Current Issues and Events

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Appendix

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Additional Educator Resources

Course Details:

Grades: 10 - 12

Length: one semester

Prerequisites: none

Course Description:

Current Issues & Events develops student awareness and understanding of issues that influence their community, state, nation, and the world. The course content varies according to relevant topics and student interests.

While the grade/course level competencies are required, the content objectives are suggested pathways that move learners toward competency and the achievement of performance indicators.

Graduate - Level Competency:

Communication

GL.1 The learner will demonstrate the ability to read a variety of texts fluently and critically by using a variety of strategies in order to evaluate arguments, biases, intended audience, and purpose.

Course/Grade Competency:

CI.1 The learner will identify different forms of media and media bias, and evaluate the impact of the media on public opinion, in order to be aware of the influence of media

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Identify different types of media, and the pros and cons of each.
- List and identify different types of media bias.
- Define terms such as moderate, center, left, liberal, right, conservative, etc.
- Define fake news.
- Read about the same current event from different media sources and identify bias.
- Analyze the impact of social media on social and political movements.
- Evaluate the importance of a free press and access to information for a free society.

Standards:

NCSS

III-V

Course/Grade Competency:

CI.2 The learner will analyze current issues and policy decisions from various stakeholder perspectives to be a more informed voter.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Define stakeholders.
- Read current events and identify stakeholders.
- Identify stakeholder’s positions and articulate reasons supporting the position.
- Identify complex cause and consequence relationships within current issues.
- Identify the historical context that contributes to specific issues.
- Apply to suggested topics from previous competencies.

Standards:

AK Cultural

B.1, E.7

Graduate - Level Competency:

Civics

GL.2 The learner will apply the principles and structures of representative democracy and other political systems by analyzing historical and current issues in order to evaluate the relationship between the individual, government, and other groups.

Course/Grade Competency:

CI.3 The learner will analyze the role of governments and systems of authority in creating laws and domestic policies, in order to make informed decisions.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Identify the purpose and roles of a government.
- Identify non-governmental agencies that impact laws and policies.
- Define economic systems and how they interact with governments.
- Identify the role of the individual in various government and economic systems.
- Suggested topics for research or analysis:
  - - Individual rights
    - Human rights
    - Environmental issues
    - Education
    - Healthcare
    - Justice system
    - Federalism
    - Domestic terrorism
    - Immigration
    - Technology
    - Industrialization
    - Welfare
    - Political parties

Standards:

AK Cultural

B.1, E.7

Suggested Activities, Materials, and Resources:

Kids Voting

Graduate - Level Competency:

Social Studies Processes, Knowledge, and Skills

GL.4 The learner will develop research skills by selecting, evaluating, and synthesizing information from varied sources in order to effectively communicate using reasoning and sufficient evidence, both orally and in writing.

Course/Grade Competency:

CI.4 The learner will analyze the role of governments and systems of authority in creating laws and foreign policies, in order to make informed decisions.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Define the U.N. and explain its role in addressing global issues
- Identify other global organizations such as NATO, WTO, G8, etc.
- Define globalization and evaluate the positive and negative consequences.
- Identify the role of the individual in various government and economic systems.
- Suggested topics for research or analysis:
  - - Terrorism
    - Immigration
    - Alliances
    - Trade policies
    - Refugee
    - Nuclear non proliferation
    - Climate change
    - Environmental issues
    - Human trafficking
    - Technology
    - War
    - Human rights

Standards:

Graduate - Level Competency:

Civic Engagement

GL.5 The learner will gain an understanding of their role in the community by planning and implementing a civic action or service-learning project based on local, state, national, or international needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of civic participation.

Course/Grade Competency:

CI.5 The learner will research a current issues and create a project proposal that addresses possible solutions, and design and implement an action plan in order to experience the process involved in making political changes.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

- Possible action plan ideas:
  - - PSA
    - Petition
    - Awareness campaign
    - Letter writing campaign
    - Fundraisers and collecting donations
    - Partnering with local NGOs, business, etc.
    - Contacting legislators
    - Speech and/or public testimony.

Standards:

See the appendix for additional resources.

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