Weekly Current Event Assignment

Mr. Falkowski & Miss Hansen ~ American Government (T2)

Each Friday this trimester, we have spent the first portion of class learning about the
weeks most popular news stories. Many of these current events highlight the ideas and
concepts we have been discussing in class. Starting Friday January 29th, our class will begin
a trimester-long current event project. This project will require you to research and interpret a
current event developing at either the local, state, national or international level. The purpose
of this assignment is for you to take the concepts we learn in government class and apply them
to things that are happening around you. The details, requirements and point distribution for
this assignment are included below.
You will only be required to sign-up to present once this trimester. Three to four
students will present their current event each week. You must choose a current event from a
reputable source, write a reflection on your article (one page minimum) and be prepared to
conduct a 2-3 minute presentation on your current event during class on the day you signed
up for. This assignment will be worth 40 points total.
In your reflection you must:
1. Give a brief description of your current event (about a paragraph) [10 points]
Think about the who, what, when, where, why
What have the reactions been to this event? Make sure to include perspectives
from a variety of individuals/groups in your reflection.
2. Connect your current event to at least one of the five limits of government [15 points]:
Rule of Law
Due Process
Self-Government
Limited Government
Constitution
3. Connect your current event to at least two course concepts (e.g., Separation of
Powers, Checks and Balances, Sovereignty, Judicial Powers, or Inalienable
Rights) [15 points].
Available Presentation Dates:
Friday January 29th
Friday February 5th
Friday February 12th
Friday February 19th
Friday February 26th
Friday March 4th
Friday March 11th
*Sign-up sheet has been uploaded to Moodle for each hour (refer to this list)
*Google Doc editing for the sign-up sheet will be closed Tuesday January 19th. If you need to
change your current event date after January 19th, please see Miss Hansen.
National Level References:

http://www.cnn.com
http://www.foxnews.com
http://www.heritage.org
http://www.nytimes.com
https://www.washingtonpost.com
Local Level References:
http://www.mlive.com/ann-arbor/#/0
https://www.michigandaily.com