INTRODUCTION:

Welcome! I am excited to have each of you in this class and for a great semester! The beautiful thing about this course is that you will shape the direction of the course! You will develop skills necessary for being an informed and active participant in our society. Success in this course requires you to stay attuned to current events and news. You will have the chance to lead several class discussions on pressing issues facing the world today. The world’s young generations have the unique ability to shape national and global conversations as we search to make social progress. In every syllabus for my classes, I end with the phrase “We are the young people who make a difference” and for this course, that is especially true!

COURSE OVERVIEW:

The semester-long course is recommended for juniors and seniors. It focuses on the issues facing communities of people living in contemporary American and global society. It is concerned with fostering the development of critical thinking. Current social issues are examined using the techniques developed by social scientists. Students will be given opportunities to investigate some of the many complex issues facing American and global societies. The course makes it possible for the student to examine openly and critically their own beliefs in relation to those of other members of our society and the world community.

COURSE GOALS:

Students will:

• • Demonstrate content mastery and application of appropriate content literacy and critical thinking skills.

  • Raise questions, solve problems, reason, and reflect in their understanding of their own learning styles.

  • Demonstrate learning through portfolios, exhibitions, simulations, debate, service-learning projects, that correlate to social studies content standards for evaluation

  • Communicate effectively and appropriately for a variety of purposes.

CLASS DISCUSSIONS:

• 1. Each quarter every student will be responsible for leading a class discussion. Meaning in the course of the semester, every student will lead 2 discussions. These class discussions will make up a significant portion of the students’ final grade.

  2. One of these discussions will be a presentation regarding a current event of their choosing and a discussion to follow.

  3. The other will include students choosing a music video they believe makes a commentary on a social issue and lead the class in a discussion on that issue.

  4. These discussions could take up anywhere from 30 minutes to the entire class period depending on the topic. This can only be successful with everyone’s active participation.

  5. Students will receive an assessment grade for each discussion that they lead. Additionally, participation classwork grades will be given for each discussion. Specific rubrics for presentations and participation in these discussions will be provided in the coming days.

  6. It is expected that students take these discussions seriously with a level of maturity and conscientious effort. Failure to do so will likely result in failure of the course.

Issues for Discussion: