COURSE SYLLABUS
TITLE OF COURSE |
Current Issues |
TEACHER’S NAME |
Mr. Buffa
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Course Information
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One semester/One Half Credit
in Social Studies
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Teacher Information
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Room 1109
Planning: 5th or
6th hour
Phone #: 591-5113
E-mail: jbuffa@geneseeisd.org
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Prerequisite(s)
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None
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Course Description and Overview of Content
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Current Issues is a course
focused on examining what is going on throughout the world today. During this
semester we will look at the most recent headlines involving the ongoing
recession, the environment, Israel & Palestine, the U.S. Presidential
Elections, the latest news around Michigan (emergency managers, right to
work, etc.), the Middle East, the War on Terror, as well as any relevant
world news that develops during this course. We will be exploring various
media outlets in order to accomplish this.
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Course Goal/ Intended Outcomes
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1.
By the end of
this course, the student will have a better understanding of the latest
concerns that can be seen around the world.
2.
Students will
learn how to find information using various media outlets.
3.
Students will
develop a better understanding of how problems occurring in other parts of
the world can impact the United States.
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Required Text and Materials
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·
There is no
assigned textbook
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We will search
on-line media sources; listen to NPR/MPR news; watch streaming news programs
in order to stay up-to-date on events that are unfolding throughout the day.
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You must come to
class every day with a binder.
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Binder should
include the following sections:
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Notes
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Returned Work
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Vocabulary
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You must come to
class everyday with a pen and pencil
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Format and Activities
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We will use a variety of
methods to analyze the subject matter.
This will include but is not limited to, lecture, group discussions, individual
research projects, group research projects, blog reports, and weekly quizzes.
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Grading Practices and Procedures
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Students will be graded by
the following breakdown:
30%
Quizzes 10% Daily/Positive In-class
Participation
10% Notes 30%
Projects/Assignments
The Final Exam is worth 20%
of your over all grade!
Any
late work will be marked down by 25% for every day it is past the due
date.
You
will have ample time to do any project, so if you are going to be absent
(excused or unexcused, it does not matter) on the due date, you must turn in
the assignment the day you return to school.
Make
up tests will be given by appointment after school or at some other arranged
time within one (1) week of the quiz.
Quizzes not made up within one week will receive a zero.
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Attendance/ Tardiness
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Absences: You
are expected to be in class everyday.
If you are absent for a legitimate reason you need to bring in a note
to the office to get it excused.
You must be in your assigned seat when the bell
begins to ring. The third tardy and
every tardy there after that will result in a loss of points (see handbook).
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Classroom Rules and Procedures
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As well as the guidelines in
the Student Handbook, I expect that we follow these simple rules:
1.
Stay on task
(work, don’t talk)
2.
Bring the
required materials
3.
Always be
Respectful to the classroom, other people’s property, yourself, and me.
4.
If food/drinks
become an issue then they will not be allowed in the classroom. They are a
privilege not a right!
5.
Use of a cell
phone in class is not allowed (see handbook).
6.
Use of Ipods or
other music playing devices are not allowed unless otherwise approved.
7.
If you use a
laptop during class you may only look at sites related to the class. You will
be asked to shut down your computer if found to be on websites not related to
the class.
These simple rules will be
enforced and added to if necessary!
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Academic Integrity
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Plagiarism, copying, cheating or being an accessory
to plagiarism, copying, or cheating will NOT be tolerated and a Zero will be given to all parties with
no chance of make up.
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Other Comments |
REMEMBER:
Everyone
has choices. You are responsible and
will be held accountable for your choices.
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