Unit 3: International Affairs

Current Affairs Assignment

Reason:
One of the main goals of the Civics course at Longfields is to encourage
students to become increasingly aware of events taking place within Canada
and around the globe. Becoming an informed citizen is the first step towards
acquiring a sense of purpose: the second step is to develop a plan of action
to effect positive change in the world in which we live.

Let’s get informed! Each student is encouraged to increase his level of

informed understanding of international events and to share his newly
acquired perspectives with his peers.

Task:
Students will select an article based on a local, provincial, federal, or
international issue and present facts and opinions to the class in a 5-7 minute
presentation. Attention will be given to the reasons why we should be
informed on the issue, the sources of information behind the story, and
connections to the broader discussion of Canadian citizenship.

You will need to choose either an article, or an essay, or a commentary

dating no more than 2 months old. Be sure to keep a record of the
information that documents your issue.

You will present your current affair to your peers in our Civics course in the
class time provided. Presentations will include:

1. a visual component (including but not limited to a very brief video clip,
still photo, map)
2. a succinct answer to each question below
3. an opinion based question to ask the class upon conclusion of the
presentation
(Could one of these possibly appear on the unit test?)

Category I (the article)—Answer all of these questions in your

presentation.
a) What is the issue at the center of the article?
b) Who are the people involved in the news story?
c) Where is this event taking place?
d) When does this event take place?

Category II (the issue)—Answer the following questions in your

presentation
1. What do you personally think of the article and the issue that it
covers?
2. Why is this event/issue taking place
a. Is this a “cause and effect” story? If so, continue on to “b.”
b. What is the cause and effect behind this story?
3. Why should anyone in this class care about your selected topic?
 4. How does your article make the reader “care” about the issue?

Have fun with this assignment. Choose an issue that you are truly
interested in or a topic that you honestly want to learn more about.
The more interested you are in your topic, the better (and easier)
your presentation will be.
 Marking Rubric

Knowledge/Understanding
Degree of insight from the article
o What is the issue at the center of the article? ( 0
1 2) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
o Who are the people involved in the news story? ( 8 9 10
0 1 2 3)
o Where is this event taking place? ( 0 1 2)
o When does this event take place? ( 0 1 2 )
o General feeling of confidence with material ( 0
1)

Thinking/Inquiry
Category II questions
o What do you think of your selection’s issue? ( 0 1 2 3 ) 0 1 2 3 4 5
o What are the values of your choice? ( 0 1 2 ) 6 7
o What are the limitations of your choice? ( 0 1 2 )

o Ability to relate your issue back to the audience ( 0 1 2 3 )

o Makes audience care for your issue ( 0 1 2 ) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
o Makes a compelling argument ( 0 1 2 3 4 5 ) 8 9 10
o Do you have an opinion ( 0 1 )
o What do you think should be done to solve or alleviate the
issue (0 1 2 3 4 )
o Level of critical analysis (opinion) (0 1 2 3 ) 0 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8

Application
Visual is present and relevant

Question (with personal answer) – Is it thought out, 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

thought provoking, and engaging 8 9 10

Communication
Presentation Technique
o Voice & body language reveal enthusiasm & interest in issue 0 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
o Strength of eye contact, volume, clarity, intonation
0 1 2 3 4 5
6 7