Contemporary Issues

Course: Contemporary Issues

Expectations

  1. Be on time.  The Millington High tardy policy will be enforced.
  2. Be prepared.  Your book, notebook, and a writing utensil should be brought to class every day.
  3. Act responsibly.  Make wise decisions, for you will be held accountable for your actions.
  4. Demonstrate respect. Towards the teacher, other students, and yourself.

Your behavior should be in line with the following principles at all times:

Honesty, Courtesy, Respect, and Responsibility.

Conversely, I will demonstrate these principles in all of my dealings with students.

Grades

My classes use a total point system.  Homework, classwork, and quizzes will usually carry a value of 20 or 30 points, depending on the length of the assignment. 

Students are required to stay abreast of current events by watching the news, reading newspapers, or listening to news radio.  Weekly news quizzes are a vital part of the grade!

This is a discussion oriented course, and students must demonstrate knowledge of issues by participating in class conversations.  Respecting the views of others is essential.

Research based projects, formal timed debates, and topic analysis count as test grades.

Students are required to keep a notebook for their bellwork, assignments, and class notes. 

Make Up Work

The responsibility for finding out about make up work lies with the student.  Upon returning from an absence, the student should ask the teacher or a reliable classmate about missed work.  The rule for make up work is that one day will be allowed for each day of excused absence, unless other arrangements have been made.

Leaving Class

Students should go to the restroom and get water between classes, students will be allowed to leave class only in the case of emergencies.  Under no circumstance should a student leave class without first obtaining the teachers signature in their agenda book.

Important!

*All electronic devices, including cell phones and MP3 players, are forbidden according to MMS policy.                    *Food and drink are not allowed inside the classroom.  *Students must be dressed in accordance with MMS dress code policy.

Supplies Needed: Pens, Pencils, Colored Pencils, Paper, Notebook.

Contemporary Issues Syllabus

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes


1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy, Oil and the Environment

Make a list of contemporary issues that for students to discuss in the upcoming semester.

Compare and contrast evidence and views about Climate Change.

Consider pros and cons of future energy exploration, including drilling and fracking.

CI.16

CI.30

Classroom guided discussion participation

 

News Quiz 1

 

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes


2

 

 

 

 

 

Energy, Oil and the Environment

Examine pros and cons of federal land management, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Critically consider alternative energy sources, including nuclear, solar, geothermal and wind.
​

CI.16

Classroom guided discussion participation

 

News Quiz 2

 

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes


 

3

 

 

 

Energy, Oil and the Environment

Make a proposal for America to obtain energy independence, explaining pros and cons of energy sources and ramifications on foreign policy objectives.

CI.16

Energy Policy Proposal

 

News Quiz 3

 

Bell-work/Journal 1

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

4

 


 

 

Energy, Oil and the Environment

Identify and explain current crucial environmental issues and the relevant groups and individuals involved in these issues in the United States and globally, including the creation of a media presentation that integrates multiple sources of information on one such issue.
​

CI.11

Project 1

 

News Quiz 4

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes


5

 

 

 

 


 

Foreign Policy

Analyze the role of the US in the War on Terror.

Discuss the proper extent of US involvement in the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

Explore the geopolitical motivations of parties involved in the civil war in Syria.
​

CI.15

CI.13

Classroom guided discussion participation

 

News Quiz 5

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes


6

 

 

 

Foreign Policy

Describe the current relationship issues that the United States has with certain nations, notably Russia, Iran and North Korea.

CI.29

CI.11

Classroom guided discussion participation

 

Bell-work/Journal 2

 

News Quiz 6

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

7

 

 


 

 

Foreign Policy

Describe the main geopolitical issues existing between the Israelis and the Palestinians.


Identify and explain current crucial issues involving US foreign policy and the relevant groups and individuals involved, and create a media presentation that integrates multiple sources of information on one such issue.
​

CI.11

CI.28

Project 2

 

News Quiz 7

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

8

 

 

 


 

Foreign Policy

Identify and explain current crucial issues involving US foreign policy and the relevant groups and individuals involved, and create a media presentation that integrates multiple sources of information on one such issue.

CI.28

CI.11

Project 2 continued

 

News Quiz 8

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes


9


 

Intro to Politics

Identify key differences between political parties in the US.

CI.7

Bellwork 3

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

Our Government

Examine how political parties and individuals influence solutions to society’s problems.

Define sources of government revenues and types of expenditures.

Evaluate the various factors that affect a nation’s economy.

CI.7

CI.18

CI.27

Political Party Platform WS

 

Evaluation of Taxation

 

News Quiz 1

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

Our Government

Identify popular perception of government revenues and expenditures.

Analyze the roles of the individual and the government in promoting the general welfare of the community under the Constitution.

CI.19

CI.23

National Debt/Income Inequality Thinkpiece

 

Welfare Discussion

 

News Quiz 2

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

Equality

Analyze types, patterns, and attitudes regarding discrimination.

Define affirmative action and its justification.

Examine the role that diversity plays in college admission policies.

 

CI.9

CI.31

Affirmative Action Thinkpiece

 

News Quiz 3

 

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 


 

13

 


 

 

Equality

Analyze the debate over the legalization of gay marriage.

Examine an election and analyze it’s results.

CI.26

CI.31

 

Gay Marriage Discussion

 

Election Evaluation

 

News Quiz 4

 

Bellwork 1

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 


 

14

 


 

 

Crime and Punishment

Explore and discuss issues of race as it pertains to law enforcement.

Examine data concerning crime rates, and propose policy solutions for dealing with crime.

Examine incarceration rates, and discuss criminal justice reform.

 

CI.14

CI.13

Crime Proposal

 

News Quiz 5

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

 

15

 

 

 

Crime and Punishment

Assess the effectiveness of the death penalty.

Analyze the issue of gun ownership and control in the United States.

CI.31

 

Death Penalty Debate

 

Gun Control Discussion

 

News Quiz 6

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

 

16

 

 

Rights, Responsibilities, and Freedom

Identify and explain the connection between geography and issues of culture, economics, and politics pertaining to illegal immigration.

Describe the protections offered by the First Amendment and define civil disobedience.

 

CI.16

CI.24

Immigration Thinkpiece

 

First Amendment Discussion

 

News Quiz 7

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes


 

 

17

 


 

Rights, Responsibilities, and Freedom

Examine ethical implications of euthanasia and doctors’ intervention at the end of life.

Compare and contrast views on choice (abortion) for women.

 

Abortion Discussion

 

Bellwork 2

 

News Quiz 8

 

 

Week

Lesson Focus

Weekly Objectives

TN Standards

Assessments

Additional Notes

 

18

 

 

Final Exam

Prepare for the Contemporary Issues Final Exam

 

Final Exam

 

 

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