High-Drama Trials That Changed the Course of History [] Lifelong Learning Program at the Instituto Allende

The three trials addressed in this series take us from the 19th century to the 21st, from Oscar Wilde in England, to Roe v. Wade in the U.S., and finally to Canada for Carter v. Canada.  Dealing with issues of sexuality, race, abortion and death, these were trials that forced societies to look at themselves through a legal lens and to ask the question: «Could we do better?»  During the course you will learn about why these trials happened, who the major players were, why the outcome was what it was, and how the world changed because of the court’s ruling.  We will talk about why advances were made and about some of the continuing challenges these issues present.  Classes will include lectures, videos, and discussion.  Sylvia Solomon is a retired educator with over thirty years of teaching experience in elementary schools, secondary schools, and several universities including the University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, York University, and Queen’s University.  She has also lectured at the Instituto Allende in Mexico and the 92ndStreet Y in New York City. The last fourteen years of her career she worked at the Ontario Ministry of Education, developing curriculum policy and resources that changed teaching and learning in Ontario. Her focus has always been social justice in education.