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Unit 3 : Final Project

Essay Assignment

The Stewardship of a Nation Project

I. Project Evaluation

This project is worth 16% of your overall course mark.

Click on the following titles to view the project details.

Option #1 PowerPoint Presentation

Instructions:  Create a PowerPoint Presentation for ONE of the topics from the topics list.  Hand in one PowerPoint file containing 30 slides.  Each slide should have 10-25 words of text.  The 1st slide must be a creative ‘Title Slide’. The last slide must be a ‘Works Cited Slide’.  The ‘Works Cited Slide’ must cite a minimum of 15 sources in MLA style.

  • 10 marks  Research Strategies (evaluates research sources for currency, reliability, bias.  You must provide a comparison of at least two contrary points of view on your topic)
  • 10 marks  Keeping Records using a Works Cited Slide (documents sources using MLA method)
  • 10 marks  Makes Connections (synthesizes information from a variety of sources)
  • 10 marks  Draws Sound Conclusions (based on information gathered)
  • 10 marks  Describes Images (thoroughly and effectively)
  • 10 marks  Visual Impact (provides highly effective visual evidence)
  • 10 marks  Integration of Stewardship and Sustainability Themes
  • 30 marks  Overall Impression

Total:  100 Marks

NOTE:  You may have to resize pictures or compress your file when you are done.  Go to the ‘Online Orientation’ on the main online course page (the page you get right after you log in) for instructions on how to resize pictures or compress files.  If you are still having trouble fitting your project in the hand-in box, contact our tech support.

Option #2 Oral Presentation on Video

Instructions:  Create a Video of yourself lecturing on ONE of the topics from the topics list.  Hand in one Video file which is 8-10 minutes in length (do not exceed your time limit).  Within the video you must feature the following visuals:  1 Title Screen; 1 Outline Screen; 5 ‘Still’ Visuals (a ‘still’ visual could be a chalkboard outline, key notes, diagram, picture, or any teaching tool that you use to enhance your video presentation).  The video must feature a  ‘Credit List’ at the end.  The ‘Credit List’ should be written in MLA style and contain at least 15 sources/credits.

  • 10 marks  Research Strategies (evaluates research sources for currency, reliability, bias.  You must provide a comparison of at least two contrary points of view on your topic)
  • 10 marks  Keeping Records using a Credit List at the end of the video (documents sources using MLA method)
  • 10 marks  Makes Connections (synthesizes information from a variety of sources)
  • 10 marks  Draws Sound Conclusions (based on information gathered)
  • 10 marks  Thesis Statement (that guides presentation effectively)
  • 10 marks  Video Format (organized and/or natural presentation divisions of appropriate length.  Please do not ad-lib the entire presentation.)
  • 10 marks  Integration of Stewardship and Sustainability Themes
  • 30 marks  Overall Impression

Total:  100 Marks

NOTE:  You may have to compress your video file when you are done.  Go to the ‘Online Orientation’ on the main online course page (the page you get right after you log in) for instructions on how compress files.  If you are still having trouble fitting your project in the hand-in box, contact our tech support.

Option #3 Interview an Expert on Video

Instructions:  Create a Video of yourself interviewing a person who is knowledgeable about your topic (university student, teacher, professor, or self-taught enthusiast).

Hand in one Research file which contains advanced research notes of at least 800-1000 words in length.  This research should be done in advance of your interview so that you are well-prepared for your interview and so that you can interview your subject intelligently.

Hand in one Questionnaire file which contains a list of your interview questions.  Your question list should contain at least 20 questions and be prepared in advance of the interview.

Hand in one Video file which is 8-10 minutes in length (do not exceed your time limit)  Within the video you must feature a ‘Credit List’ at the end.  The ‘Credit List’ should be written in MLA style and contain at least 15 sources/credits.

