Major world developments and regional and international crises are commonplace in historical and contemporary society, but it is rare that students (or non-specialists generally) who seek to understand them have the needed background knowledge to undertake a critical appraisal. All students can -- and should -- become an integral part of a rich dialogue that critically examines, from wide-ranging viewpoints, the unresolved questions in historical and contemporary social and cultural experience. An understanding of the cultural, geographic and historical context is necessary to undertake such appraisals, as is knowledge of the questions or issues being debated by leaders, policy makers, interest groups, and concerned citizens. Students need strategies for evaluating evidence that supports alternative positions; for examining the options evenhandedly from their own and others' viewpoints; and for participating in the development of a broad consensus about what goals their leaders should pursue and what approaches they should use to achieve them.

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