Sunday, Dec. 7
7-8 p.m. E/P

CBS

Subjects: Science and World History

Middle and High School

"60 Minutes"

This news magazine contains a double length report entitled "The Oil Kingdom". Despite the pledge of President-elect Barack Obama and others to lessen America's use of foreign oil, Saudi Arabia - the world's largest oil supplier --isn't worried. That's what Saudi officials told Lesley Stahl when she visited the oil kingdom and toured its vast petroleum facilities, which are gearing up to produce even more.

Sunday, Dec. 7
9-11 p.m. E/P

HBO

Subjects: World History and Geography

High School

"House OF Saddam"

Saddam Hussein was the most vilified dictator of our current generation, a ruthless schemer whose desire to impose his will on Iraq and its neighbors led to two wars with the U.S., and finally, his capture and execution. This broadcast includes parts 1 and 2 of a dramatic miniseries which reveals the private world of the Iraqi dictator and his inner circle. TV Rated MA (for mature audiences, includes adult language, adult content, violence) Parts 3 and 4 air in this timeslot December 14.

For information and times of repeat airings - http://www.hbo.com/films/houseofsaddam/index.html

Monday, Dec. 8
9-10 p.m. E/P

Science Channel

Subjects: Science

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Ecopolis: Hungry City"

This is the initial episode of a new six-part series in which Nobel Prize winning scientist Dr. Daniel Kammen uses the blue-print of a city in 2050 as a test bed for new technologies that could reshape the environmental circumstances of the future megacity. Each episode investigates several different visionary, technology-driven solutions to specific future megacity challenges, including: producing enough food and water; finding clean and reliable energy sources; reducing our reliance on oil for transportation; discovering new ways to manage waste; and, increasing the energy efficiency of city buildings.I This episode is entitled "Hungry City". As things work today, food travels 1,500 miles on average to reach consumers. By 2050, food will have to travel even further to cities - amassing more and more carbon emissions - and water will be in short supply. Dr. Kammen explores the four future-forward technologies of urban farming, methane capture, sound powered refrigeration and recycling water to help reduce the risk of a food and water crisis in the cities of tomorrow.

Log on http://science.discovery.com/tv/ecopolis/ecopolis.html

Tuesday, Dec. 9
10-11 p.m. E/P

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"National Geographic Explorer: Guns in America"

The United States is the most heavily armed society in the world, with approximately 90 guns for every 100 citizens. This documentary follows a Philadelphia policeman returning to the job after being shot on duty. It also asks why a young mother is considering becoming one of the approximately 80 million Americans who own a gun.

Log on www.natgeotv.com/explorer

Wednesday, Dec. 10
8-9 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Science and Geography

Middle and High School

"Emperors Of The Ice"

In the windswept, hostile environment of Antarctica, scientists Jerry Kooyman and Paul Ponganis of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography embark on an adventure of science and survival. Using Crittercam technology, they hitch a ride with the majestic emperor penguin to go places only penguins have gone before - under the massive Ross Ice Shelf. Crittercam - a revolutionary animal-borne research tool that records images, sound and data from an animal's perspective - allows researchers, scientists and filmmakers to gather data about behavior and habitats that humans cannot otherwise observe. TV-PG

Thursday, Dec. 11
9-10 p.m. E/P

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: Science

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Journey to the Edge of the Universe"

In one single, epic camera move this documentary journeys from looking at two people studying the night sky, accelerates up through the atmosphere, past the moon and neighboring planets, and out of our solar system, to the stars, galaxies and beyond. Traveling all the way to the edge of the universe itself, it goes on a grand tour of the cosmos, to explore newborn stars, distant planets, black holes and galaxies beyond. With the help of the world's largest telescope and cinema-quality CGI, it goes to the edge of time to visualize the powers that forge and constantly renew the universe.

Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/journey-to-the-edge-of-the-universe-3023/Overview

Thursday, Dec. 11
10-11 p.m. ET, 7-8 p.m. PT

CNBC

Subjects: World History and Economy

High School

"The Russian Gamble"

Russia is reeling from the global financial crisis: its stock markets plunging, its currency on the brink. The drop in oil prices means the world's second largest oil exporter - recently rich - is now in the red. How will America end up paying? Will financial crisis turn into political and military instability? Will Russia be the first big test for President-Elect Barack Obama? This news documentary is a report from Moscow by Erin Burnett.

Program scenes also available via streaming video at http://video.aol.com/partner/cnbc/the-russian-gamble/00P8haztF2kdKedYtRdGj270U6Vo9UJF/?icid=VIDURVBUS11

Friday, Dec. 12
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Arts and World History

Middle and High School

"How Art Made The World: More Human Than Human"

This is part one of a five-part documentary about the biggest turning points in art history and how these define what we see around us today. It's the story of how, over 100,000 years, the human spirit has conquered obstacles to reach extraordinary heights of imagination and creativity. This episode asks what is it about art that makes it a central part of being human? The answer lies in the ancient origins of art created thousands of years ago. TV-PG. Series continues Fridays in this timeslot.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld

Saturday, Dec. 13
10-11:30 p.m. E/P

Sundance Channel

Subjects: English Literature and U.S. History

Middle and High School

"Shakespeare Behind Bars"

Each year, inmates at the Luther Luckett Correctional Facility in Kentucky take on a difficult and challenging task: the production and performance of a Shakespeare play. This documentary by Hank Rogerson follows rehearsals for "The Tempest" - a story heavy on the theme of redemption - as the cast, some serving life sentences for murder, develops their chosen roles, giving the audience an unexpected view of some complex, intelligent, thoughtful men in the process. Rated TV-14

Log on http://www.shakespearebehindbars.com