Current Events Portfolio

The cornerstone of the Current Events class is the production of a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of documents that are related to a central idea or theme. Your portfolio will consist of:  16 Event Sheets - each Event Sheet will be typed into a template, numbered and put in order.  Two Draft Research Papers – these are your drafts of the your final papers. Each draft should be edited by your team and should reflect the edits.  Two Final Research Papers – these are the final editions of your research papers and should be of the highest possible quality.

Event Sheets

The main purpose of the event sheets if to identify AT LEAST ONE news event each week that is worth consideration for inclusion as a research topic.

The event sheets allow you to consider:  The importance of the event  The relevance of the event to society  The connection of the event to a broader topic  The likelihood that the topic and event can be fully researched

I will email each of you a template. You will use this template each time you complete an Event Sheet.

Research

 Using your event sheets, select an event / topic that is important enough to be worthy of our time and attention. Significant topics are topics / issues that are important enough to be relevant to the nation as a whole. These are all going to be big topics and covered extensively by major news sources and scholarly experts.

Key Ideas: 1. In our modern media world there are a lot of stories that get attention but aren’t relevant to our nation politically or culturally. 2. Appropriate topics will get a great deal of coverage from the major and legitimate news sources: big newspapers, national television news, NPR, major news magazines, etc. 3. Local news is not likely to be helpful. 4. Legitimate news sources are easy to find and most have an on-line presence.

 Domestic topics relate to what happens in the U.S.  International topics relate to what happens in other parts of the world.

Your research must include AT LEAST:

 4 News sources relevant to the catalyst event OR to the larger topic associated with the event  AT LEAST one academic / scholarly article that is directly related to the topic  Documentation of your research by creating an Abstract for each source

An abstract is a roughly ¼ page (typed with a small font) overview of the information from the source. There is an example of a source abstract at the end of this document.

Research Paper Requirements A research paper is a formal document used in academic fields to communicate a variety of possible information. In this class, your research papers will demonstrate your level of research, your understanding of a topic based on your use of research and your ability to link the topic to society by presenting a logical argument for the topics significance.

Each of your TWO research papers are expected to:

 Include a minimum of one citation from a news source  Include a minimum of one citation from an academic / scholarly source  Be 4 – 6 pages in length  Use an approved academic font and format  Present a sound argument for the significance of the topic to society

Citations: A citation is note in parentheses ( ) in the body of an academic / scholarly paper or book that credits the source for the idea that is discussed at the spot where the citation appears.

Citations are important for legal reasons. Beyond the simple issues of academic dishonesty – claiming an idea is yours when someone else originated it – copyright laws protect published works. A copyright gives a person legal ownership of “intellectual property.” A student can’t steal this property just like we can’t steal someone’s wallet.

We are going to use a modification of in text or embedded citations. At the end of the sentence with the material you are citing, place a set of parentheses and include the citation.

 For news citations: The name and date of the publication. This works for both print editions and on-line editions. For example, you choose to cite a quote from a New York Times story about the civil conflict in Syria.

“extremist groups are carving out pockets of territory that are becoming havens for Islamist militants, posing what United States and Western intelligence officials say may be developing into one of the biggest terrorist threats in the world today.” (New York Times 8/9//2013)

 For scholarly citations: The name of the author and the page number.

“American political leaders have created an environment that fosters extremism by playing favorites in the Middle Eastern policies.” (Smith, 28)

Because we are using the abstract system, you DO NOT need a bibliography.

Sample Abstract

New York Times on-line http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/world/middleeast/as-foreign-fighters-flood-syria-fears-of-a-new-extremist- haven.html?hp&_r=0 August 9, 2013 This story explained in detail how the continuing civil conflict in Syria has led to an increase in the number of extremist groups operating in Syria. The story provided background about the conflict in Syria. An important part of the background provided was a discussion of how the conflict began as what seemed like a simple effort of citizens to overthrow a dictator but has become a much more complicated conflict. The article also included important information indicating that the non-involvement of the USA and other nations may have led to the current environment. Because of the civil conflict, Syria has become a land without real law enforcement or other forms of government action. The Islamic extremist groups have moved into Syria and may be using these new bases for training terrorists and planning terror operations.

What you turn in on the first portfolio due date:

 All marked (my mark, initials and notes) Event Sheets  Your DRAFT paper  Your FINAL paper  Your Abstracts Page(s)

What you turn in on the second portfolio due date:

 EVERYTHING from the first due date  A divided page between the first set of portfolio materials and the second set  All marked (my mark, initials and notes) Event Sheets for the second set  Your DRAFT paper #2  Your FINAL paper #2  Your Abstracts Page(s) #2