Current+Events+in+East+Asia

Knowing what is going on in the region around us is very important to our understanding. For this reason each of you is to do a class presentation, not to exceed 15 minutes, on an important and newsworthy issue or event impacting on the region. You may choose from a vast array of topics including politics, economics, geography, entertainment and even sports (assuming that these last two are newsworthy). News worthy means that the issue being examined has impact beyond its own parameters. For example, a political decision made by President Lee that supports maintaining a 70/30 split of foreign passport holders to Korean passport holders at international schools clearly impacts on the lives of many people in your world. On the other hand, Korea's participation in a international soccer event in Kuwait might have little impact to anyone's lives except for those soccer fans supporting this team. Of course, that same story, spun in a way that explores Korean nationalism and the lengths that they go to express it might be of more importance.

Your grade will be determined by the following criteria.
 * **Description of issue** is brief but succinct. - An account is made describing why the issue is occurring. Thus, some kind of background, or history of the current event is provided. Presenter is able to respond to any questions asked pertaining to this story and its general theme of importance. Value: 4 points
 * **A visual is provided that aids in communicating your news story.** This should be done in[| prezi] This program is specifically for speaking and using visuals in a creative/informative way. This allows classmates to follow along, and to take notes. Students should be given time to ask questions during or at the end of your presentation. Value: 4 points.
 * **Presentation voice and body language**. Student can speak without the aid of written material (meaning: reading from a prepared text) in a confident, natural manner about their selected issue. They demonstrate enthusiasm and are able to 'engage' their audience. Use of eye contact is essential. Look at us when you are talking to us. Value: 4 points.
 * **Defense of story's newsworthiness.** The "Why we should care and know about this issue?" is answered and defended in a convincing fashion. The defense could include how the event impacts on a significant portion of a nation or region, has international ramifications, is linked directly to our units of study (i.e. issues relating to geography, philosophy, history, conflict, cooperation and political-economy) or is of such significance to our immediate community that knowledge of it is essential to just being alive. Value: 4 points
 * **Followed instructions above and handed in, or otherwise shared their //Current Events Form.//** Be sure that you understand that the form is very important to informing me that you actually know something about your event, and that you have learned something. Value: 4 points.
 * Current Events Form: [[file:Current Events Form.pages]]
 * **Total: /20 points (This is worth 15% of your grade)**

The example below will be done in class. [|**Korea's birthrate sees a mild baby boom bump**] You do not have to write your responses to the above in your link. I am doing this for the sake of clarity.
 * **Description** - Korea has been facing steadily declining birthrates. Although this seems like a good thing, it can mean that the dependency rate is increasing. That is the population is aging. This means that more people could be retiring than entering the workforce. This poses a threat to productivity of the population and to maintaining social and pension programs. If more people are taking out from these than are putting in, there will be little left of it for the present and future generations.
 * **Visual -** see article above.
 * **Presentation voice and body language -** watch/ listen to me.
 * **Defense -** As indicated in the description, this is significant for Korea as its baby boom generation produces its last offspring. What are the ramifications? Well, if fewer Koreans are working to maintain their economic system, then foreign labor will have to be brought in. What are the social issues that this can create in a nearly entirely homogenous population? Is Korean society/culture able to absorb that sort of social change in a single generation? For these and other reasons it is imperative that a way to manage the fall out of declining birth rates is essential. Thank you, you're a lovely audience.