GEP - Current Events Email - March 01, 2008

+ archive

Dear Teacher:

As a recipient of World Savvy's Current Affairs Update, every two weeks you will receive a set of resources for 3 major recent news stories, including articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. If you are interested in teaching a larger unit on a specific issue, please contact us for support.

Topic 1: Fidel Castro Announces Retirement

Advanced Article: www.miamiherald.com
Intermediate Article: abcnews.go.com
Beginning Article: news.bbc.co.uk

Background Article:
Cuba – Key Facts: news.bbc.co.uk

Primary Source:
Letter from Fidel Castro Announcing his Resignation: www.granma.cu

Discussion Questions:

1. What country’s leader recently announced his retirement plans? Who is set to succeed him?
2. What is Fidel Castro’s stated reason for resigning? Why is his retirement significant?
3. What might Fidel Castro’s retirement mean for different populations within the United States? (consider different perspectives, such as the government’s, Cuban exiles’, the business community’s, etc.)
4. To what political and economic ideology does Fidel Castro adhere? How has this economic and political position affected Cuba’s international relations?
5. For both the United States and Cuba, research some various economic and socioeconomic factors (e.g. GDP per capita, literacy rates, infant mortality rates). Now compare these results (you might want to think about using graphs to illustrate this information). What effect, if any, do you think the political and economic systems of these two countries has on their economic and socioeconomic indicators?

Curriculum:

1. Revolution in Cuba – 1959-1970: Read it now >>
2. NY Times: A Teach-in on Cuba: Read it now >>
3. The US Trade Embargo on Cuba: Read it now >>
4. US-Cuba Relations: Read it now >>

California Standards:

Government: 12.9 - Comparative Government
World History: 10.9 – the Cold War, 10.10 – Contemporary Nation Building, 10.11 – Modern World Economy
U.S. History: 11.9- Foreign Policy post WWII

+ back to top

---

Topic 2: Kosovo Declares Independence from Serbia

Advanced Article: www.economist.com
Intermediate Article: www.cnn.com
Beginning Article / ESL: www.breakingnewsenglish.com

Background Article:
How Yugoslavia Vanished from Maps: news.bbc.co.uk

Discussion Questions:

1. From which country did Kosovo declare its independence? What country was Kosovo a part of before 1999?
2. Kosovo has been a protectorate of what entity since 1999? What event caused Kosovo to be a protectorate, instead of just a province of Serbia?
3. Which nations have supported Kosovo’s independence? Which nations have spoken out against it? Why do you think this is true? Do you see any parallels to past political alignments? Why might Russia in particular be concerned about the ratification of Kosovo’s independence?
4. Why do you think the former nation of Yugoslavia continues to break up into smaller and smaller nations? Be sure to research the history and creation of Yugoslavia.
5. What factors do you think are necessary to create an independent nation? Consider the role of culture, ethnicity, geography, and economics. What are some other important aspects?

Curriculum:

1. Independence in Kosovo - click here for PDF
2. Yours, Mine, and Ours - Determining Boundaries: Read it now >>
3. State of Independence – Examining the Quest for Independence in Different Territories: Read it now >>
4. NY Times: A Picture Changes a 100 Minds: Read it now >>

California Standards

World History: 10.10 – Contemporary Nation Building
U.S. History: 11.9 - Foreign Policy post WWII
History and Language Arts skills: Point of View and Historical Investigation, Persuasive Writing

+ back to top

---

Topic 3: President Bush Visits Africa to Promote Health Initiatives

Advanced Articled: abcnews.go.com
Intermediate Article: www.nytimes.com
Beginning Article: www.pbs.org

Discussion Questions:

1. Which countries did President Bush visit during his tour of Africa?
2. What themes was President Bush hoping to emphasize during his visit?
3. Why have many criticized President Bush for neglecting to address various conflicts, such as those in Kenya and Sudan, during his visit to Africa? (Intermediate article)
4. What was the response by many people in Africa during Bush’s trip? Why do you think this is so?
5. What are some of the programs that Bush has helped to bring to Africa?
6. How much do you believe the president of the United States should focus on international issues? To what degree should the president’s time and energy be spent on things like state visits? Is it more important to visit some countries than others? If so, what criteria would you use to determine a nation’s level of importance?

Curriculum:

1. Africa Today: Read it now >>
2. Diplomatic Duties – Analyzing the Development of American Foreign Policy: Read it now >>
3. Assessing Africa - Examining Issues in Africa and Responses By Local Countries and the International Community: Read it now >>
4. Rwanda – A Nation Recovering and Rebuilding: Read it now >>

California Standards:

World History: 10.10 – Contemporary Nation Building
U.S. History: 11.9 - Foreign Policy post WWII
Government: 12.7 – Powers of National Government

+ back to top

---