Exploring Contemporary Issues 5B: Fall 2008

Instructor:       Nance Koike                             Class:               Monday-Friday; 1:30 – 2:20     

Email:               nkoike@bellevuecollege.edu      Office Hours:   by appointment (Office – C 227)

Course Description

This class will help you develop skills in reading, speaking, listening, note-taking, research, and team work by actively engaging in the exploration of a variety of current issues and topics. In lieu of a textbook, we will utilize articles from newspapers, magazines and the Internet.  The topics will serve as a foundation for other extended activities that will involve researching issues, listening to lectures, taking notes, presenting information, initiating discussions with your classmates, and conducting out-of-class surveys.

Course Outcomes

• Identify issues
• Research, analyze, and present an issue
• Work effectively in groups
• Take effective lecture notes
• State opinions and beliefs
• Paraphrase and summarize
• Evaluate the effectiveness of presentations by others and by self
• Initiate and participate in discussions
• Answer and ask questions related to lectures, presentations and readings

Class Format

In this class we will listen to lectures, research various topics, read about and discuss topics and give both individual and group presentations. 

Attendance

• Attendance and participation are critical for success in this class. Any hour that a student is not in class will be counted as an absence. Students who miss class 12 times will receive a grade of “F.” Students who miss 10 or 11 times will receive a grade of “D”. Three (3) tardies  of 5 minutes or more will equal 1 absence.

• When you are absent from class, it is your job to find out what you missed.  You can contact me or another classmate to get this information. Keep in mind that the speaking and listening components of the class cannot be made up except in exceptional cases. Assignments should be handed in on the due date. Late assignments will lose 10% for each day that they are late. Two days after the due date, an assignment will no longer be accepted.

Grading

In order to pass this class, students must achieve a 75% or higher class average.  The following grading scale will be used:

• Oral Presentations                                                                                50%

      (including quality of work, effective delivery, and

team work)

• Listening Assessments                                                                           50%                

You will receive a letter grade based on these percentages:

            93-100%           A

            84-92%            B

            75-83%            C

            Below 75%       D (repeat level; satisfactory effort)

                                    F (repeat level; unsatisfactory effort)

Classroom Expectations

During class, please keep your cell phones off, speak English only to your classmates and instructor, and be active in participating in classroom activities.  Be respectful of differences among your classmates and teachers.

Fall Calendar

No classes:                               October 29, Nov. 11, 27 28

TOEFL                                      Nov. 14

Last class day                           December 1

(This class does not meet on Tues. Dec. 2)

Speaking/Listening Final           December 3 1:30 – 2:20

EOQ party                                December 3 2:30

Special Needs                        

If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation; please make an appointment with DRC (Disability resource Center.) If you would like to inquire about becoming a DRC student, you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DRC program office in B132.

Other

Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Student Procedures and Expectations www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp for all other information.

Exploring Contemporary Issues

Tentative Schedule

	Dates	Activities
Week 1	Sept. 22-26	Lectures/discussions
Week 2	Sept. 29- Oct. 3	Lectures/discussions
Week 3	Oct. 6-10	presentations
Week 4	Oct. 13-17	Lectures/discussions
Week 5	Oct. 20-24	Lectures/ discussions
Week 6	Oct. 27-31	Lecture/discussions
Week 7	Nov. 3-7	presentations
Week 8	Nov. 10-14	Lectures/discussions
Week 9	Nov. 17-21	Lectures/discussions
Week 10	Nov. 24-28	Final Presentations
Week 11	Dec. 1  (Monday)-----------------	Last class day (Final Exam Dec. 2 : 2:30-3:20)