GLOBAL ISSUES
Mrs. Koop (beth.koop@stwendelin.org)
Spring 2008
Course Description:
Our purpose in this class will be to identify, examine
and debate the major issues the world is facing today. Our first step will be to determine who the
major players are by identifying the heads of countries, the types of
government, and the major issues facing those countries. Possible topics to
discuss include global warming, biofuel production and use, terrorism, immigration
reform, AIDS epidemics, ethnic cleansing, U.N. initiatives, and
microfinancing. As we research and
examine these issues, we will attempt to objectively explore all sides of
select issues to determine what problems exist, what possible solutions can be
found, and what the consequences of a particular action (or inaction) are for
our own community, country, and the world.
In
this class, your participation and effort is vital and will be factored into
your grade. My job in this class is less
that of a teacher and more of a guide, a mentor to help you learn how to learn.
Your hard work, cooperation and respect will be essential in making this class
both successful and enjoyable.
Classroom Behavior:
§
Be prepared. Bring a notebook, and pen or pencil to each
class.
§
Participate and
pay attention in class. This class is discussion-oriented. The more you bring to class, the more we will
all learn.
§
Be respectful and
courteous. Rude, insensitive or inappropriate comments and interruptions can
result in demerits, detention or removal from the classroom.
§
Pick up after
yourself and leave your desk and area neat and tidy.
§
Students are
expected to abide by St. Wendelin’s dress code and code of behavior as
described in the Student Handbook.
Assignments:
§
You are responsible
for knowing your assignments. All class
assignments will be written in a designated spot for homework on the
board. Make sure you write these down in
your planner
§
Assignments are
expected to be turned in at the beginning of class on the date due. Late assignments will be graded as follows:
25% will be deducted if it is turned in later than collected; 50% will be
deducted if it is turned after the due date.
No assignments will be accepted later than the next class period.
§
Show care for
your work. This means writing legibly in
complete sentences with correct grammar and spelling. Points may be deducted from assignments for
sloppiness or using IM spellings (ex. b4, b/c, w/).
§
Do your own
work. Your name on your paper or test is
your pledge of honesty that it is your work.
Your name is the only thing you come into this world with and it is the
only thing you take with you when you die.
It is your responsibility to take care that it is not ruined. If I determine that any answer on a homework
assignment, quiz or test is copied from another student, both assignments,
quizzes or tests will receive a zero.
Absences:
§
You must be
present on a day you are assigned to present information. Only catastrophic emergencies will be
accepted as excused absences. Work that is due on the day of an excused absence
may be turned in at the next class period with no penalty. Work that is due on the day of an unexcused
absence will follow the same rules as a late assignment.
§
It is your
responsibility to refer to the Homework Board and/or speak to me about work
assigned on a day you missed.