Two articles in this week's issue of Newsweek focus on Africa-one on the wars in Congo, the other on efforts to combat AIDS. The cover story looks at medicine used to treat high cholesterol, while economics writer Robert Samuelson argues that the Supreme Court erred by not ruling on free-speech case involving Nike. Students explore these topics through three themes: Technology and Society; The Role of the United States Abroad; and Economics.

1. This week's cover story, "You Want Statins With That?" (pages 48-55) reports that medical research has led to the creation of drugs that lower cholesterol. Medical technologies bring about many changes, some of which have been predicted, some of which are unexpected. List the anticipated and unanticipated consequences of statins. Then make a web that shows the anticipated and unanticipated consequences of five other technological breakthroughs: the steam engine, the revolver, pesticides, X-rays, and the Internet. Based on your web, make a short presentation in which you: a) make a general statement about what happens when new technologies are introduced, and b) recommend the steps that you believe should be taken when new technologies become available.

2. Developing medical technologies is one thing; making sure they get where they're needed is another. "Hope for Africa" (pages 24-28) reports that while medical breakthroughs have made HIV survivable in the United States and Europe, they have barely made a dent in the AIDS crisis in Africa. What has inhibited the spread of medical interventions into Africa? What may now encourage their spread? Answer these questions with a flow chart that shows how AIDS medicine reached a dead end before it got to Africa, and also shows the steps that will make it possible for the medicine to get there now.

1. "Wars Without End" (pages 28-31) describes the desperate situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the article says, "Americans have been involved-directly or indirectly-at nearly every stage of the country's disintegration." As a class, make a timeline that starts with the Cold War. On the timeline, identify the actions the United States has and has not taken that have affected Congo. Discuss what the United States should do now regarding the crisis there. In your discussion, address the role the United States has already played, the responsibility the United States has or doesn't have to troubled countries, and factors that would support or impede action. Come to an agreement about what U.S. policy in Congo should be.

2. In contrast to "Wars Without End," "Hope for Africa" (pages 24-28) describes reasons for optimism in Africa. Again the question arises: What role, if any, should the United States play? Divide the class into groups. Give each group one of the following topics: President Bush's new AIDS initiative; the MTCT-Plus program; actions taken or to be taken by Bill Clinton's HIV/AIDS Treatment Consortium; and AIDS-related programs funded by the Gates Foundation. Have each group report its findings to the rest of the class. Make a chart that identifies each program and its effects. As a class, decide which programs seem to be the best, and what makes them the best. Brainstorm ideas for other avenues that might be pursued, exploring what each might provide that is currently lacking.

1. Newsweek columnist Robert J. Samuelson is upset by the Supreme Court's decision not to rule on the recent case involving Nike. Read "The Tax on Free Speech" (page 41). With a partner, discuss the following: What did the California Supreme Court mean by "commercial speech"? How does it differ from other kinds of speech? What does Robert Samuelson fear will happen if the distinction continues to be made? Divide the class into two teams and debate the case presented to the Supreme Court. Gather information for the debate by doing Internet research about the case.

2. "You Want Statins With That?" (pages 48-55) reports that pharmaceutical companies have made a lot of money from statins. They have also spent a lot of money advertising. A great deal of medical research is undertaken by pharmaceutical companies-which stand to make a lot of money if their research succeeds and they are able to sell new medications. Make a political cartoon that comments on the relationship between the search for medical breakthroughs and the search for profits.

"African Journey" (pages 26-27) shows the five countries President Bush will visit this week, as well as the HIV infection rate. What effect does juxtaposing the president's itinerary with information about the AIDS epidemic have on you as a reader? Write a letter to the editor of Newsweek in which you state and explain your answer.

Then add information from "Wars Without End" to the graphic. You may do so either by adding to the map of Africa on pages 26-27, or by adding another element to the graphic, such as another map, a timeline, or a graph.

Two articles this week offer perspectives on Africa. Read "Hope for Africa" (pages 24-28) and "Wars Without End" (pages 28-31). Write a letter to a friend in which you explain why you are optimistic and/or pessimistic about what is taking place on that continent.

By Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Reprinted with permission.

1. In order to understand this cartoon, you need to be familiar with the people in it. Who are Lester Maddox and Strom? If you're not sure, look in last week's edition of Newsweek (July 7, page 12). What do the two of them have in common?
2. Who is behind the podium? What is the significance of the Afro comb?
3. This cartoon, in effect, gives a scene from a larger story. What do you think will happen next to Strom and Lester?
4. Write a one-liner that shows either Strom or Lester's reaction to the information about the comb. Share it with a partner.
5. What is the cartoonist saying about Strom's and Lester's views?

The following words appear in this week's Newsweek. Have students use context clues to determine a definition for each word, and then confirm their guesses using a dictionary. Definitions are included for teacher use.

rampant (in full sway)
"Poverty and food shortages are rampant." (page 26)

touted (proclaimed, praised highly)
"The president is not known for his interest in global health or poverty, but he has recently touted the five-year initiative with the zeal of a convert." (page 26)

benchmark (reference point)
heralds (ushers in)
"The Bush program may not reach that benchmark - the actual funding levels are subject to congressional whim-but the measure itself heralds a new era in AIDS control." (page 26)

viable (feasible)
"Until recently, few experts considered treatment a viable strategy for a continent where 30 million people are infected with HIV and many lack even the most basic health services." (page 26)

burgeoning (growing)
"Launched last year with $50 million in foundation grants, the initiative is still too young to count as a success, but it marks one of the boldest attacks yet on Africa's burgeoning orphan crisis." (page 27)

catalyst (something that causes change)
"But whatever its shortcomings, the Bush plan should serve as a catalyst for action-and it's not the only cause for encouragement." (page 28)

interim (temporary or provisional)
"Its president leads a shaky interim government, and much of the country is under the sway of competing militias-following a five-year grab by Congo's neighbors for riches and influence." (page 29)

scourges (afflictions, calamities)
benevolence (good will)
"The billions that the Bush administration has newly appropriated to fight AIDS and other scourges can effectively showcase American benevolence." (page 29)

ameliorated (improved)
"They can't be solved, or even ameliorated, with money or aid alone." (page 29)

atone (to make up for, to make amends)
"As if to atone for its lapse, Washington then rushed to support the new Rwandan government dominated by Tutsis, primary targets of the genocide." (page 29)

purported (claimed)
"A Congolese source last week displayed photocopies of what were purported to be official documents, intended to back up an offer in Bukavu of nine kilograms of "superior quality" uranium." (page 31)

pretext (excuse, pretence)
imperils (endangers)
curb (restrain)
"The latest pretext imperils free speech, but the Supreme Court-out of intellectual laziness or reckless indifference-has unwisely given trial lawyers the power to curb and to tax free speech." (page 41)

daunting (discouraging, overwhelming)
"Finally, companies that ended up in court might face a daunting standard of proof-not whether what they said was true, but whether it might be misleading." (page 41)

caveats (cautions, warnings)
"There are a few caveats, however." (page 55)