Waltham Public Schools

This student-driven course will examine events happening now that will affect our lives in the future. It will evaluate the impact news coverage and reporting have on our understanding of current national & world history. What sort of stories make it into the news and why? Who decides which stories are reported and from what angle? Students will investigate topics and recent events under the focus of a general topic of their choosing. Comparisons will also be made between recent news reports and similar past events on those same topics. Students will be required to read and watch daily reports to stay up-to-date with what is going on in society at that moment. Students will be asked to complete several critical analysis projects and assignments, culminating with a final point of view project at the end of the academic year.

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Media Literacy	September	What are the various types of news and media in society? What are the pros and cons of various media outlets? How does bias play a role in the reporting of the news?	Students will: Examine the various forms of Media Examine the various types and styles of News Analyze various news reports from various media outlets and determine biases
Political News & Issues	October	What are the various political parties and their beliefs? Is partisan politics and polarization of the parties a major issue for our political system? Can politicians be “trusted” anymore? Is the media too biased now based on political identity and can truly objective reporting be found anywhere anymore?	Students will: Examine the various political parties in the U.S. Analyze the difference between Liberal and Conservative Examine bias in Media in covering political news and elections
Economic Issues	November	What is the national budget and debt, and how does it affect ordinary citizens? What impact has globalization had on our national economy? Does the national economy work the same for everyone or is it different for different demographics of society?	Student will: Examine what the national budget and debt is Examine the globalization of the economy Research and analyze the impact of recessions and other economic issues on various demographics in society today
Commercialization of the News	December	What is advertising and what impact does it have on society? How has advertisement money impacted the reporting of the news?	Student will: Examine advertising in various media outlets (print & digital) Analyze the placement of particular news reports in conjunction to relative advertisements
Global Issues	January	What are the major global issues today? How do these issues impact both modernized and developing nations? What role does the U.S. play in addressing the issues of developing nations?	Students will: Examine various issues on a worldwide scale Analyze and compare the struggles of modernized and developing nations Examine the U.S.’s role in these other nations
Health/Medical Issues	February	What current diseases and epidemics are having an impact on the world? What role does the healthcare industry play in addressing these issues? Why are various diseases and epidemics addressed differently in different demographics of society?	Students will: Examine national and global epidemics Analyze impact of the healthcare industry in various demographics in society today
Social Change & Public Policy	March	What are the current social change and justice movements in society? What issues are these movements trying to address? What is the impact of public policies on these various issues and movements? How and when do public policies change? Why?	Students will: Examine and investigate various social change and social justice movements Analyze the impact of public policies on these various movements
Introspective: Issues Thru the Lens of Sports	April	How can we examine all types of issues through the lens of sports and athletics? What issues can we identify and try to address in sports and athletics? How could addressing these various issues in sports actually, in turn, benefit the changing of them in society?	Students will: Examine sports/athletics culture in various societies worldwide Investigate the various issues and topics previously discussed through an introspective look at sports/athletics culture in society
Violence & the Media	May	How often does the media report violent or criminal matters in the news? What is the philosophy behind focusing on violent and criminal issues in the news? What does it mean when they say “if it bleeds, it leads?” Why does it benefit the media to report violent or criminal news that way?	Students will: Examine and discuss the treatment of violent/criminal news in various media outlets Investigate and analyze the philosophy behind the reporting and leading with these types of news stories Discuss and debate the benefits of the media reporting violent and criminal news
Current News Issues & Review	June	What current issues in society today directly affect you? How would you like to see one of those issues addressed and what impact would it have on you and general society?	Students will: Review the issues we covered throughout the course of the academic year Examine and discuss current news reports and issues going on at that moment Research and analyze a current issue of their choosing, design and create a final project on the topic

Current Issues