Period 3 -- Wednesday, 2/23/11

Today we will take another look at a couple of the current events affecting our world.

Open up a new e-mail to me. Put "Period 3 Current Events" in the subject line. Begin your e-mail with a greeting (ex: "Dear Mr. Ramin). Then, use it to complete today's assignment.

First, Chicago has a new mayor. View this short clip of Emanuel's acceptance speech at NBC5's website, then answer the question below in your e-mail to me.

1. What does Emanuel talk about in the clip?
2. What does the article tell you about Emanuel's background?
3. What enabled Emanuel to win?

Then, we will examine the events currently happening in Libya.

Part 1: Background
Use the CIA World Factbook page on Libya to answer the questions below.

1. Describe Libya's relative location.
2. Describe the physical geography of Libya.
3. Who is Libya's leader? Describe his relationship with foreign countries, especially the United States.
4. Give a few facts about the people of Libya.

Part 2: Current Events
Libya is currently experiencing a revolution. Use the New York Times page on Libya to find out about this revolution.

1. Briefly describe what led to the current revolution.
2. Describe what has been happening over the past several days.
3. Choose one of the articles below "The Protests" section. Type the headline for the article, then summarize what the article tells you about the current situation in Libya and/or the world's reaction to it.

Friday, 2/18/11 Homework

This weekend, read pp. 468-469 in your textbook. Use them to complete the questions below on loose leaf. Each question is worth 5 points, and the assignment is worth a total of 15 points. It is due on your desk at the beginning of Monday's class.

Each question will take you approximately 3-5 sentences to answer.

1. What specific challenges did African nations face when they became independent from their European colonizers?
2. What impact did the new international borders have on governments?
3. Why is their "cause for hope" in Africa's future?

Africa's Natural Resources -- A Curse??

As a follow-up to our lesson in class today, you will read an article and answer some related questions about natural resources and their use in Africa. The article's author poses an interesting, and controversial question: Are Africa's natural resources a curse?

The article is entitled "Africa's Resource Curse." The link should take you to a pdf file. The first two pages are the article. The third contains 8 questions related to the article. Answer each question on loose leaf paper. This assignment is worth 20 points and is due on your desk at the start of Thursday's class. You do not have to print out the article or the questions, but you may do so if you find that it is easier.

Remember: We will have a test on Friday. It will include all information we have covered in the Africa unit. Check back later for a complete list of what will be on the test, as well as study recommendations.

Please do not hesitate to e-mail me if you have questions.

Current Events Summaries

Complete the following for homework this weekend:

We've been following two major current events this quarter: the protests in Egypt and the Chicago mayoral election.

This weekend, watch the news and read the paper. For each event, choose one article or news story.

Record the name for the story. Then, for each topic, write one 3-5 sentence paragraph summarizing the event. Remember the format examples given in class.

Each summary paragraph is worth 8 points. Format is worth 4 points. The assignment is worth 20 points total.

Extra Credit Assignment

Go to The New York Times' Egypt page. Read through the information it tells you about Egypt's history and the current protests.

Send me an e-mail with the following information by 10:00 tonight for 5 points extra credit.

• Name Egypt's president. Explain how he came to power and tell a little bit about his time in office.
• Describe some of the reasons behind the current protests in Egypt.

This should take you a minimum of 5 sentences to complete.

Tuesday, 2/8/2011 Homework

For tonight, you will answer the following questions as a review of Ch. 19.5. Complete them on loose leaf paper. They are due on your desk at the start of tomorrow's class. Each question will take at least 3-5 sentences to answer. The assignment is worth 10 points.

1. Define apartheid, then summarize its effects on South Africa.
2. Describe the significance of Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk.
3. Agree or disagree with the following statement: Apartheid helped South Africa's economy. Support your response with information from the text.

Welcome back!

Your annotated bibliography rough drafts are due 10 minutes into Tuesday's class period. Your final PowerPoints are due Thursday by the end of the class period. We will be in the computer lab on Tuesday and Thursday.