Understanding the Times: A Worldview Course (Second Semester)

Contact:  
Kristi Lockwood
krlockwood6@gmail.com

Course Time:
This course is offered on Thursdays.

Please note, this is a one semester/.5 credit course
that is only offered in the SECOND SEMESTER.


Course Pre-Requisites:

• This course is open to 9th-12th grade students.

Course Text: (provided via $30 lab fee)

• Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews
  The content for this course is fully digital.
  The course fee will go toward purchase of a student license.

Course Description:

(From the publisher)  Our world revolves around ideas.

Politicians, military leaders, CEOs, media moguls, and academics may think they are in charge of world affairs, but what they think—the ideas in their heads—actually control them. Ideas are the guiding force behind every twist and turn in public opinion.  They determine what we accept or reject in the arts, media, business, science, education, politics, family, church, and the list goes on endlessly.  We cannot understand what’s going on in the world until we look below the surface at the ideas that influence our beliefs and behaviors.  These ideas can be grouped into six major worldviews.

This curriculum is about the ideas that construct our worldviews.

Everyone has a worldview, which helps them interpret what is happening around them. Christianity has an explanation for reality, but so does Islam, Secularism, Marxism, New Spirituality, and Postmodernism. Each of these worldviews is founded upon a pattern of interconnected ideas. These worldviews dictate (consciously or unconsciously) how we
interpret and respond to issues like stem-cell research, abortion, transgenderism, human rights, poverty, technology, etc.

Course Class Time:

• Class time will be devoted to enrichment activities and discussion
  of the previous week’s readings and videos.

• A short quiz will be given at the beginning of each class session.

Course Homework Requirements:

• Weekly homework will consist of reading the assigned selection,
  watching a short video, and answering chapter discussion questions.

Late Policy:

• In order to receive full credit work must be received by midnight of the due date.  

• Half credit given if received by midnight, Wednesday, of the following week.

• Zero points given if received after that, except in case of illness, or if other arrangements  have been made.

Grading:

• 30%  participation

• 20%  quizzes

• 30%  unit tests

• 20%  homework

• Participation is vital in a class such as this.  Participation means coming to class
  prepared and engaging with the tutor and fellow students about the ideas and 
  concepts covered in that week's homework.

• Students will take a unit/chapter test approximately every other week using Schoology.

Specific Requirements / Supplies:

• As most of the homework for this course will be completed via the
  Understanding the Times app/website, a computer or laptop running
  Google Chrome (specifically) or an iPad/iOS device is required for this course.

• notebook or three-ring binder for taking notes in-class