Contemporary Issues

If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.  
- John F. Kennedy

Course Overview:

      This course for the Upward Bound Program will focus heavily on the events of today.  The intent of the course is to provide the student with the basic background and foundational information to help one understand the world that we live in today.  It will examine various social, political, economic, religious, and cultural events in different countries and regions in order to better comprehend multiple perspectives on the world today.  There will be a major focus on studying current events (their origins and causes) and trying to come up with solutions or predicting outcomes to those events.

      This course will utilize an interdisciplinary approach in that it will require critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. Students will be immersed in a daily lesson framework that encompasses higher order thinking. The lesson framework involves extension beyond the text through various activities that might include debate, discussion, writing, reorganizing, or otherwise manipulating the ideas that were confronted in the reading. Students will meet in small groups and as a whole class to construct meaning from the text. The teacher acts as a facilitator for the higher order thinking that will allow students to perform synthesis of information with what they already knew before the lesson, analysis of new ideas, application-level thinking as to how what they have learned might work in the real world or under other circumstances, or even evaluation of the authors' underlying intent. It is through such higher order thinking that students develop more complete understandings about new content. It is also through such practice in higher order thinking that students develop the skills and abilities to perform these tasks on their own as independent life-long learners.

Essential Supplies:

•  Pen/Pencil: a writing utensil is required every day, ALL assignments are required to be in pencil, typed, or in BLUE or BLACK ink

•  Notebook: a notebook used exclusively for assignments and notes is required

•  “Question of the Day” Notebook: a notebook used exclusively for the Question of the Day is required

Grading Procedure:

      This class will personify a differentiated instructional course. Grades will de determined from various assessments, including student participation, written reviews, two exams (mid-term and final) and several writing and literacy based assignments. Grades will be determined each by totaling the number of points earned by the student and dividing by total points possible. Bonus points may be awarded sporadically, but I will accept no extra work for bonus points. There are no curves or weights applied to grades. Percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole point. Letter grades will then be determined according to the school grading scale (see student handbook).

Educational Philosophy of Course:  

      I believe each student can succeed in this or any other course. The Social Studies is a dynamic and interesting subject. It, more than any other discipline, is about you and I. This course will include a variety of teaching styles. Students will work in groups, listen to lectures, generate their own notes, discuss ideas, create graphic organizers, speak in front of the class, utilize the internet, write constructed responses, read at least four books and complete Reading Workshop responses, write a Goal Statement, and read an extensive amount of primary and secondary source material. I work very hard at making the material interesting and engaging for each student. 

Course Syllabus and Quarterly Objectives:  

      The following topics are a tentative schedule of areas of study we will be discussing during the course of the year.

Governmental Issues…

•  Gun control 

•  War on terror

•  US role in the world community

Social/Cultural Issues…

•  Immigration

•  Climate change and environmental issues

•  Racism/stereotypes/discrimination

…and others selected by the students

Major Course Goals:  

Students will successfully: 

•  Utilize prediction as an effective reading strategy

•  Assess given historical problems and use comprehensive analysis to determine effective resolutions

•  Evaluate the accuracy of information and reliability of sources

•  Recognize and practice academic honesty and integrity in academic work

•  Analyze the evolution of American democracy, its ideas, institutions, and political process

•  Describe the purposes and structure of laws and government

Major Course Projects:  

       This course will emphasize writing, research, and the delivery of information.

      Assignments will be very specific as to how students should respond to each question. Most questions require paragraph responses utilizing complete sentences and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

      Students will be required to write down and answer a “Question of the Day' each class period at the beginning of the hour.

      Students will be required to create various written assessments ranging from constructed responses to short research papers. 
 
 
 
 
 

WRITING A "MY TURN" PERSONAL ESSAY

Select a current national or global issue that has been discussed, in depth, on the Newshour .

After watching the program or reading the transcript, write a "My Turn" essay expressing your personal feelings about the subject. Use the following activities to help you prepare for the essay. The essay should be typed or written neatly and be approximately 500-600 words.

This sheet is to be attached to the completed essay.

1. What is the issue: ____________________________ 
2. What is the source of information on this issue:_____________________ 
3. What are the major facts relating to this issue?

 
4. What are your opinions and feelings about this issue and how do they impact your interpretation of the facts?

 
5. How do you think this issue impacts your community? Your country? The World?

 
6. What do you think the future significance of this issue will be?

 
7. What is the main idea of your essay?

 
8. List supporting arguments and/or details for your position.

 
9. What will be the attention-grabbing lead of your essay?

 
10. What will be the conclusion of your essay?