CAP 026 - Contemporary World Problems

Credits: 2.5
LEC hours per week: 2.500
This course is designed for students seeking an adult high school diploma through the High School 21 Program, students studying for the GED exam, and students seeking educational enrichment. In this course, students will investigate a current world issue in depth; the issue will vary by quarter according to instructor and/or student interest. Course content will focus on understanding the historic, geographic, and economic context of the current world issue and how it intersects with questions of human rights, environmental change, globalization, and civic action. This course is designed to prepare students for a successful transition to college-level courses and/or to pass the GED , and places an emphasis on acquiring reading, writing, math, and computer skills, and developing the behaviors and values relevant to a successful transition into higher education and the labor market. Students who successfully complete this course will earn a High School 21 credit in Social Studies; students can earn an additional credit in English if they demonstrate the requisite competencies in reading and writing. All students under 19 years of age must have a signed release from the last school they attended. Students 16-17 years of age must first be admitted to the College following the Alternative Education Program (AEP) eligibility or Underage Admissions policy, which is available in the High School Programs office. Formerly: ABE 026.
Course Outcomes:

Evaluate the geographic, historic, and economic context of a current world issue.
Evaluate arguments presented in diverse media formats. (CCRS R5-9)
Comprehend a variety of texts; summarize key supporting details, and cite specific textual evidence. (CCRS R1, 2, and 10)
Create logical arguments and cite evidence using logical and valid reasoning. (CCRS W1 and 9)
Produce clear and coherent writing in which development, organization, and style is appropriate to the task while using an academic writing process. (CCRS W2, 3, 4 and 5)
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects, assessing the credibility of sources, integrating information, and citing relevant sources. (CCRS W7, 8, and 9)
Perform basic mathematical computations, including data represented in charts and graphs.
Use technology skills for academic purposes; including word processing and learning managements systems and to increase background knowledge, access information, and enhance scholarship.
Students will show proficiency at level D in Reading based on the Career and College Readiness standards anchors 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 (use reading rubric to determine competency).
Students will show proficiency at Level D in Writing based on the Career and College Readiness standards anchors 1, 2, 4, 5, 6,7,8, and 9 (use rubric to determine competency).
Students will show proficiency at level B in Math based on the Career and College Readiness standards anchors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (use math rubric to determine competency).

Course Topics:

Current world issues (topics will vary), and economic, historic, and geographic context
Human rights, environmental change, civic action, and globalization
Graphic representations of information
Understanding data sets and performing basic calculations
Reading comprehension and writing skills
Computer fundamentals including keyboarding, MS Word, learning management system, and internet searches