CURRENT EVENTS



Current Events Syllabus

Fall 2012 - Mr. Pintar

Voicemail: (248) 623-3767 Email: jrpintar@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Website:

Conference Hour – 1st Hour (7:45 – 8:57 am) – Meetings by appointment

[pic][pic]

Course Description

This class is a general reading and discussion course that focuses on major issues, events, and situations that occur locally, statewide, nationally, and globally. In order to become productive citizens, students must learn how to use nonfiction materials to expand their knowledge base, solve problems, and make decisions. A large body of research supports the use of newspapers and current events as teaching tools. Students will read the Oakland Press, The Detroit News and use computers to get daily information for the class. More than ever, teachers recognize the usefulness and importance of "using the news" and of developing students who have good news reading skills and an awareness of current events. Among the benefits of current events programs:

• Cover a wide range of subjects and connect to all areas of the curriculum.

• Build language, vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem solving, oral expression, and listening skills.

• Develop informed citizens and lifelong newsreaders. Studying current events helps students understand the importance of people, events, and issues in the news; it stimulates students to explore and learn more about the news, and to pay attention to the news they see and hear outside of school.

• Can open up communications between students and parents. Students are often eager to emulate their parents' news reading behaviors, and talking about the news is one way for parents to engage students in adult conversation.

• Offer ideal opportunities for cooperative-group instruction, classroom discussions and debates, purposeful follow-up writing, and much more.

Course Goals and Objectives

The primary goal for this course is to help create better citizens through learning about current issues and topics using a variety of sources.

• Study, discuss and analyze events happening throughout the world today.

• Examine and understand ideology with a specific emphasis in the social studies (government, economics, history, etc…) and the media.

• Research and evaluate the 2012 elections including the candidates and the issues and generate educated opinions based on personal ideology.

• Explore major issues that impact the US and/or world (Ex. Immigration, Arab uprisings).

• Be able to locate on a map the places we are learning about in class.

• Have well thought out discourse and discussion with peers about important global topics.

Grades

I expect you to do your best and ask questions when you do not understand something or have a comment. Your grade will be a combination of participation, homework, tests, projects and journal entries. For your final grade we will have the typical breakdown (80% coursework, 20% final exam).

Classroom Grading Policy

A 100 – 92.5 A- 92.4- 89.5 B+ 89.4 – 86.5 B 86.4 – 82.5

B- 82.4 – 79.5 C+ 79.4 – 76.5 C 76.4 – 72.5 C- 72.4 – 69.5

D+ 69.4 – 66.5 D 66.4 – 62.5 D- 62.4 – 59.5 E 59.4 & below

Website -

You can visit my website by going to the “academics” section then “social studies” from the Clarkston High School website or by directly typing in the URL listed above. There you will find a blog (updated daily with class information), as well as any documents we had from class including this syllabus. Please check the website if you miss any school time so that you can get your missed work.

Class Rules

My rules for the classroom are simple. I expect the utmost respect for your fellow classmates as well as myself while in class. Treat others as you would like to be treated. I expect all students to follow the rules set forth in the student code of conduct. Please do not abuse your bathroom privileges. As juniors and seniors in high school I expect you will use the restroom only when necessary. Too frequently requesting to use the restroom may result in reduced privileges. Please do not have your cell phones out or use them in class unless permission has been granted. Please come prepared everyday with something to write with and a notebook and/or binder dedicated to this class.

Late Work and Test Makeup’s

Late work is not allowed unless you have completed the due date extension form and have had an extension granted by the teacher. This form will be shared in class. In order to get an extension the form must be filled out BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS (not before your class begins).

If you have missed a test or quiz it is up to you to arrange a date/time to make up the missed test or quiz in a reasonable amount of time. You will NOT be allowed to make up your test or quiz during class and will be expected to do this outside of regular class time. Students who miss MULTIPLE DAYS prior to a test will likely be able to make up the test at a later date. Missing one day before a test will not exempt you from test days.

pla·gia·rism [pley-juh-riz-uh[pic]m, -jee-uh-riz-] noun

1. The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work, as by not crediting the author: It is said that he plaigiarized Thoreau’s plagiarism of a line written by Montaigne. Synonyms: appropriation, infringement, piracy, counterfeiting, theft, borrowing, cribbing, passing off.

2. Something used and represented in this manner: Well-respected publishers are developing a sharper eye for plagiarism in submitted manuscripts.

source:

In short, plagiarism will not be tolerated in class and will result in a ZERO for the assignment. Copying assignments or copying pieces of written works, thoughts and ideas without properly crediting the author is plagiarism. If you still have questions please see me in advance of submitting any assignments. Likewise, anyone caught cheating on any tests, quizzes or exams will receive a zero and will not have an opportunity to do any type of retake for that test.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download