Course Information

COURSE SYLLABUS

TITLE OF COURSE	Current Issues
TEACHER’S NAME	Mr. Buffa
Course Information	One semester/One Half Credit in Social Studies
Teacher Information	Room 1109 Planning: 5th or 6th hour Phone #:  591-5113 E-mail:  jbuffa@geneseeisd.org
Prerequisite(s)	None
Course Description and Overview of Content	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.
Course Goal/ Intended Outcomes	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.
Required Text and Materials	·         There is no assigned textbook ·         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. ·         You must come to class every day with a binder. ·         Binder should include the following sections: ·         Notes ·         Returned Work ·         Vocabulary ·         You must come to class everyday with a pen and pencil
Format and Activities	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.
Grading Practices and Procedures	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.
Attendance/ Tardiness	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).
Classroom Rules and Procedures	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!
Academic Integrity	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.
Other Comments	REMEMBER:  Everyone has choices.  You are responsible and will be held accountable for your choices.

Current Issues Pacing Guide/Topics (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

**Each week will culminate with a 10 pt quiz over topics discussed for a total of 60 pts by the end of the semester towards your test grade.

**There will be various mini assignments/projects to be completed each week that will be attached to your note check &/or project grades. You be periodically asked to post assignments to the class blog.

**The class will culminate with a 45 pt final that recaps topics discussed over the course of the semester.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Week 32 (4/25 – 4/27): Pre-Test; Course Syllabus; Pacing Guide; Blog & Googledocs Set Up; Media Bias Discussion

·         Take Current Issues Pre-Test

·         Discuss Course Syllabus & Pacing Guide

·         Students will sign up to be part of the class blog

·         Set up Googledocs account

·         Begin discussion on media bias

Week 33 (5/1 – 5/4): Media Bias; Recession – U.S. & World

·         Continue media bias discussion

o    What to look out for

o    Find examples of media bias (5 pts)

§  Share examples on class blog

·         Fiscal Policy

o    Expansionary vs. contractionary

·         U.S. issues with the budget

o    Deficit & debt

·         Economic Recovery Assignment (30 pts)

o    Posted on class blog site

o    Due 5/7

·         Quiz on media bias & recession (10 pts)

Week 34 (5/7 – 5/11): U.S. Republican Primary & Presidential Elections

·         Examine the election process

·         What are the major issues?

·         Explore the remaining candidates

o    Groups will contribute to class Googledoc highlighting views on assigned candidate (10 pts)

o    Due 5/9

·         Electoral College Debate (20 pts)

·         Quiz on Elections (10 pts)

Week 35 (5/14 – 5/18 **5/18 = ½ day): Middle East

·         Where in the World?

·         War on Terror (Iraq & Afghanistan)

·         War on Terror Blog Post

o    What type of foreign policy should the U.S. adopt? According to this policy should the U.S. be involved still in Afghanistan? Why or why not? (5 pts)

·         Recent Issues – Egypt, Libya, Syria

o    Paired research (10 pts)

§  What occurred/is occurring?

§  Why did it occur?

·         Quiz on Middle East (10 pts)

Week 36 (5/21 – 5/25): Israel, Palestine, Iran, & U.S.

·         Group research on region – contribute to class prezi presentation (20 pts)

o    Due 5/24/12

·         Promises video

·         Quiz on Israel, Palestine, Iran, & U.S. (10 pts)

Week 37 (5/29 – 6/1): Russia, China, North Korea, & U.S. Relations

·         Relations throughout history

·         Jigsaw on-going negotiations (5 pts)

o    Positive

o    Negative

·         Quiz on Russia, China, North Korea & U.S. Relations (10 pts)

Week 38 (6/4 – 6/8): Environment

·         What is global warming?

o    Research on global warming – must identify opposing arguments

o    Blog post (15 pts) – based on research is global warming real or imaginary? Natural or man-made? Must persuade audience using facts from research.

·         What does/has the U.S. done to protect environment?

o    Progressive Era Presidents

o    EPA

o    Blog post: Locate two U.S. environmental laws – briefly summarize the law and discuss why you think it is good or not. (5 pts)

·         Great Lakes vs. Asian Carp debate

o    To shut down the locks or to not shut down the locks… that is the question… (10 pts)

·         Quiz on Environment (10 pts)

Week 39 (6/11 – 6/14 **6/14 = ½ day & last day of school):

·         Prepare for final on Tuesday

·         Final (Tuesday 6/12/11) (45 pts)

·         Wednesday will be local news day

·         Thursday – Staff vs. Student Kickball

o    Outcome… Staff will win!