Overview
History is much more than a list of dates, names, and places. Examining our histories helps us understand how the past connects to our present and what it means to be human. It allows us to make better decisions about our futures. History also provides us with very practical skills that are useful in any profession, such as determining the credibility of information, conducting research, and asking critical questions.
In each module, you will complete assignments that will prepare you for an aspect of your final project. In this assignment, you will choose your project topic. Before completing this activity, review the Project Guidelines and Rubric and the Library Research Guide to know exactly what you will be working on. Make certain to review the historical topic in the library guide, which provides an overview of the topic as well as primary and secondary sources to support your research.
While it is a good idea to choose your topic early, you may change it until the next module.
Prompt
Use the provided Module One Activity Template: Project Topic Exploration and the Research Topic Lists in the HIS 100 Library Guide to complete this assignment. In the Library Guide, you will see the following pages:
- Research Topic List: Human Rights and Inequality
- Tulsa Massacre
- Wounded Knee Occupation
- Stonewall Rebellion
- Research Topic List: Political Revolutions
- Haitian Independence
- Philippine Revolution
- Iranian Revolution
- Research Topic List: Climate Change and Environmental Issues
- Great London Smog
- Creation of Earth Day
- Chernobyl
- Research Topic List: Globalization
- Creation of the UN
- Act Prohibition the Importation of Slaves
- Founding of NATO
Make certain to review the lists of more specific topics within each theme to choose your research topic.
Then, describe your prior knowledge, beliefs, assumptions, and values related to your chosen topic. Finally, you will explain why you think this historical topic is relevant to contemporary society.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
- Explain what you already know about the chosen topic based on your personal history or experiences.
- If you do not have prior knowledge about your topic, explain what you would like to learn more about.
- Describe the beliefs, assumptions, and values you have related to the topic you chose.
- What opinions or perspectives do you have about your topic? What conclusions have you already drawn about it?
- Explain why this topic is relevant to current events or to modern society.
- Why might this topic matter to us now?
Guidelines for Submission
Use the provided Module One Activity Template: Project Topic Exploration to address the steps above. While references are not required, any sources used should be cited according to APA style if you reference them in your responses. Consult the Shapiro Library APA Style Guide for more information on citations.
| Module One Activity Rubric | ||||
| Criteria | Proficient (100%) | Needs Improvement (75%) | Not Evident (0%) | Value |
| Existing Knowledge | Explains what is already known about the chosen topic based on personal history or experiences | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include connecting topic to existing knowledge or providing more detailed explanations of knowledge | Does not attempt criterion | 30 |
| Beliefs, Assumptions, and Values | Describes the beliefs, assumptions, and values concerning a chosen topic | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include connecting topic to beliefs, assumptions, and values or providing more support of that connection | Does not attempt criterion | 30 |
| Why Topic Is Relevant | Explains why the topic is relevant to current events or to modern society | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include connecting the topic to current events or modern society or making a more persuasive argument about the topic’s relevance to contemporary society | Does not attempt criterion | 30 |
| Articulation of Response | Clearly conveys meaning with correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose | Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, negatively impacting readability | The submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas | 10 |
| Total: | 100% | |||