Global Studies Elective

The focus of this course is to develop an awareness of global issues and to help students learn how they can make a difference in our world. Because there are so many different issues, this course will predominately focus on consumption as the main theme, with water and food being the sub themes. Students will be involved with a global fund raising project to raise money for Ryan's Well and a local fundraising project for our local food bank. This course will also have many community members coming into the classroom to speak on various local and global issues. The course will finish with each student completing a major project which will be presented to the class.

Evaluation in this course includes:

Participation: 20%
Assignments: 40%
Major Project: 20%
Fundraising: 10%

That's all folks...

We had the privilege to have Zac Whyte come into our class and speak to students about consumption and recycling. His talk fit in very well well with what we have been studying in class. Students were captivated by his stories and his enthusiasm. In two short hours, Zac had a number of students proclaim..."Zac is my hero, I am so inspired by his stories." In fact, the class decided to donate half their fundraising efforts to any cause close to Zack's heart.

Zac Whyte at Isfeld

We wrapped up the film addicted to Plastic and finished watching the Ryan's Well film. For me, Ryan's story helped show what one person can do when they take a cause into their heart. And yes, even young people can make a difference.

Ryan's well Project


Assignments

Our final assignment includes the What Have I Learned piece which should focus on your learning both big and small throughout this class. This assignment should be 1 page in length.

Please note: Any student who did not complete the fundraising assigment should choose to do an essay topic on an environmental issue. This should be a formal research essay two pages in length and should include rough notes and a bibliography.

link to Environmental issues

Investigation Assignment

Outline: With this assignment, you will be given 2-3 classes to investigate further a Global Studies Issue. It is expected that you will write in your own words ( like you would do in a research assignment). I want to know what new things you have learned about your topic. Please include a list of resources which will likely be a list of websites or short film clips.

Expected Length: The length of this piece should be around 2 pages typed. Make sure you fully explain your topic as you understand it.

Topic ideas: world hunger, Monsanto, famine in Africa, water resources, organizations working on solving water issues, child labor, coal mines, pollution, plastic water bottles, global warming, doctors without borders, health issues in third world countries, having too much stuff, climate change issues, oil spills and their effects on the ocean. You can type in Global Issues into Google and see what comes up. Please have your topic approved by the teacher to make sure it fits.

Marks: This assignment should be written in your own words from your understanding of what you are reading/researching. It is worth 25 marks.

Week of November 28

Students have been helping to organize the Christmas Hamper program for the local food bank. We distributed hampers last week and all TA's are encouraged to assign students to each bring in one food item. We have also began group fundraising projects in order to raise money for Ryan's Well, which is a water project in Africa. This week we are also watching a film on food and where it comes from.

The Week of Nov. 14

Students have viewed "The Story of Stuff" on youtube, we discussed the concept of consumption in class. The next class we viewed the ever famous, " Lorax" by Dr. Suess, and students were asked to complete a visual representation of consumption. We will continue looking at ways we can make a difference over the next several classes.

Introduction to Global Studies

The focus of this course is to develop an awareness of global issues and to help students learn how they can make a difference in our world. Because there are so many different issues, this course will predominately focus on consumption as the main theme, with water and food being the sub themes. Students will be involved with a global fund raising project to raise money for Ryan's Well and a local fundraising project for our local food bank. This course will also have many community members coming into the classroom to speak on various local and global issues. The course will finish with each student completing a major project which will be presented to the class.

Evaluation in this course includes:

Participation: 20%
Assignments: 40%
Major Project: 30%
Fundraising: 10%