Contemporary Issues Course Syllabus
Here is a brief overview of my syllabus and classroom norms which have been established through a collaborative effort within the classroom. To view my entire syllabus click here.
Brief Overview
Contemporary Issues Course Description
In this course we will actively explore complex issues in our contemporary society such as politics, energy use, environmental issues and public health. Contemporary Issues is also a course which explores current, arguable topics, such as abortion, gambling, television violence, and affirmative action. Keep in mind that when studying contemporary issues, you must examine both sides in order to make a well-informed argument. This course is not about arguing to see which side is correct; it is about analyzing both sides and understanding the opinions of varying sides when discussing controversial topics.
My role as an educator requires me to not only give you information, but to give you the skills and tools necessary to acquire and decipher information on your own. The study of current events in the classroom is a perfect way for you to practice identifying relevant information, analyzing opposing views, forming opinions, and expressing yourselves clearly. This course is designed to give students a chance to incorporate everything they have learned from previous social science courses into current events, controversial issues, and pop culture, as well as ways to use technology to help develop discussion, debate, and problem-solving skills.
Expectations:
Each student is expected to listen, follow directions, complete all homework/in-class assignments, projects (power-point/movies) and study quizzes/exams. You are also expected to express your opinion and take part in class discussions (i.e. Socratic Seminars). In a discussion class it is imperative that each student be respectful of other student’s comments and listen when others are talking. There should be only one discussion going on at a time! EVERYONE’S OPINION MATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!! If you do all of these items, then you will be successful in the class. The amount of effort you put into the class will determine how successful you will be. We will be having Socratic seminars on a variety of controversial topics, analyzing primary and secondary documents, analyzing weekly newspapers and magazine journals (Time, Newsweek, NatGeo etc.) and watching CNN/CSPAN and having discussions on a variety of topics. You will also be writing weekly journal articles, completing 3-5 research papers and 3-4 major projects.
Resources:
Websites:
Class Materials:
1-You will need a folder preferably a binder with page separators (for handouts).
2- Notebook (have a separate notebook for this class)
3- Pens and Pencils
4-Looseleaf
5- Weekly Newspapers/Newsweek or Time Magazines (dependent on what I require for the week.)
Rules and Procedures:
1. Follow all directions given by the teacher.
2. No profanity will be tolerated.
3. No talking when the teacher is talking.
4. Be prepared with a paper and pen/pencil in the BEGINNING OF CLASS!
5. Respect the opinions of other students by not laughing or denigrating their points of view
6. NO GUM CHEWING or eating/drinking anything in class!!!!!!
7. Shirts must be tucked in.
8. No sagging pants. Pants will be pulled up at all times.
9. Students will respect one another. There is zero tolerance to bullying or horsing around OF ANY SORT. Students will be reprimanded for ANY level of horsing around.
10. You must get to class on time. If you are late, you must have a pass. If you do not have a pass then you will be marked tardy. After so many tardy marks your parents will then receive a phone call.
11. Passes: Students are not allowed to leave the class room during the first fifteen minutes and last fifteen minutes of class. This is a school-wide policy. When you do leave the classroom students must have a pass and it must be signed by the teacher of that class room with the date and time written next to the name. Once you return to the classroom the teacher must sign it again.
12. When you leave, leave in an orderly fashion (chairs pushed in, trash thrown away, all belongings taken with you).
Consequences for tardiness:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Student Conference
3. Conference/Parent Phone Call
4. Lose your ability to use notes on currently scheduled test
Behavior Rewards and Consequences:
Rewards Consequences
1. The most important reward is LEARNING. 1. Warning
2. Verbal Praise 2. Teacher / Student Conference
3. Self-Confidence 3. Call to Parent or Guardian
4. The “Jackpot Reward” 4. Referral to the office***
***Immediate Referrals for profanity, fighting, insubordination, etc.
Grades I do NOT give grades. You must earn your grade in this class.
Grading Scale:
90-100% A The student’s work is exemplary and is completed in a timely and independent manner. The work shows
a high level of understanding or performance.
80%-89% B The student’s work is above average and has been completed in a timely and independent manner. The
work shows a clear level of understanding or performance.
70%-79% C The student’s work is satisfactory and may or may not be completed in a timely/independent manner.
60%-69% D The student’s work barely meets requirements and work is not completed in a timely or independent
manner.
0%-59% F The student’s work does not meet the minimum standards of Or unacceptable understanding or
performance or work is not the student’s personal best
Weight in the Grading Scale:
This is how your assignments will be weighed:
Homework: (Worksheets; Work Packets; Outlines; Notes; Class Discussion) etc…………………………………………………………………………………...…..............................................10%
Participation: (Do Now, Exit Slips, Book Assignments, Journal Articles,
IndependentWork)………………………………………………………..……………......................................15%
Assessments: (Quizzes, Tests, Final Exams, Benchmarks, EOC Exams, Final Exams)……………………………………………………………………………...….........................................................35%
Classwork: (Projects, Presentations, Document Analysis, Research Papers, Essays)………………………………………………………………………………............................................................40%
Click the on link below to view my course syllabus in its entirety:
contemporary_issues_course_syllabus_2019.doc | |
File Size: | 63 kb |
File Type: | doc |