Current Events Assignment
Name _______________________________________
The purpose of this assignment is to:
 Allow you to develop an awareness of current political, economic, social and geographic issues
 Practice evaluating viewpoints and asking geographic questions relevant to current issues in our society
 Apply key spatial concepts of human geography to examine human organization of space
Assignment:
1. Select a newsworthy article from an approved news site.
2. Write a one-paragraph summary of the article
3. In the second paragraph, explain why and how this event relates to course content with regards to political
geography.
a. Why is it geographically important?
b. Consider the effects it will have on the community, population, urban/rural development,
environment, etc. Make sure you are applying key concepts of the unit.
4. Write a paragraph explaining the effects of the events on multiple scales: local, regional, national, world.
5. Write a paragraph explaining why you selected this article and take a position on the event by rationalizing
your opinion.
In total, you will be writing 4 paragraphs.
This assignment is worth 24 points. You much attach a copy of the article with your paper as well as this sheet.
Your current events assignment should be typed. You should write in complete sentences and please check your
spelling. If you have any concerns or questions about this assignment, please see me prior to its due date.
Approved Sources:
*New York Times
*Time Magazine
*NPR
*Newsweek
*Washington Post/Washington Times
*The Economist
*BBC
*National Geographic
*Wall Street Journal
Other upon teacher approval
Follow me on twitter @sbhshumangeog, as I will tweet out articles associated with human geography.
Current Events Rubric:
Paragraph
3
2
1
1
I have a very good
understanding of your article
I have a partial understanding
of your article
I completely understand how
this article relates to course
content
I completely understand the
effects of this event on
multiple scales.
I completely understand why
you selected this article
I partially understand how
this article relates to course
content
I partially understand the
effects of this event on
multiple scales
I partially understand why
you selected this article
I have little to no
understanding of your
article
I am not completely
sure how this relates to
course content
I do not understand the
effects of this event on
multiple scales
I am not sure why you
selected this article
2
3
4
Points
Earned
Total
________x2=_________/24
______/3
______/3
______/3
______/3
_____/12