Post Exam Current Events
2012 CURRENT EVENTS SEMINAR 2012current-events-21cr9mw
Part of the purpose of the U.S. History course is for you to develop opinions about people and events in the past. In this assignment, you will continue to develop “your voice” as you pick a current events topic that you feel passionate about. Pick a topic that reflects a real interest of yours. The topics should be based in the U.S. though could involve foreign policy. You must show evidence that this topic has appeared in a mainstream newspaper in the last 30 days. This project is worth 200 points.
OPTION 1. Working with two other people, read at least three articles from websites and magazines and run a seminar on your topic. You and your partners will start with a question and a statement of why this issue matters to each of you. You might each have different reasons the issue matters, but you need to explain all of them. Make a google site presentation in which you
1. Pose the question and establish your position on the issue in a “This is why this matters” statement. Students should be able to discern whether you are liberal or conservative; you and your partners may have separate beliefs; explain why you are passionate about this issue.
2. present the background on your issue – include a map if applicable, graphs, photos, short video – be sure that you do not read the googlesite, but use the site to help you present your material (nothing below the scroll on each page); show how this issue has changed over time
3. make links to 9 different sites you read so students could research further
4. engage the class in Harkness discussion; if students use links from your website in their comments, they will accrue extra points
5. Your grade will be based on
a. your presentation and
b. your ability to get students involved in the discussion, and
c. your ability to get at least one student to act on your issue.
d. you can get 2 bonus point for each discussion that you refer in an appropriate way to readings from the presenters’ google site
OPTION 2. Find a speaker on a topic of interest to A.P.U.S. History. Arrange for the person to come and speak. Introduce the speaker in class. Write and present “This is why this matters” statement that explains why you have chosen this speaker both before and after the presentation. Write a thank you note to the speaker. You must have your speaker blocked in by 5/18.
YOUR PRESENTATION
1. Find at least three articles to read so that you can understand your issue. The articles should be sufficiently complex to get at the roots of the issue. Please find articles in at least 3 sources, including
Possible Topics
- U.S. Involvement in Afghanistan
- Indian Mascot
- Fair Trade
- Civil War in Congo
- Achievement Gap in West Hartford
- Affordable housing
- Oil prices
- Arizona’s immigration law
- Women and the glass ceiling
- Israel and Palestine
- Nuclear Weapons
- Syria’s revolution
- National Health Insurance
- Gay Marriage
- Global Warming
- Organic Food and eating healthy
- Eating local
- Affirmative Action in College admissions
- Mass transit – West Hartford’s busway;
- Conard’s school lunches
- Water
Candidates for President in 2012
Another topic okayed by the teacher.
1) Listen to the presentation carefully. In Socratic Seminars your opinions are important, but these opinions are based upon your thoughts about the evidence.
2) LISTEN to what others have to say, and don’t interrupt. A discussion cannot occur if people have not listened carefully to the discussion and others opinions and evidence.
3) SPEAK CAREFULLY. For others to respond to your opinions, everyone must be able to hear and understand what you say.
4.) GIVE OTHERS YOUR RESPECT. A discussion is a cooperative exchange of ideas and not an argument or debate. Use peoples names when you address their point. Don’t talk privately to your neighbor. You may become excited and wish to share your ideas, but in a seminar class this is done publicly for the whole class. Take down notes if you’re having trouble remembering what you want to say, or if you have a long wait to be able to talk.
SOCRATIC SEMINAR PARTICIPANT’S RUBRIC
“10”: Socrates salutes you.
• You make several comments during the seminar (3-4) that express original, deep thinking; beyond the presentation. This thinking need not always be a new thought: the comments may extend a previously mentioned issue or topic.
• The comments always refer to the evidence for supporting arguments, and that evidence is both a perfect match for the given argument, and one that is not obvious to the group.
• You always listen by asking a follow up question, responding to one, or jotting down notes.
• You repeat the question in the answer, give evidence, state connections to the related topic/texts, provide an argument about what is being said, address and respond to the opposing argument.
“8”: Socrates smiles at you.
• You make several comments during the seminar (2-3) that expresses original ideas or extensions, but lack the depth of thought seen at the A level.
• The comments always refer back to the evidence, for supporting arguments, but there may be a mismatch between the argument and the evidence.
• You most always listen (by asking a follow-up question, responding to one, or by jotting down notes.)
“7”: Socrates looks at you amusingly.
• You make the minimum number of comments during the seminar (2) that express a mixture of original thinking and/or repeating of others ideas.
• The comments almost always refer to the text but at least half the time you are pointing out something that is obvious.
“6”: Socrates scowls.
• You make a few comments that express a repeating of other’s ideas/comments.
• The comments almost never refer to the text to support answers.
• Only half the time do you listen (by asking a follow-up question, responding to one, or jotting down the notes.)
“5”: Socrates wonders if you have been playing with Play-dough
• You make off handed comments during the seminar (0-1) and rely only on repeating others’ comments.
• The comments are unrelated to the evidence.
Conservative Sites
The Drudge Report http://www.drudgereport.com/
GOP USA http://www.gopusa.com/
Media Research Center http://www.mrc.org/
National Review Online http://www.nationalreview.com/#
Weekly Standard http://www.weeklystandard.com/
Accuracy in Media http://www.aim.org/
Citizens United http://www.citizensunited.org/
Liberal Sites
Counter Punch http://www.counterpunch.org/
Daily Kos http://www.dailykos.com/
Mother Jones http://www.motherjones.com/
OEN The Nation http://www.thenation.com/
The New Republic http://www.tnr.com/
Non Partisan
Fast Check http://factcheck.org/
Project Vote Smart http://votesmart.org/
Spot on http://spot-on.com/
