Timely Topics in Freedom
(McCormick Foundation Civics Program)
Timely Topics in Freedom is a teacher seminar series presented by the
McCormick Foundation Civics Program that addresses a variety of First Amendment
and freedom-related issues. Through the series, the museum strives to
underscore the contemporary, personal and societal relevance of the First
Amendment, and the role it plays in an ongoing struggle to define freedom.
The Timely Topics in Freedom series focuses on complex, controversial
topics that directly impact students’ lives. At each seminar, participants learn
with content experts about the historical and political contexts of each issue.
Teachers also receive a corresponding lesson plan and classroom resources
to support instruction and make content accessible to students. Every lesson
plan is centered around an open-ended critical engagement question that
encourages students to interpret and discuss multiple perspectives in order
to develop their own reasoned positions. The lesson plan also features
recommended extensions that provide opportunities for authentic civic
engagement. Recent seminars have included To Keep and Bear Arms: An
Individual or Collective Right? and What is an American? An Immigration
Policy Seminar.
Since 2006, over 350 middle and high school teachers from throughout
the Chicago area have participated in seminars presented by the McCormick Foundation.