Environmental Issues

Climate Change and Environmental Degradation

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with far-reaching consequences for the planet. Extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and economic losses are just a few of the impacts of a changing climate. International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, and local initiatives aim to mitigate these effects. By examining the roles of governments, environmental organizations, businesses, and citizens, we can develop and support strategies that promote environmental sustainability and resilience.

Resource Scarcity and Sustainable Development

Managing finite resources in a growing global population presents significant challenges. Sustainable development practices are essential to ensure that future generations can thrive. By evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of these practices, we can advocate for policies that balance economic growth with environmental preservation. Stakeholders, including governments, industries, local communities, and international bodies, must work together to address resource scarcity and promote sustainable development.

Section 4: World Issues

Global Health Crises

The global response to health crises, such as pandemics, highlights the importance of international cooperation and preparedness. The challenges of vaccine distribution and public health measures require coordinated efforts from world health organizations, governments, pharmaceutical companies, and at-risk populations. By critically analyzing these responses, we can improve strategies for managing future health crises and ensure equitable access to healthcare.

Migration and Refugee Crises

Mass migration and refugee flows are driven by conflict, economic instability, and environmental factors. Host countries and the international community face significant challenges in addressing these crises. By examining the responsibilities of stakeholders, including refugees, host countries, international organizations, and local communities, we can develop compassionate and effective solutions that support displaced populations and promote social integration.

Section 5: USA-Specific Issues

Gun Control and Public Safety

The debate over gun control and public safety in the United States is highly contentious. Balancing Second Amendment rights with the need for public safety requires a nuanced approach. By analyzing the perspectives of gun owners, victims of gun violence, lawmakers, and advocacy groups, we can develop policies that reduce crime rates and enhance public health while respecting individual freedoms.

Healthcare Accessibility and Affordability

Providing affordable healthcare to all citizens remains a significant challenge in the United States. Different healthcare models, such as single-payer systems and private insurance, offer various solutions. By critically assessing these models and considering the perspectives of patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and policymakers, we can work towards a healthcare system that is accessible, affordable, and equitable.

Section 6: Digital Media and Civic Discourse

Digital Misinformation and Fake News

The spread of misinformation through digital platforms has profound implications for public opinion and political outcomes. Social media companies, journalists, educators, and users all play roles in combating fake news. By critically examining the responsibilities and actions of these stakeholders, we can promote digital literacy and encourage the dissemination of accurate information.

Digital Privacy and Surveillance

Balancing national security and individual privacy is a complex issue in the digital age. Data collection and surveillance practices raise ethical concerns that must be addressed. By evaluating the roles and responsibilities of citizens, tech companies, governments, and civil liberties organizations, we can advocate for policies that protect personal freedoms while ensuring security.

Section 7: Civic Discourse and Stakeholder Impacts

Civic Engagement and Voter Participation

Voter turnout and civic engagement are crucial for the health of a democracy. Factors influencing participation, including voter suppression laws, must be critically examined. By analyzing the perspectives of voters, political parties, advocacy groups, and election officials, we can develop strategies to enhance participation and ensure democratic legitimacy.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Businesses have a significant impact on social and environmental issues. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives aim to address these impacts and promote ethical business practices. By critically assessing CSR efforts and considering the perspectives of corporations, consumers, employees, and communities, we can support practices that contribute positively to society.

Conclusion

As global citizens, it is our responsibility to engage in critical thinking and open-minded analysis of contemporary issues. By examining political, social, environmental, and specific challenges faced by the world and the United States, we can develop informed, compassionate, and effective solutions. This chapter encourages us to be free thinkers, committed to making a positive impact on the world around us.

This textbook chapter format aims to foster critical thinking and global citizenship, encouraging students to analyze complex issues with compassion and open-mindedness.

link to current oer resource here!

14. Current Issues 

1. Information Power and Privilege