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JCC Survey Course:
Assignments:
Current Events

 
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THE CURRENT EVENTS ASSIGNMENT IS BELOW THE SECTIONS LABELED:  Introduction, Part I and Part II which are included to provide specific websites and explanations.

Introduction

At this time, some of the best sites for accessing the Native Language and English Version of newspapers from other countries include:

National and International Newspapers

Online Newspapers   http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/

Select Continent and then a Country –the site will then go to the available publications from that country

International and National :          http://www.refdesk.com/paper.html

Newspapers In English                 http://www.thebigproject.co.uk/news/index.htm

Newspapers In original language  http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/languages/

Internet Public Library in English and original Language—easy to search

                                                         http://www.ipl.org/div/news/

These websites provide immediate access to publications throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, North America, South America. 

PART I

Perhaps what is most intriguing, informative and realistic is access to Newspapers in their native language.  Here is an example of a German Paper:

Bhuttos Sohn wird Parteichef: In dem nach dem Mord an Benazir Bhutto gebeutelten Pakistan zeichnet sich eine Verschiebung der Parlamentswahl ab. Die endgültige Entscheidung über den Wahltermin wird am Neujahrstag fallen.

Die pakistanischen Wahlkommission hat die für Montag angekündigte Entscheidung um einen Tag verschoben. Die Provinzregierungen und die regionalen Wahlkommissionen seien aufgefordert worden, die Kommission über die Situation in den verschiedenen Landesteilen zu unterrichten. "Wir erwarten die Berichte am Abend und werden am Dienstag entscheiden", sagte ein Sprecher.
 

You may observe that this is useless in its present format—therefore, use the translation service through Alta Vista Babel Fish http://world.altavista.com/tr  or go to http://www.google.com/   and to the right of the search box, click on "Language Tools".  YOU WILL FIND AN ARABIC TO ENGLISH option

By pasting the quote above in the translation box—here is the perspective from this publication in relatively acceptable English:

TRANSLATION

Bhuttos son becomes a party chief: In Pakistan gebeutelten after the murder at Benazir Bhutto appears a shift of the parliamentary election. The final decision over the choice date will fall at the New Year's Day. The electoral committee of Pakistan shifted for Monday the announced decision one day. The province governments and the regional electoral committees were requested to inform the commission about the situation in the different regions. "we expect the reports in the evening and on Tuesday will decide", said a speaker.

Part II

Visit   http://www.cartoonweb.com/

There are new political cartoons daily from all over the world and a marvelous archive for numerous well know political satirists.  IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS:      Click on any cartoonists, this will take you to a colorful page with numerous options including:  Views of the World, Regional Views, Wit of the World, Comment and Caricature and Business Views.   When you click on your TOPIC CHOICE,  you will open to one cartoon--ABOVE THAT CARTOON WILL BE A LINK IN THE LEFT CORNER "CARTOONS - AND THE TOPIC"  Click on this link to open up the archive of many (sometimes hundreds of cartoons).   OR

Here is another site:  www.cartoons.nytimages.com
   Go to the bottom of the page and click on Cartoon Arts Archive--on the page that opens you will have access to hundreds of cartoons-- type in the name of your country for the cartoons you seek..

 

Current Events Assignment

Due Date:           Each Part is worth 20 points.

I suggest you create a Word Document and cut/paste as much as possible.

QUESTION  I    (I suggest you use the sites described in the Introduction above)

Visit a major newspaper in the United States.  Select a current article related to a SIGNIFICANT Domestic Issue (related to an issue within the United States).   Recommended Sources for Part I include those cited above in the INTRODUCTION and the two listed below :

http://www.tdhah.com/site_files/Teacher_Resources/topics/current_events/primaryresources.php

http://www.tenbyten.org/10x10.html

·        Print the article and summarize its key points

·        Describe the issue/problem –this may require research external to the article.

·        Explain your personal concerns related to this issue

                                 QUESTION  II  (I suggest you use the sites described in the Introduction above)

Visit a major newspaper in the United States.  Select a current article related to a SIGNIFICANT Foreign Issue (related to an issue where a foreign country is affecting the United States).

·        Print the article and summarize its key points

·        Describe the issue/problem –this may require research external to the article.

·        Explain your personal concerns related to this issue

QUESTION  III  (Implement Process described in Part I above)

  • List the Country Assigned to You:  _______________________________

  • Visit a major newspaper from this country written in their native language.  Select a current article that appears to be about a significant current issue.

  • Cut and Paste or Print the article in the NATIVE LANGUAGE.

  • Go to Part I and utilize Babel Fish as described IN PART I--

  • PRINT YOUR RESULTS

  • IF NECESSARY--IN YOUR OWN WORDS EXPLAIN THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE AND (if appropriate) ANY DIFFERENCE OR SIMILARITY TO REPORTS IN THE AMERICAN PRESS.

QUESTION  IV   (Implement Process described in Part II above)

For this assignment, select two cartoons from the United States  as described below

1.  Select ONE cartoon related to a domestic issue (perhaps even related to the articles you read).  Print the Cartoon and explain the contents and message.

2.  Select ONE  cartoon related to a foreign issue (perhaps even related to the articles you read).  Print the Cartoon and explain the contents and message.

3.   Scroll Down to the bottom of the page at this site—Scroll Down to the bottom of the page at this site—select a political cartoons from TWO FOREIGN COUNTRIES--

  • ONE MUST BE FROM THE COUNTRY YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED (or if none available from your country select from a neighboring country on that continent)—Print and explain contents/message

  • Select ONE from another IMPORTANT COUNTRY (other than the United States)

    —Print and explain contents/message

QUESTION V 

1.  Provide a brief summary about the Country you have been assigned--location, geographic size, population, government, economy, current issues/problems etc.  (cite your source)

2.  Find three SIGNIFICANT current events articles about your country from the United States or the Foreign Press (from the past year or so)--Print and briefly explain issue/significance

3.  Visit this website and compare the Life Expectancy of the United States and your assigned country--record this data as part of your assignment  http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/

 

 

 
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