Global Politics 12 (September 2012)

1. Global Politics 12 (September 2012) • Materials: • Textbook • Binder • Pens – 2 different colours at least (to help with definition and vocabulary) Teacher: Ms. Jennie O’Brien Course Description Welcome to the first ever Global Politics course at Digby Regional High School. This year we are offering Global Politics 12 as a pilot course that is eligible for the global studies requirement for graduation. This course is designed to broadened your understanding of the political spectrum and political ideologies throughout the world. This course will focus on global citizenship, political systems, the Canadian system, comparative politics and international relations. The classroom instruction will reflect the Outcomes set out by the Nova Scotia Department of Education which can be found on the Tri-County Regional School Board website under “Important Documents.” Instruction will be completed through whole class, small group, conversation, observation and independent instruction. Students will be expected to follow current events in the news on a global, national and local stage. You can expect to do a lot of work in this class. To understand political systems you must understand the political spectrum and how the economy, culture and religion play into the political reality of individual countries. • Global Politics 12 Units: • Political Systems • Canadian System • Comparative Politics • International Relations • Course Breakdown: • Assignments & Projects 50% • Current Events Project 15% • Tests & Quizzes 5% • Exam 30% Points of Interest This course will require an understanding of political issues occurring at the moment. Therefore, newspapers, online news organizations and television media will be used in class to look at how stories and points of view can influence the public perception of current events. Part of the course requirement will be a current events log that will eliminate the response of, “I don’t watch the news” when we engage in classroom discussions. Controversial ideas will be brought into the classroom to see how different perspectives are represented across the political spectrum. The classroom environment will respect all points of views and not push or condone a specific ideologies. Expectations • I expect that I will: • teach and assess according to provincial standards • be available to communicate with students and parents • provide a safe and inviting learning environment • I expect that each student will: • arrive to class on time • arrive with the necessary materials required for the day • enter the room with a respectful attitude for his/her learning and the learning of their peers • do their best on all assignments and tasks • communicate with me regularly • I would like parents/guardians to: • be involved and communicate with me as necessary • be available to your child when they ask for assistance or share their successes Contact Information Please feel free to contact me by phone at 245-7500 or by email at jobrien@tcrsb.ca.

2. Policy for Late Assignments A due date will be provided for each assignment. It is expected that the assignment will be completed and handed in appropriately. If a situation arises where work is not completed at on time, the following form will be filled out. No assignments will be accepted after the due date without this form attached. Example: Late Assignment Name of student: ________________________________ Name of assignment: ______________________________________________ It will be handed in on __________________________, or I will receive a zero for the assignment. ________ (Ms. O’Brien’s initials). Student Signature: ___________________________ Parent Signature: ___________________________ Policy for Assemblies and Presentations From time to time, class may be interrupted for assemblies and presentations designed to inform and enlighten the students on various topics. When this occurs it is important to remember that it is still class time, therefore, the expectation is that all students will report to the appropriate location and sit respectfully during the presentation. As part of the active citizenship curriculum for Global Politics12, credit will be awarded to students who attend and remain in presentations. If a student is absent the day of a presentation they will be excused from the assignment provided they are marked as “excused” in the school computer at the beginning of class. Policy for Plagiarism If at anytime I become aware of a student plagiarizing work, or not giving credit to the correct source, I will stop marking the assignment, inform the student and the parent and provide a late slip for resubmission of a new original piece of work. If the new piece is not handed in at the appropriate time, the student will receive a zero for that assignment. If the student hands in another piece which contains plagiarism, the student will receive a zero for the assignment and will not be permitted to resubmit.