Current Events - Real and Fake
Current Events - Real and Fake: By the end of this class, students will have a much-improved understanding of the history and complexity of some of the major issues facing the US and the world today. Students will also have gained tools to navigate the complex modern media landscape with sophistication.
The class will focus on significant current US and global issues of interest to the students and instructor. Investigations of topics will include the historical context and events that led to the current state of affairs. Topics will be chosen as the semester progresses, but could include impeachment, elections, climate change, immigration trends, foreign policy, global issues, conspiracy theories, income/wealth inequality, health plans, etc.
Our media environment has changed dramatically over the last twenty years, and it has become more and more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Throughout the class, we will also focus on understanding journalism, research skills, distinguishing real from fake news, and other media literacy skills. Students will practice analyzing the reliability of various articles, documents, photographs, and videos, including accounting for possible fabrication or bias, understanding the difference between journalistic and editorial articles, etc.
Class time will include discussion, debate, lecture with note taking, news analysis, writing, oral presentations, quizzes, and more. My teaching style focuses on helping each student improve their skills from where they are. Writing and other assignments will be adaptable to a range of ages and skills. I will also work with the students on perseverance, critical thinking, note taking, overcoming preconceived ideas, teamwork, and effective study habits. Letter grades will not be given, but I will collect homework and in-class assignments and provide feedback.
Homework: Homework assignments will include some flexibility for student interests, learning styles, grade levels, and academic goals. Nonetheless, all students should plan to complete at least 2 hours of homework outside of class each week. Assigned homework will require internet access, and could include watching or making videos, listening to podcasts, reading articles, writing essays and shorter pieces, preparing for debates and oral presentations, conducting interviews, completing online media literacy lessons, etc. While I am generally flexible, failure to do the homework will significantly impact students' learning and ability to participate in class. As a result, any student who habitually fails to complete the homework will be asked to leave the class.
High School Credit: High school students wanting 5 units of high school credit should complete 3 hours of homework each week. Because we will explore the history behind current issues, and because the California US History Standards extend through the present, this class could be used to obtain some US History credits.
Prerequisites: Students should be:
The class will focus on significant current US and global issues of interest to the students and instructor. Investigations of topics will include the historical context and events that led to the current state of affairs. Topics will be chosen as the semester progresses, but could include impeachment, elections, climate change, immigration trends, foreign policy, global issues, conspiracy theories, income/wealth inequality, health plans, etc.
Our media environment has changed dramatically over the last twenty years, and it has become more and more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Throughout the class, we will also focus on understanding journalism, research skills, distinguishing real from fake news, and other media literacy skills. Students will practice analyzing the reliability of various articles, documents, photographs, and videos, including accounting for possible fabrication or bias, understanding the difference between journalistic and editorial articles, etc.
Class time will include discussion, debate, lecture with note taking, news analysis, writing, oral presentations, quizzes, and more. My teaching style focuses on helping each student improve their skills from where they are. Writing and other assignments will be adaptable to a range of ages and skills. I will also work with the students on perseverance, critical thinking, note taking, overcoming preconceived ideas, teamwork, and effective study habits. Letter grades will not be given, but I will collect homework and in-class assignments and provide feedback.
Homework: Homework assignments will include some flexibility for student interests, learning styles, grade levels, and academic goals. Nonetheless, all students should plan to complete at least 2 hours of homework outside of class each week. Assigned homework will require internet access, and could include watching or making videos, listening to podcasts, reading articles, writing essays and shorter pieces, preparing for debates and oral presentations, conducting interviews, completing online media literacy lessons, etc. While I am generally flexible, failure to do the homework will significantly impact students' learning and ability to participate in class. As a result, any student who habitually fails to complete the homework will be asked to leave the class.
High School Credit: High school students wanting 5 units of high school credit should complete 3 hours of homework each week. Because we will explore the history behind current issues, and because the California US History Standards extend through the present, this class could be used to obtain some US History credits.
Prerequisites: Students should be:
- in sixth through twelfth grade
- motivated to read, write about, and discuss complex topics to the best of their abilities
- open to exploring diverse opinions with respect, and
- willing and able to follow the classroom and behavior expectations.
Classroom Expectations: The class will be designed to challenge and engage middle and high school students. The nature of the material is likely to be political and controversial. As an instructor, I will encourage students to seek information that is supported by science and professional journalism, which means that as a presenter of information and a moderator of discussions, I may not always be politically neutral. Students can expect to have their ideas challenged, by myself, other students, guest lecturers, and class materials. Students must be able to disagree with others and receive disagreement in a calm and respectful manner. In addition, all students must be able to work productively and politely in groups with all other students in the class, and must follow my behavior expectations at all times.
Time: Monday afternoons, 1:00-3:15. There will be 2 hours of class and one 15 minute break each day. During the break families will take turns providing snacks for the whole class.
Location: My personal home on the West Side of Santa Cruz, near the intersection of Mission and Laurel. I encourage families to carpool to and from class.
Calendar: Class is scheduled to meet on 16 Mondays. One class may be cancelled during the year due to instructor illness or other reasons with no change in course fees.
Tuition: Total tuition is $450 for the semester, broken into five monthly payments of $90 each, January through May. Alternatively, families may pay $425 by February 10. Tuition is meant to offset the instructor's time and costs, not to prevent appropriate students from enrolling. Scholarships and work trades are available if needed. Unfortunately, at this time I am not an Ocean Grove vendor.
For new students I do not know, the first three classes are a trial period. If during that time the family decides that my class or teaching style is not a match for their student, or if I decide that your student is not a match for my teaching style, I will refund all tuition payments.
If you are interested in asking specific questions or registering, click here.
Time: Monday afternoons, 1:00-3:15. There will be 2 hours of class and one 15 minute break each day. During the break families will take turns providing snacks for the whole class.
Location: My personal home on the West Side of Santa Cruz, near the intersection of Mission and Laurel. I encourage families to carpool to and from class.
Calendar: Class is scheduled to meet on 16 Mondays. One class may be cancelled during the year due to instructor illness or other reasons with no change in course fees.
- January 27
- February 3, 10, 24
- March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- April 13, 20, 27
- May 4, 11, 18
- June 1
Tuition: Total tuition is $450 for the semester, broken into five monthly payments of $90 each, January through May. Alternatively, families may pay $425 by February 10. Tuition is meant to offset the instructor's time and costs, not to prevent appropriate students from enrolling. Scholarships and work trades are available if needed. Unfortunately, at this time I am not an Ocean Grove vendor.
For new students I do not know, the first three classes are a trial period. If during that time the family decides that my class or teaching style is not a match for their student, or if I decide that your student is not a match for my teaching style, I will refund all tuition payments.
If you are interested in asking specific questions or registering, click here.