Our Times will explore and discuss major events and movements in the news today and will in addition seek to closely examine how these events are covered and interpreted by the media. What is the role of media in a democratic society? How do reporters and editors interpret events we read about in print media? What ways is the news merely reported and in what ways is it “invented”? What are the historical roots of some current events? These are some of the questions we will entertain.
Work Requirements:
1. Read the NYT on a daily basis – minimum of 1/2 hour expected.
2. Bring the paper with you to class.
3. As a class, follow several domestic and international stories.
4. Photostory: Follow stories of our own choosing over course of the semester.
-Each person will be responsible for selecting a story, topic or issue that appeals to him/her and following it over the course of the semester.
5. Actively engage in class discussions.
6. Write a Bi-weekly reflection, 1 page in length, centered on the issue/topic and what you have learned and researched. You will use a blog to submit your reflections. Reflections are written in narrative form and will include citations of all research conducted. This may at times require doing additional research to broaden your understanding of the topic or issue.
7. Occasional quizzes, especially on vocabulary, can be expected.
8. Final exam, format to be determined. (Role of media in democracy!)
Grading:
Course assessment will be based on completion of assignments, participation in class, essays, research projects, and culminating assessments. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up on all work missed. No extra credit will be offered.
Homework accounts for 20% of your overall grade
Bi-weekly reflections/Journaling 20%
Research (Photostory)Assignment/Assessments/Service-Learning 40%
Participation 20%
Focus areas in the NYT:
News, Editorials, Features, Humor, Advertising, Sports, and Entertainment
Extra Help:
Students are encouraged to seek extra help, if needed, before school, during periods E & G and after school. It is best to plan ahead and make an appointment. I will be happy to meet you without an appointment unless I have a prior commitment.
It is important for your parent/guardian to understand what is expected of you in this class.
Please share this overview with your parent/guardian and encourage them to write, email, or phone me if they have any questions or concerns.
Email: berthiaj@harwood.org
Phone: School: 244-5186 ext. 155 or voice mail etc. 285
Home: 862-5048 (between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.)
Overview: Collaborating with Champlain College students you will research, read, study and follow a contemporary issue, problem or topic that seems to be on going in The New York Times. To research you will use the following sources:
Your Champlain College partner via: wikis, skype, etc.
Final Product: The final product will be a photostory. Your photostory will be a presentation of all that you have learned about the topic/issue you have researched. Your research of the historic roots of this contemporary issue/topic has helped you to better understand the issue/topic. You are now in the position of educating others who may not know what you have discovered and learned. Your photostory will be presented to an audience, that you will help define, that will benefit from your learning.
On going assignment for this project:
Write a Bi-weekly reflection, 1 page in length, centered on the issue/topic and what you have learned and researched. You will use a blog to submit your reflections. Reflections are written in narrative form and will include citations of all research conducted. This may at times require doing additional research to broaden your understanding of the topic or issue.
How to creating a BLOG
We will be using Blogger for our weblogs it is owned by Google so you will have to set up a Google account if you don't already have one.
Steps:
1. First step is to go to Blogger.com
2. Once you are on this page you have the option of signing in using your Google account or starting from scratch and creating your blog (click on the orange arrow that says CREATE YOUR BLOG NOW)
3. This page will bring you to the Create a Google account page. It is self-explanatory.
4. The next step is to name your blog. It is very important that you follow the naming conventions I give you below
Your blog title should be your first and last name. (Example: Jean Berthiaume)
The blog address should be your first and last name followed by 01, with no spaces (Example: jeaberthiaume01)
5. The next step is selecting a template. Don't pick one that is too wild...some are harder to read than others.
6. You are now ready to start blogging but first you must email me with you blog address so I can add you to the class website. jeanberthiaume@comcast.net
7. To post to your blog click on the New Post in the upper right corner.
The Title should be "1st Biweekly Reflection” and change 1st to 2nd for next, etc.
8. Now you are ready to type your journal or reflection in the box below. The editor works just like word processor. When you are finished remember to click publish post at the bottom of the page.
Comments (2)
Anonymous said
at 10:53 am on Sep 10, 2007
Yippee!
Anonymous said
at 10:53 am on Sep 10, 2007
Nice page Mr B.!!!!
You don't have permission to comment on this page.