Current Event Assignments and instructions

 

Current Events 2019-2020

SWBAT: Recognize a variety of perspectives as well as root causes of current events (conflicts, challenges, etc.), make connections across academic disciplines, and recognize bias by conducting short research and writing on weekly current events.

Have knowledge and awareness of current events from around the world 

One of the benefits of studying history is to get a better understanding of the problems and challenges of the present. Knowing why things got to be the way they are is an important step in finding a solution.

1. Several times throughout the year you will receive a current event to research and report on. Each current event will be related to the topic at hand (for example, if we are studying the age of governmental reform undertaken in Tokjugawa Japan, you will be assigned a current event related to Japan). 
2. In addition to turning in an original analysis and report of the current event via Turnitin.com you must also bring a printed copy to class for class discussion. You will place the printed copy along with notes on current events shared by your classmates, in a "Current Event Journal" that will be periodically checked and that will be part of your final grade each semester. Instructions for each week's current event as well as for your current event journal attached below.
3. You are free to use any news source that is worthy and reliable and that at least attempts to be unbiased (there is no such thing as 100% bias-free, because all journalists are human and human beings have biases. Your job as a student and/or an educated citizen is to examine and question all news sources and learn to recognize bias).  A few news sources will not be allowed as your primary news source (Fox News, MSNBC, Breibart)
4. Below are some links to news sources: 

CNN
BBC
New York Times
Newsweek
Time Magazine
Al Jazeera
NPR
Wall Street Journal
Snopes Fact Checking
Reuters
The Economist
PBS
C-Span
Associated Press
Washington Post

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEEKLY CURRENT EVENT ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Refer to two news sources.
QUESTIONS
2. Answer the following questions in thorough, complete sentences/paragraphs (DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS. Just answer them).
     a. Title of current event or problem
     b. Place/time/date of the current event or problem
     c.  What happened/is happening? (describe)
     d.  Who/what is involved
     e.  What is the history (long-term & short term) behind this world event/challenge/problem
     f.  How is it related to something we are studying at the present moment in class
     g.  What is something you found S. (significant or important), I. (interesting), T. (troubling)
     h. What bias did you detect in the article. Who's point of view is being presented? (for example, if
          it is an article about the conflict between North Korea and the United States, which country is
          being portrayed in the more favorable light?)
    
3. Submit to turn it.com https://www.turnitin.com/
4. Print out your report/analysis and at least one of the articles
5. Print out the  "Other Current Events Questionnaire" to take notes on as you speak to your classmates

INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR YEAR-LONG CURRENT EVENT JOURNAL:
1. Each week (approximately) you will complete a current even assignment.
2. You are to keep those current events in a folder (may be a three-ring binder or a folder) for reference throughout the year.
3. Include a title page
4. Each current event must be clearly labeled with a visible and logical title.
5. Your Current event journals will be collected/graded for quality (see rubric)  throughout the semester and at the end of each semester. 

 If at any point you have questions, please e-mail me at cbarros@sjusd.org