Current Issues Syllabus
Fall 2020
Teacher: Andrew Alverson
Email:
Andrew.alverson@cobbk12.org (the best way to contact me)
Blog: Visit my page through the Hillgrove High School Website
(Staff, Departments, Social Studies, Andrew Alverson)
Course Description and Objectives
The purpose of Current Issues
is to inform students about the world around them and try to understand the
when, where’s, and how’s of tomorrows history.
As a Current Issues class we are free to explore and generate our own
path of subject matter. The objective of
this course is to help students form their own opinions and help them become
free thinkers who will understand how the past shaped our present and the
present shapes our future.
Class Rules…
1.
Do Right Rule…Will
discuss on day 1
Expectations
Although this course will be
discussion/debate based, there will be an expectation that students read news
articles, write summaries, and complete other necessary class activities. Students should also follow the rules below:
1. Openness: Be willing to express your
ideas and be respectful and willing to listen to others.
2. Respectful: In order to have an open class that allows students to express their
ideas, we must show each other dignity and respect. Please do not interrupt
others when they are talking. Offensive language will NOT be tolerated. If you
have a problem with what someone is saying, please see me immediately.
3. Maturity: expect you to handle mature topics with maturity. We will discuss many
socially and culturally sensitive topics.
4. Be present, prepared and on time! All classroom rules will mirror school
policy.
5. *Plagiarism is unacceptable
behavior. Students caught copying information from any source (internet web
sites, books, classmates, etc.) will be given a zero. A second offense carries an
automatic failure penalty as outlined in the student agenda.
Grading Procedure
Projects
Daily/Homework
Quizzes/Article Summaries
Final Exam
Dates of upcoming items and
events will be posted on the blog as well as in the classroom. Keep in mind all item due dates are subject
to change due to happenings of news worthy events or causes out of our control.
Late Work: Assignments
are expected to be turned in on the date in which they are due. If for some reason a student has late work
the following policy will be used.
Day 1…-10
Day 2…-20
Day 3+…-30
Class Participation: In
order for this class to be fun and engaging for everyone, class participation
is essential. Students will be assessed on their ability to meaningfully
participate in class discussions, coming to class prepared (having read any
assigned articles), read articles quietly, pay attention during videos, etc. I recognize some are more comfortable
participating in class than others are; however, it is essential that students
speak up to show they are engaged in learning the information. (F2F)
For
virtual learning, students are expected to attend the sessions on their
schedules provided by Hillgrove High School.
If anyone has any issue with timing, please email me and we will set
something up.
Cell Phone Policy
Students
shall not use, display, or turn on cellular phones, video phones, or electronic
devices during instructional time for non-instructional purposes without the
expressed permission of the teacher. The first offense will result in a verbal
warning. The second offense will result in a detention and a phone call to the
parent. Any offense thereafter will result in an administrative referral
NETIQUETTE GUIDE FOR ONLINE COURSES
It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in
fact a classroom, and certain behaviors are
expected when you communicate with both your peers and your
instructors. These guidelines for online
behavior and interaction are known as netiquette.
SECURITY
Remember that your password is the
only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm.
• Don't share your
password with anyone .
• Change your
password if you think someone else might know it.
• Always log out
when you are finished using the system.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
When communicating online, you
should always:
• Treat your instructor and
classmates with respect in email or any other communication.
• Always use your professors’
proper title: Dr. or Prof., or if in doubt use Mr. or Ms.
• Unless specifically invited,
don’t refer to your instructor by first name.
• Use clear and concise language.
• Remember that all college level
communication should have correct spelling and grammar (this
includes discussion boards).
• Avoid slang terms such as
“wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.”
• Use standard fonts such as
Ariel, Calibri or Times new Roman and use a size 10 or 12 pt. font
• Avoid using the caps lock
feature AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETTED AS YELLING.
• Limit and possibly avoid the use
of emoticons like :) or .
