Specialized Sociology Search and Resources

16+ hour, 58+ min ago (500+ words) Nowhere is the massive void in critical thinking skills more obvious than in the political arena, which thrives on low information, nonthinking voters. A thoughtful review of sources and facts is a threat to those who seek complete control of the voting populace. Repressive regimes view critical thinking as a significant threat to their stability and control and actively work to suppress it. Critical thinking is about "how to think," not "what to think" and based on past and current failures in grasping this concept, we need an all-out effort to educate and develop these skills. The current Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards from the Texas Education Agency emphasize skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. But what are the methods currently employed to effectively teach these skills and are there verifiable successful outcomes? As a former educator at…...

1+ day, 8+ hour ago (219+ words) Pat McGravey goes over a lesson as he teaches a civics class at North Andover Middle School. McGravey won the Edward M. Kennedy Institute Award for "Civics in Action." Pat McGravey teaches "Civics in Action." The walls in Pat McGravey's civics class at North Andover Middle School are covered with historical memorabilia. Pat McGravey won the Edward M. Kennedy Institute Award for his civics in action teaching at North Andover Middle School. Retired Central Catholic High School teacher Leo McCue, center, in the classroom of former student and current North Andover Middle School civics teacher Patrick McGravey, left, and his former students Mariah Eskel, Mehak Sankhla, Parker Dubman, Keshav Mahadevan and Sreejith Krishnaa. Teacher Pat McGravey talks with his students after a civics class at North Andover Middle School. McGravey goes over a lesson. The bulletin board in Pat McGravey's civics class....

2+ day, 16+ hour ago (335+ words) Published 3:00 pm Thursday, December 4, 2025 A man convicted of six counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the 2007 Surrey Six slayings has now also been found guilty of contempt of court. Cody Rae Haevischer is seeking a judicial stay of proceedings related to the murders based on abuse of process. The evidentiary hearing for that commenced on Nov. 4, 2024 and remains underway. Justice Martha Devlin on December 3 found him guilty of contempt of court, in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster. Matthew Johnston, also found guilty of six counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, joined Haevischer in the stay of proceedings application but has since died. "Mr. Haevischer's stated reason for refusing the Court's direction was that answering the questions would violate the "inmate code,' which according to Mr. Haevischer prohibits "ratting' on fellow…...

2+ day, 17+ hour ago (808+ words) Aurora Christian School may be known for its athletic programs, but in November much of the excitement in the hallways centered around a nerdier display of strategy and competition. For the past 11 years, ever since Jerry Baker arrived at Aurora Christian, this veteran government teacher has been conducting a mock Congress where, for two days, all seniors take on the role of our country's leaders as they try to pass laws that, in the end, will help them better understand how our government works. It is a "very big deal," says Aurora Christian Principal Collette House, who has a front row seat at how much work " and passion " goes into the event recently held over two days at the school. House, like many educators across the nation, is well aware how civics has been watered down in schools, with courses…...

3+ day, 10+ hour ago (197+ words) Bill C-225 would see that all domestic violence killings would be treated as first-degree murder It was a unanimous decision in the House of Commons. Members of Parliament gave a standing ovation following Bailey's Law passing second reading on Dec. 3. Kamloops MP Frank Caputo introduced Bailey's Law, Bill C-225, to the House of Commons as a private members' bill on Sept. 18. In the bill, all domestic violence killings would be treated as first-degree murder. The law is named after Bailey McCourt, a Kelowna woman who was killed by her estranged ex-husband James Plover after a violent daytime attack on July 4. Plover initially faced charges of second-degree murder, but the charges were upgraded to first degree murder on Nov. 25. "I want to thank Bailey's family" for their tireless advocacy pushing these major changes that are both possible and necessary. I also want to…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago (51+ words) Breaking news and analysis on politics, business, world, national news, entertainment and more. In-depth DC, Virginia, Maryland news coverage including traffic, weather, crime, education, restaurant reviews and more. Ira Sachs" film "Peter Hujar"s Day" leads the Film Independent Spirit Award nominations with five nods, including best feature and director...

4+ day, 20+ hour ago (770+ words) Elizabeth Metts is a 9th grade history teacher, team leader and teaching fellow mentor at Excel Academy Charter High School in East Boston. She is a 2025-26 Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellow. What's another word that ends with "-cracy? Think about the type of government we have in America." I prompted Vanessa with this question during a review session before our 9th grade world history exam on ancient bureaucracies. She smiled in that way students do when they're so close " her glasses caught the light, the gears turned, the silence stretched " but the word never surfaced. Vanessa was one of the first students in our state to take the new Civics Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test as an 8th grader last spring " and one of only 39% of students statewide who passed it." Yet, in my high school course, she couldn't recall that the United…...

5+ day, 15+ hour ago (275+ words) TheWrap Screening Series: George Sikharulidze talks about his coming-of-age drama that is being released during a difficult time for his country Surveillance can take on many forms, and they're only getting more numerous. Governments, religions and social media can all lead to the feeling "or the reality " that we're being watched, with significant consequences. "The crucial part is it's sort of like there's a power that can exercise this power without being present," he said. "For me, that is, in a way, a definition about how religion works." "Panopticon" follows an 18-year-old boy whose father leaves to become a monk in an Orthodox Christian monastery, leaving his son with a parting thought: that God is all-seeing and all-knowing. The central character Sandro is played by Data Chachua, a new young actor Sikharulidze called "tireless." Sikharulidze said his selection as Georgia's…...

5+ day, 17+ hour ago (701+ words) Rick Smith, left, gives Danny Neal a hug during an Oct. 30 ceremony renaming the Flagstaff High School football after Smith. Flagstaff Unified School district Superintendent Mike Penca holds a framed collection of letterman patches from the four state championship wins that Rick Smith's Flagstaff High School football teams won during his tenure as head coach. Rick Smith stands in front of the scoreboard of the Flagstaff High School football field before a naming ceremony on Oct. 30. Community members gather for a ceremony Oct. 30 to name the Flagstaff High School football field in honor of former Eagles football coach Rick Smith. Rick Smith speaks during a ceremony in late October naming the Flagstaff High School football field in honor of him. The field that hosts football practices, soccer matches and flag football games at Flagstaff High School officially has a new…...

6+ day, 2+ hour ago (578+ words) DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization advocating for reducing nighttime light pollution, named Flagstaff its Dark Sky Place of the Year for 2025. "This recognition follows more than six decades of intentional stewardship of the city's night skies, beginning when Flagstaff created the world's first outdoor lighting ordinance in 1958," a city press release stated. With the project considered to be more than halfway done according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the Interstate 17 wildlife overpass south of Flagstaff has paused constru" Read moreADOT halting construction of I-17 wildlife overpass for the winter DarkSky International named Flagstaff its Dark Sky Place of the Year for 2025. Read moreFlagstaff wins Dark Sky Place of the Year Markets will offer'opportunities for residents and visitors to shop locally for items created by artists and crafters from around the area. Read moreHoliday markets scheduled around Flagstaff from Dec....