Notre Dame De Sion School

Spring 2010

Contemporary Global Issues 

Instructor: Ms. Kristie Pennock

Room: 214

Contact: 492-3282, x. 1151

               kpennock@ndsion.edu

Course Overview :

This course is designed to give the student a wide-scope survey of the pressing issues of the day, with particular emphasis on issues which are global in nature and impact. Students will engage with current events through hands-on simulation, discussion, and debate.

Course Objectives:

Students will:

• Discuss major issues facing societies and groups regarding politics, economics, environment, technology, religion, expansion and decline.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the scope and sequence of major events that have created the current global political scene.
• Utilize multiple tools (primary/secondary source reading, writing, research, reenactment, debate and discussion) to examine significant issues, events, trends, and figures.
• Demonstrate an understanding of general world geography.
• Take and defend positions regarding current events, both from the perspective of a US citizen, and from the perspective(s) of the persons involved in the issue.
• Work effectively with others to produce products and solve problems.

Text:

BrownUniversity’s CHOICES modules, as distributed by the instructor

The Lexus and the Olive Tree,  Thomas L. Friedman

Classroom Philosophy/Expectations:

Philosophy:

1.) Be respectful of others, 2.) follow school rules, 3.) take responsibility for your self and your community.  I (the instructor), in turn, will: 1.) be respectful of you, 2.) fairly enforce school rules, 3.) take responsibility for myself and the community.  I truly believe in the golden rule—Do unto others as you would have done unto you.  I will honestly strive to honor that principle, and expect that you will do the same.

Behavioral Expectations:

• No talking while someone else has the floor, or while people are trying to work quietly.

2. No Electronic Devices may be used in class without the express permission of the instructor. This includes, but is not limited to cell phones, mp3 players, CD players, radios, and text-messaging devices.

3.Students need to be in class when the bell rings, and should not ask to use the bathroom, get a drink, etc. until after the class has begun. Students who know they will be running late should send

 word via another student, e-mail, or have their last teacher contact the instructor. 

4. Students are expected to arrive on time to class with the appropriate materials.  Unless the instructor announces otherwise, students are always expected to have class text(s) and assignment folders.  Students may leave their text in the classroom under their desk at their own risk.

5. As long as hall pass privileges are not abused, a student may take the hall pass without first asking permission during class as long as she writes her name on the board by the pass holder.  Students should use the pass for emergency purposes only during discussion or lecture.  The hall pass is ONLY to be used to get a drink, go to the bathroom, or go to the lockers.  Any other destinations require a signed pass from the teacher.  Only one student may use the pass at a time unless expressly told otherwise. No more than three people should be out of the room for any reason at any time.

6. No food and drink in the classroom without permission (except water in closable containers).

7. Students are expected to be in compliance with the uniform policy.

Other Behaviors

Any student found by the instructor or the community to be engaging in a behavior she judges to be inappropriate, disrespectful, disruptive, or contrary to school rules will be warned of that infraction as soon as possible.  After a second infraction, the student will be given an automatic pink slip.  THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SKIP THE WARNING PHASE FOR GROSS INFRACTIONS.

Enforceability/Severability

Non- enforcement of these policies in any specific circumstance does not serve as a basis for dismissal of any subsequent violation, nor does it invalidate any other provision in this syllabus

Academic Expectations:

Assignments

Students will be responsible for readings from the class texts, as well as other primary and secondary sources, class discussion/debate, weekly event reports, and research papers.

Participation

As this is a discussion-centered class, students will be expected to actively pay attention and participate.    If a student is found working on assignments for another class during discussion, the instructor reserves the right to issue a pink slip without warning, and confiscate the assignment until the end of class.

Evaluation

Students will take periodic unit tests and quizzes.

Make Up Work/Late Work

The policies outlined in the Student Handbook regarding make up work will be followed.  Look! A blimp!  (Sorry-just trying to see if you are still paying attention…) It is the student’s responsibility to ask the instructor about work missed, and to schedule a date for its completion.  Remember—absence on a test review day does not excuse you from a test.  Late work, which is any work handed in after the assignment is collected on or after the date it is due, or make up work that is not turned in within the specified timeframe, will be subject to a 5 point reduction. Late work will only be accepted during the quarter it was assigned in, and the instructor reserves the right to refuse late work if accepting it would inconvenience or disadvantage the rest of the class, or if doing so contributes to a pattern of irresponsibility in regard to the student’s timely completion of assignments.

Academic Honesty

Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses, and will be dealt with swiftly and harshly.  Any student CAUGHT IN THE ACT of cheating or plagiarizing another’s works will receive NO credit for the assignment in question, and appropriate authorities will be notified pursuant to pp.12-13 of the Student Handbook.  Any student SUSPECTED of cheating or plagiarism will be confronted by the instructor with her suspicion.  If the student admits her offense, she will be given no credit on her assignment .  If the student denies her offense, the instructor will notify the appropriate authorities, and a meeting will be convened where both parties can explain their positions.  If the student is found guilty of the offense, the sanctions listed in the handbook will be imposed.

Grading Scale

See page 8 of the Student Handbook.