Course: Contemporary Issues
Expectations
- Be on time. The Millington High tardy policy will be enforced.
- Be prepared. Your book, notebook, and a writing utensil should be brought to class every day.
- Act responsibly. Make wise decisions, for you will be held accountable for your actions.
- 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
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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1
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Energy, Oil and the Environment
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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.
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CI.16
CI.30
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Classroom guided discussion participation
News Quiz 1
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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2
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Energy, Oil and the Environment
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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.
​
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CI.16
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Classroom guided discussion participation
News Quiz 2
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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3
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Energy, Oil and the Environment
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Make a proposal for America to obtain energy independence, explaining pros and cons of energy sources and ramifications on foreign policy objectives.
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CI.16
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Energy Policy Proposal
News Quiz 3
Bell-work/Journal 1
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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4
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Energy, Oil and the Environment
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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.
​
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CI.11
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Project 1
News Quiz 4
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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5
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Foreign Policy
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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.
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CI.15
CI.13
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Classroom guided discussion participation
News Quiz 5
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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6
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Foreign Policy
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Describe the current relationship issues that the United States has with certain nations, notably Russia, Iran and North Korea.
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CI.29
CI.11
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Classroom guided discussion participation
Bell-work/Journal 2
News Quiz 6
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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7
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Foreign Policy
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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.
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CI.11
CI.28
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Project 2
News Quiz 7
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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8
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Foreign Policy
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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.
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CI.28
CI.11
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Project 2 continued
News Quiz 8
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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9
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Intro to Politics
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Identify key differences between political parties in the US.
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CI.7
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Bellwork 3
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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10
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Our Government
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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.
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CI.7
CI.18
CI.27
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Political Party Platform WS
Evaluation of Taxation
News Quiz 1
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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11
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Our Government
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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.
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CI.19
CI.23
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National Debt/Income Inequality Thinkpiece
Welfare Discussion
News Quiz 2
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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12
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Equality
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Analyze types, patterns, and attitudes regarding discrimination.
Define affirmative action and its justification.
Examine the role that diversity plays in college admission policies.
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CI.9
CI.31
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Affirmative Action Thinkpiece
News Quiz 3
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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13
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Equality
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Analyze the debate over the legalization of gay marriage.
Examine an election and analyze it’s results.
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CI.26
CI.31
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Gay Marriage Discussion
Election Evaluation
News Quiz 4
Bellwork 1
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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14
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Crime and Punishment
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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.
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CI.14
CI.13
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Crime Proposal
News Quiz 5
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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15
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Crime and Punishment
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Assess the effectiveness of the death penalty.
Analyze the issue of gun ownership and control in the United States.
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CI.31
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Death Penalty Debate
Gun Control Discussion
News Quiz 6
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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16
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Rights, Responsibilities, and Freedom
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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.
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CI.16
CI.24
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Immigration Thinkpiece
First Amendment Discussion
News Quiz 7
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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17
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Rights, Responsibilities, and Freedom
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Examine ethical implications of euthanasia and doctors’ intervention at the end of life.
Compare and contrast views on choice (abortion) for women.
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Abortion Discussion
Bellwork 2
News Quiz 8
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Week
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Lesson Focus
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Weekly Objectives
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TN Standards
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Assessments
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Additional Notes
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18
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Final Exam
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Prepare for the Contemporary Issues Final Exam
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Final Exam
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