Challenges Facing the World Today
(final project of the year!)
1. This is a list of some major challenges facing
the world today. We will be spending time in class briefly going over all of
these topics, so that you will have a context for making your choice for research.
Human Rights Violations
Population Growth
Globalization
World Health
The Crisis of the Environment
Religious and/or Ethnic Conflicts
Biological/Chemical Warfare
Terrorism
International Cooperation
2. You will choose from the list a challenge facing the world today. You may also come up with your own topic, but it must be approved. The first step will be for you to find a specific example of this unresolved problem occurring anywhere in the world today (your example must be outside of the United States). We will spend several days in the library where you will have the opportunity to research your topic. Besides gathering traditional data, you will need to contact a specialist in this field. You will find out more details about this later.
3. After gathering information about your specific challenge, you must come up with a thoughtful and realistic solution to this problem. Your solution may involve addressing the United Nations, private organizations, politicians, etc. First figure out who your target audience is—this will affect how you present your information. In your proposal, you must give your target audience:
An explanation of the larger challenge
An explanation of your particular situation
How you propose the problem should be solved.
Because these are real issues facing our world today, there will be no easy answers, but don’t let that prevent you from being creative and optimistic in your response.
4. As far as presentation, you have a variety of options. You may write a letter, speech, petition, create a website, powerpoint or video promoting publicity and awareness. You have some creative leeway, so just let me know what you would like to do. You may also work with a partner or group of your choice (even from the other sections). No more than four people in a group and you all receive the same grade.
5. If you choose to write a standard text, it should to be 3-5 pages long and include footnotes and a works cited page. You should use at least four different sources, including information from your specialist.6. Students who create a website, powerpoint, or video will be required to present to the class, and other volunteers will also present their information to the class.
Grade Breakdown- 100 Points Total
Homework Check – 10 Points
How You Use Your Class time – 10 Points
The Text (explanation of problem and proposed solution) – 80 Points
Final Project Schedule
First Class
Class: End of Cold War and UpFront
Homework: Population Growth pages 444-447
Second Class
Class: Population Growth and The People Bomb
Homework: World Health and Education pages 447-448 and Find another example
of a world health crisis besides AIDS and bring the article to class
Third Class
Class: Discussion of World Health and Education
Global Fund For Women Video
Homework: The Environment pages 450-453 and Find a contemporary example of
an environmental issue in the world
Fourth Class
Class: Discussion of the Environment and The People Bomb
Homework: Terrorism and Religious Tensions pages 455-458
Fifth Class
Class: Discussion of Terrorism and Religious Tensions
Rank top three choices
Discussion of specialist and target audience
Homework: Begin Research
Sixth Class
Class: Meet in the library, work on research, including contacting your
specialist
Homework: Organize notes, figure out how your are going to present your
information
Seventh Class
Class: Meet in the library, work on research, including contacting your
specialist
Homework: If you are submitting a standard written text, it is due tomorrow.
If you are making a website or video, you have an extra day.
Eighth Class
Class: Standard Written Text Due. Meet in the classroom.
Homework: Finish multi-media project
Ninth Class
Class: Presentations
Homework: None
Tenth Class
Class: Presentations
Homework: Exam Review