• Be cautious when using humor or
sarcasm as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion
post and your message might be
taken seriously or sound offensive.
• Be careful with personal
information (both yours and other’s).
• Do not send confidential
information via e-mail.
EMAIL NETIQUETTE
When you send an email to your
instructor, teaching assistant, or classmates, you should:
• Use a descriptive subject line.
• Be brief.
• Avoid attachments unless you are
sure your recipients can open them.
• Avoid HTML in favor of plain
text.
• Sign your message with your name
and return e-mail address.
• Think before you send the e-mail
to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see
your message?
• Be sure you REALLY want everyone
to receive your response when you click, “reply all.”
• Be sure that the message author
intended for the information to be passed along before you
click the “forward” button.
MESSAGE BOARD NETIQUETTE
AND GUIDELINES
When posting on the Discussion
Board in your online class, you should:
• Make posts that are on topic and
within the scope of the course material.
• Take your posts seriously and
review and edit your posts before sending.
• Be as brief as possible while
still making a thorough comment.
• Always give proper credit when
referencing or quoting another source.
• Be sure to read all messages in
a thread before replying.
• Don’t repeat someone else’s post
without adding something of your own to it.
• Avoid short, generic replies
such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the
previous point.
• Always be respectful of others’
opinions even when they differ from your own.
• When you disagree with someone,
you should express your differing opinion in a respectful,
non-critical way.
• Do not make personal or
insulting remarks.
• Be open-minded.
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
|
August |
||||
|
17 Class Introductions |
18 Conspiracy Theory (Select through google form) |
19 Student Workday |
20 Conspiracy Theory |
21 Credible Sources BBC Spaghetti Harvest |
|
24 Political Sources and Bias |
25 Conspiracy Theory Project |
26 Student Workday |
27 Conspiracy Theory Project |
28 Conspiracy Theory Project Due |
|
September |
||||
|
31 Social Issues and Controversial Law |
1 Race Stand Your Ground |
2 Student Workday |
3 Prison Reform 1st Step Act Stacking Charges |
4 Capital Punishment |
|
7 Immigration Deportation Border Facilities (Splitting Families) |
8 Social Movements |
9 Student Workday |
10 Cancel Culture |
11 Social Issues Article Due |
|
14 Amendments (1) |
15 1 |
16 Student Workday |
17 2-3 |
18 4-8 |
|
21 9-10, 12 |
22 13-15 |
23 Student Workday |
24 19,24,26 |
25 Quiz (1-27) |
|
October |
||||
|
28 Fall Break |
29 Fall Break |
30 Fall Break |
1 Fall Break |
2 Fall Break |
|
5 Government Types |
6 Evolution of Government https://fee.org/articles/the-evolution-of-governance-in-9-stages/ |
7 Student Workday |
8 Famous Governments throughout History |
9 World Governments and Countries |
|
12 US Government |
13 Declaration of Independence |
14 Student Workday |
15 Constitution |
16 Constitution |
|
19 Politics (Definitions) |
20 Political Spectrum |
21 Student Workday |
22 Two Party Systems |
23 Other Parties |
|
26 Election Process |
27 Electoral College |
28 Student Workday |
29 Congress |
30 State |
|
November |
||||
|
2 Election Assignment |
3 Election Day |
4 Student Workday |
5 Election Fallout |
6 Election Assignment Due |
|
9 US Policy (Domestic) |
10 |
11 Student Workday |
12 |
13 |
|
16 US Policy (Foreign) |
17 |
18 Student Workday |
19 |
20 |
|
23 Economics (Types) |
24 Supply |
25 Student Workday |
26 Demand |
27 Equilibrium |
|
December |
||||
|
30 Personal Finance |
1 |
2 Student Workday |
3 |
4 Personal Finance Assignment Due |
|
7 Economics |
8 |
9 Student Workday |
10 |
11 |
|
14 |
15 |
16 Student Workday |
17 |
18 |
Fall 2020
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