zubaishmushtaq

Please visit the websites of three news sources:

• National Enquirer  (

• New York Post  (

• The New York Times  (http://www.nytimes.com/)

After reviewing the front page of each of the websites, consider each of the following questions below:

• Which of the three would be considered the "hard" news outlet?

• What are the "headline" stories of each of the three news sources?

• Which of the three is focused almost entirely on entertainment and celebrity news?

• Which of the three uses a "sensational" or "shocking" headline to draw attention? What is that headline?

• Where do you feel mainstream television media falls in this spectrum?  Can you think of different examples of television news programs that align roughly with the three examples posted above?

• Do you feel mainstream media has a responsibility to be more objective and investigative in their journalistic styles than other media outlets?  Why or why not?

• Do you feel that mainstream media sensationalizes the news in any way?  If so, what impact do you feel it has and does it matter?

After reviewing the front page of each of the websites, consider each of the following questions below:

• Which of the three would be considered the "hard" news outlet?

• What are the "headline" stories of each of the three news sources?

• Which of the three is focused almost entirely on entertainment and celebrity news?

• Which of the three uses a "sensational" or "shocking" headline to draw attention? What is that headline?

• Where do you feel mainstream television media falls in this spectrum?  Can you think of different examples of television news programs that align roughly with the three examples posted above?

• Do you feel mainstream media has a responsibility to be more objective and investigative in their journalistic styles than other media outlets?  Why or why not?

• Do you feel that mainstream media sensationalizes the news in any way?  If so, what impact do you feel it has and does it matter?

• What are some examples of how grassroots activists communicate with citizens for support?

• Have you ever been contacted by a grassroots political or social activist group?

• Did you aid or even join the group?

• What was the goal or initiative of the activist group?

• What are some examples of social or political change you would like to support in your community?

• Are there any examples of activism that you have seen or experienced that you disagree with? Why?

• Which forms of activism do you feel are the most effective and why?

The protests of American college and high school students over the Vietnam War, the draft, racial segregation and other social and economic issues changed and developed American perception and law regarding the First Amendment.  In the 1960s and 1970s, popular culture reflected the tension felt throughout the nation.

• What were some of the social differences that seemed to foster the conflict of the 1960s and 1970s? Were they economic, political, racial, and/or religious?

• How do you think these conflicts reflected the issue of the common good vs. individual rights?

• Which lines from the Constitution were drawn upon to support the protests?

• Discuss an issue that you see leading to civil strife in the country today that reflects the debate of the common good vs. individual rights.

• What side are you on? Why? How does the Constitution support your argument?