Current Event Civics Lessons
Critical Analysis of Current Event Civics Issues In Today’s Media |
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Prerequisite: 10th grade and above. This can be taught as an adult education class as well. |
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Quarter |
TBD |
Meeting Days/Time |
TBD |
Instructor |
Dr. Ellis G. Godwin (Resume On Request) |
Instructor Phone |
312-339-4673 |
Instructor E-mail |
dreggodwin@practice-learning.com |
Instructor Office Hours/Location |
TBD |
Academic Office Phone Number |
TBD |
Strayer Online Technical Support |
TBD |
Helpdesk |
Course description
The course is designed to teach students how to critically seek out, analyze, and fact check information related to current event civic issues in the media. By taking this class it is hoped the student will develop the skills to determine the validity and accuracy of the information they get from the media on civic related issues. Using articles and quotes from a variety of sources the student will discover how things such as omission, fake news, brand awareness, and point of view can affect how information is delivered via print, television, and social media. Subjects covered in the course include issues both locally and nationally with respect to race, politics, education, health care and more. The students will be evaluated using essay writing, classroom participation, discussion questions and math problems. It is also hoped that they will develop the ability to determine how they will react to the issue with respect to their life objectives and their community.
Note:
While the course will deal with many current and past political issues it does not point the student to one particular position on the issues. The objective is that the student makes his or her decisions based on their research.
Required Course Material
Book:
Pract The Facts
Critical Analysis of Current Event Civics Issues in Today’s Media
Volume 1
Dr. E.G. Godwin
Equipment:
The student should have access to a computer to do in class research. The course can be taught in a computer lab.
Classroom Equipment
For some video challenges it would be good to have a television or radio available for live research.
Course Objectives:
Course Highlights:
Each chapter of the book includes the following assignments:
Classroom size:
10 to 15 students.
Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on the following:
Grading Guidelines:
Non-Credit Course:
Grading for non-credit courses should be done based on assignment completion percentage as established by the instructor.
Grading Scale…Pass/Fail
Assignment |
Total |
Required to pass course |
Essays. |
11 |
9 |
Discussion Questions (2 per week) |
22 |
18 |
Math Question |
Various |
9 |
What Divides Us. |
11 |
9 |
Class Participation (Weekly) |
9 |
11 |
Call To Action |
11 |
9 |
One of the other assignments in the section for the week i.e Facebook Challenge,Article Challenge, Video Challenge, Comment Challenge |
11 |
9 |
Pass….Student completes at least 80% of all assigned assignments.
Fail……Student completes less than 80% of all assigned assignments.
Grading Scale Credit Course:
Assignment |
Total Points |
% of Grade |
Essays (11 one for each assignment. 50 points each) |
550 |
29% |
Math Question (11, worth 10 points each) |
110 |
6% |
Discussion Questions (2 each lesson worth 20 points each.) |
220 |
11% |
What Divides Us (11 worth 10 points each.) |
110 |
6% |
Class participation (50 points each week) |
550 |
29% |
Call to Action (11 worth 10 points each) |
110 |
6% |
One of the other assignments in the section for the week i.e Facebook Challenge,Article Challenge, Video Challenge, Comment Challenge (11 worth 20 points each) |
220 |
11% |
Total |
1870 |
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Points |
Percentage |
Grade |
1683 – 1870 |
90% – 100% |
A |
1496– 1682 |
80% – 89% |
B |
1309 – 1495 |
70% – 79% |
C |
1122 - 1308 |
60% - 69% |
D |
Below 1308 |
Below 60% |
F |
Suggested Grading Rubric for Essay Questions:
Excellent 45-50 Points
Shows a thorough understanding of the question - Addresses all aspects of the question
Shows an ability to analyze. evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details
Writes a well-developed essay. consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
Includes a strong introduction and conclusion and strong topic sentences for each paragraph
The student has met 90% of the word count requirement
The student has met 100% of the reference requirement
Good 40-44.9
Presents a general understanding of the question
Addresses most aspects of the question or addresses all aspects in a limited way
Shows an ability to analyze or evaluate issues and events, but not in any depth
Writes a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization, with adequate topic sentences
The student has met 80% of the word count requirement.
The student has met 80% of the reference requirement.
Average 35-39.9
Restates the question in the introduction and concludes with a simple restatements of the question
Attempts to address the question, but uses vague and/or somewhat inaccurate information
Shows a limited understanding of the question; omits concrete examples; uses weak details
Writes a poorly’ organized essay lacking focus: uses few facts, examples & details; includes information that contains inaccuracies.
The student has met 70% of the word count requirement.
The student has met 70% of the reference requirement.
Poor 30-34.9
Has vague or missing introduction and/or conclusion
Develops a faulty analysis or evaluation
Lacks analysis or evaluation of the issues and events beyond stating vague and/or inaccurate facts
Uses little or no accurate or relevant facts, details, or examples
Weak topic sentences and/or no paragraphing (one long paragraph)
The student has met only 60% of the word count requirement.
The student did not use any references in his essay.
