Social Issues
Paul Parris
Morris High School
INTRODUCTION
There are many social issues facing our society and government today. These issues are often very controversial in nature, were there are opponents and proponents of these issues. As a government class and future voters in coming elections it is important that you become aware of these issues. Furthermore, it is essential for us as a society to ask future politicians and elected officials important questions concerning these issues. Therefore, we will take a look at these issues and the reasons why there are controversial to broaden your knowledge base of these important issues.
Your task is to select one of the major issues from
the list below and create a PowerPoint presentation to present to the class.
Issues/ Topic
Affirmative Action AbortionTeen
Pregnancy Education
Death Penalty School
Vouchers Gun Control
Aids Abortion Internet
Social Security Teen
Violence Racial
Profiling
Campaign Finance Reform
Students will be able to:
1.
Create
a PowerPoint presentation using Microsoft Office 98.
2.
Conduct
research via the internet
3.
Use
the TIPS website as a research tool.
4.
Discuss
and evaluate major issues in the country today.
5.
Articulate
both sides of the issue pertaining your topic.
a.
Pro
and Con
b.
Identify
individuals and organizations that have a vested interest in your issue.
6.
Explain
how these issues affect the lives of Americans.
a.
Minorities
b.
White
America
Objective: The objective of this project is to have students
use technology as a research tool in order to receive a greater understanding
of the many social issues facing government and society today and in the
future.
Before the Webquest was distributed there were
several lessons discussing these issues.
This project is a culmination of a unit in Participation In Government.
Each student was given the following outline to
guide them in developing their PowerPoint presentation.
I.
Develop
and Introduction
II.
Give
information about your topic
a.
Pictures
b.
Sounds
c.
Explain
why your topic is important in the country and to every day citizens
d.
Identify
individuals, groups, and organizations that are involved in your topic. State their opinions/ stance
e.
Give
statistics and data to support your research.
III.
state
your position on the topic and state why you have taken this position.
www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.htm
Other search engines maybe used to search for
information pertaining to your topic
(yahoo.com, aol.com, and netscape.com).
Student’s assessment will be based upon their use of
PowerPoint (did each?
Student incorporates skills learned during PowerPoint
lesson). Also did
Students follow the guidelines and incorporated
important data relevant to their topic. New York
State Standards for Participation and Government will also be used to evaluate
students’ product.
Students will use a variety of intellectual skills
to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing
governments, governmental system of the United States and other nations; the
United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional
democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship,
including avenues of participation.