civics & Communications 

IN CLASS

Week 1 (3/13-3/15):

• Review Syllabus, Class Policies, and Class Constitution

• Start work & discussion of Editorial Writing Assignment

Week 2 (3/20-22):

• Class Project News Analysis

  • Should RIers serving long prison terms get a chance at release?

  • How can RI reduce the number of women in prison?

  • Should Rhode Island limit use of solitary confinement?

  • Group calls for addressing racial disparities in RI's criminal justice system. 

• *No class Wed 3/22 (SAT Day)*

Week 3 (3/27-29):

• Editorial Peer workshop

• Hosting a Guest Speaker

• Guest Speaker Questions

• Robinson Testimony

Week 4 (4/3-5):

• Guest speaker in class Mon 4/3

• Guest Speaker Recap: Margy Layton 4/3

Week 5 (4/10-4/12):

• Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing 3/21 (Starting at 2:50)

• Start Persuasive Letter Draft

• Welcome to Generation Citizen

• Guest Speaker Questions for 4/12

*April Vacation 4/17-4/12*

Week 6 (4/24-4/26):

• Step 1 of Podcast Assignment

Week 7 (5/1-5/3):

• ACLU Advocacy 101

• Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing 3/21 (starting at 3:03)

• RI General Assembly

• Voter Information Center

• S0617 and H6161: Solitary Confinement Reform Act

• Continue Podcast Assignment

Week 8 (5/8-5/10):

• Work on class project!

• Study of Mental Health Effects of Solitary

• Talking Points

• Art Show 5/11

Week 9 (5/15-5/17):

• Watch 13th Documentary

Week 10 (5/22-5/24):

• Watch & Discuss "World's Toughest Prisons" episode

• Finish class project

• Voluntary sharing of podcasts

• Class Evaluation

Week 11 (5/31):

• *No class Mon 5/29 (Memorial Day)*

• State House field trip/ tour Wed 5/13 (Be on time!!)

*Trimester Ends 5/31*

HOMEWORK

Due Wednesday 3/15:

• Step 1 of Editorial Writing Assignment

Due Monday 3/20:

• Step 2 of Editorial Writing Assignment (Draft)

*No class Wed 3/22 (SAT Day)*

Due Monday 3/27:

• Be prepared for Step 3 of Editorial Writing Assignment (Peer Workshop)

Due Wednesday 3/29:

• Step 4 of Editorial Writing Assignment (Revision)

Due Monday 4/3:

• Be prepared for guest speaker in class!

Due Monday 4/10:

• Step 5 of Editorial Writing Assignment (Final Revision)

Due Wednesday 4/12:

• Classwide CREDIT DEADLINE for overdue work

*April Vacation 4/17-4/12*

Due Wednesday 4/26:

• Persuasive Letter Draft

Due Monday 5/1:

• Step 2 of Podcast Assignment

Due Wednesday 5/3:

• Step 3 of Podcast Assignment

Due Mon 5/8:

• Revise Persuasive Letter

Due Wednesday 5/10:

• Step 4 of Podcast Assignment (Finish!)

Due Mon 5/15:

• Get signatures on petition!

Due Wednesday 5/17:

• Classwide CREDIT DEADLINE for overdue work

• NY Times Podcast Contest Deadline

Due Mon 5/22:

• 13th Documentary Response

Due Wed 5/31:

• Be on time and ready for State House tour!

• CREDIT DEADLINE for all overdue work

*Trimester Ends 5/31*