Unsatisfactory Below 30
Fails to address the question adequately
Is illegible
Suggested essay word count guideline
Evaluation
Short Essay
10th Grade…………….100 words…..1 reference
11th Grade……………..200 words….2 references
12th Grade and above……………..300 words....3 references
Discussion Questions
10th grade……………50 words….….1 reference
11th grade…………….75 words……..1 reference
12th grade and above…………….100 words…...1 reference
Suggested Discussion Question Grading Rubric
Grading Rubric for Classroom Weekly Discussions (?)=Word count TBD by grade level
Points Earned |
CATEGORY |
5 |
4 |
3.75 |
1or 0 |
_____ |
Contributions |
Provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort and brings several new and thought provoking ideas to the discussion. |
Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. Brings at least one new idea to the discussion. |
Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required. |
Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate. |
_____ |
Quality of writing and proofreading |
Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. The style of writing facilitates communication. Always identifies the person they are responding to in the post. |
Written responses are largely free of grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. The style of writing generally facilitates communication. |
Written responses contain more than six grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. The style of writing does not facilitate communication. |
Written responses contain more than a grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors the style of writing does not facilitate communication. |
_____ |
Initial Posting |
Posts well developed assignment that fully addresses and develops all aspects of the task; contains full development of the concepts. Post is greater than (?) words. The majority of the post is not cut and paste and is composed of a majority of the students own words |
Posts well developed assignment that addresses all aspects of the task; lacks full development of concepts. Post is between (?) words. The post is not cut and paste and is composed of a majority of the students own words |
Posts adequate assignment with superficial thought and preparation; doesn’t address all aspects of the task. Post is between (?) words. The majority of the post is a cut and paste and not composed of a majority of the students own words. |
The post is inadequate and/or off topic. The student did not respond to the initial/original question. Post is less than (?) words. |
_____ |
Response to other students and instructor |
Post one thoughtful response to at least one other student’s ideas. Posts is well developed and fully addresses and develops all aspects of the task; contains full development of the concepts. Post is greater than (?) words. The majority of the post is not cut and paste and is composed of a majority of the students own words |
Post one thoughtful response to at least one other student’s ideas. Post is well developed and fully addresses and develops all aspects of the task; contains full development of the concepts. Post is between (?) and words. The majority of the post is not cut and paste and is composed of a majority of the students own words. |
Post one response to at least one other student’s ideas. Post adequate assignment with superficial thought and preparation; doesn’t address all aspects of the task. Post is between (?) words. The majority of the post is a cut and paste and not composed of a majority of the students own words.
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Rarely, if ever, becomes engaged in discussion with anyone else. The post is inadequate and/or off topic. Post is less than (?) words. |
Grading for Classroom discussion rubric
A = 18-20
B = 16-17.9
C = 14-15.9
D = 12-13.9
F = Below 12
Course Syllabus:
Week 1. How Do I Pract The Facts?
Objective
In this session you will learn what it means to Pract The Facts. You will also review search techniques for the Internet.
Reading
Chapter 1. Read how to Pract The Facts. Read how to search the internet.
Assignments
Pract The Facts:
Has Barack Obama Done Enough For African Americans During His Presidency?
Read the quote and do in class research.
Short Essay
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
2 Discussion Questions
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor.
Week 2. Primary and Secondary Resources
Objectives:
To learn to identify primary and secondary resources
Reading
Read chapter two.
Assignments
Pract the Facts:
Chicago Teachers Threaten A Strike in 2016
Read the quote and do in class research.
Assignments:
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor.
Week 3. What Divides Us
Learning Objectives:
To review the organizations, views, and ideologies, that divide us in the U.S.
Reading:
Read Chapter 3
Assignments
Pract The Facts:
Hillary Clinton And The Basket Of Deplorables
Read the quote and do in class research.
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor.
Week 4. Points of View
Learning Objectives:
Understanding how points of view can influence public opinions and the media.
Reading
Read Chapter 4
Assignments
Pract The Facts:
Sugary Drinks Are Not The Problem. People Need To Exercise More.
Read the quote and do in class research.
Assignments:
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor.
Week 5. Know the Other Side
Learning Objectives:
To underscore the importance of understanding all sides of an issue.
Reading:
Read Chapter 5
Assignments:
Pract The Facts:
Why We Can’t Be Friends Any Longer After You Voted For Donald.
Read the quote and do in class research.
Assignments:
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor
Week 6. Omission
Learning Objectives:
To understand how the omission of information can affect the accuracy of
Information.
Reading:
Read chapter 6
Assignments:
Pract The Facts:
Black People Don’t Protest About Black On Black Crime
Read the quote and do in class research.
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor
Week 7. What is Beautiful is Good
Learning Objectives:
How the attractiveness of the person delivering the information can affect how people view
The accuracy of the information.
Reading:
Read chapter 7
Assignment
Pract The Facts:
Do Men and Women Find Other Attractive Women More Credible When Presenting The News?
Read the quote and do in class research.
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor
Week 8. What’s in a Brand?
Learning Objective:
How a persons brand can affect what they say on an issue and how we should react.
Reading:
Read Chapter 8
Assignments:
Pract The Facts:
John Stewart comments On Racism and Donald Trump
Read the quote and do in class research.
Assignments:
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor
Week 9. What’s in a Headline?
Learning Objective:
How Headlines can affect how a person reads and understands an article.
Reading:
Read Chapter 9
Assignments:
Pract The Facts:
What’s in a Headline? (various headlines)
Read the quote and do in class research.
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor
Week 10. Fake News
Learning Objectives:
How to identify and fact check fake news stories.
Reading:
Read Chapter 10
Assignments:
Pract The Facts:
“Nobody fact-checks anything anymore”
Read the quote and do in class research.
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor
Week 11. Fact Checking Resources
Learning Objectives:
Fact Checking Resources on The Web
Reading:
Read Chapter 11
Assignments:
Pract The Facts:
Donald Trump and Immigration
Read the quote and do in class research.
Assignments:
Short Essay
2 Discussion Questions
Math Question
Call To Action
Participate in Classroom Discussion
One other assignment as assigned by the instructor
Syllabus Notes :
1. The 5 week summer course will consist of week 1 and week 2 lessons. The other 3 week subject matter will consist of 3 of the 8 week lessons on the syllabus.
2. This is a living class. Some subject matter may change based on current events in the media in or around the weeks session.
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