  • 10 marks  Pre-Interview Research (evaluates research sources for currency, reliability, bias)
  • 10 marks  Keeping Records using a Credit List at the end of the video (documents sources using MLA method)
  • 10 marks  Makes Connections (synthesizes information from a variety of sources)
  • 10 marks  Draws out Sound Conclusions (based on information gathered from interview subject)
  • 10 marks  Questionnaire (guides interview effectively and keeps a good balance between fact and opinion questions)
  • 10 marks  Interview Format (puts the interview subject at ease, keeps up a good pace, and naturally draws out relevant information and emotion from the interview subject)
  • 10 marks  Integration of Stewardship and Sustainability Themes
  • 30 marks  Overall Impression

Total:  100 Marks

NOTE:  You may have to compress your video file when you are done.  Go to the ‘Online Orientation’ on the main online course page (the page you get right after you log in) for instructions on how compress files.  If you are still having trouble fitting your project in the hand-in box, contact our tech support.

Option #4 Interview an Expert using Audio

Instructions:  Create an Audio File of yourself interviewing a person who is knowledgeable about your topic (university student, teacher, professor, or self-taught enthusiast).

Hand in one Research file which contains advanced research notes of at least 800-1000 words in length.  This research should be done in advance of your interview so that you are well-prepared for your interview and so that you can interview your subject intelligently.  Within the research file you must feature a ‘Works Cited List’.  The ‘Works Cited List’ should be written in MLA style and contain at least 15 sources.

Hand in one Questionnaire file which contains a list of your interview questions.  Your question list should contain at least 20 questions and be prepared in advance of the interview. 

Hand in one Audio file which is 8-10 minutes in length (do not exceed your time limit).
  • 10 marks  Pre-Interview Research (evaluates research sources for currency, reliability, bias)
  • 10 marks  Keeping Records using a Works Cited Listed at the end of the research file (documents sources using MLA method)
  • 10 marks  Makes Connections (synthesizes information from a variety of sources)
  • 10 marks  Draws out Sound Conclusions (based on information gathered from interview subject)
  • 10 marks  Questionnaire (guides interview effectively and keeps a good balance between fact and opinion questions)
  • 10 marks  Interview Format (puts the interview subject at ease, keeps up a good pace, and naturally draws out relevant information and emotion from the interview subject)
  • 10 marks  Integration of Stewardship and Sustainability Themes
  • 30 marks  Overall Impression

Total:  100 Marks

NOTE:  You may have to compress your audio file when you are done.  Go to the ‘Online Orientation’ on the main online course page (the page you get right after you log in) for instructions on how compress files.  If you are still having trouble fitting your project in the hand-in box, contact our tech support.

Option #5 Artistic Presentation

Instructions:  Create an Artistic Representation which captures the essence of ONE topic from the topics list.

Hand in one Research file which contains advanced research notes of at least 600-800 words in length.  This research should be done in advance of creating your artistic masterpiece.  Within the research file you must feature a ‘Works Cited List’.  The ‘Works Cited List’ should be written in MLA style and contain at least 15 sources.

Hand in a Digital Photograph of your masterpiece.

Hand in one Reflection File which both describes your masterpiece and explains how it represents the conclusions you have reached about your topic.  The reflection should be 200-400 words in length.
  • 10 marks  Pre-Artistic Representation Research (evaluates research sources for currency, reliability, bias)
  • 10 marks  Keeping Records using a Works Cited Listed at the end of the research file (documents sources using MLA method)
  • 10 marks  Makes Connections (synthesizes information from a variety of sources)
  • 10 marks  Draws Sound Conclusions (based on information gathered)
  • 10 marks  Describes Artistic Representation (thoroughly and effectively)
  • 10 marks  Integration of Stewardship and Sustainability Themes
  • 40 marks  Overall Impression (visual/artistic impact/effect)

Total:  100 Marks

NOTE:  You may have to resize pictures or compress your file when you are done.  Go to the ‘Online Orientation’ on the main online course page (the page you get right after you log in) for instructions on how to resize pictures or compress files.  If you are still having trouble fitting your project in the hand-in box, contact our tech support.

Option #6 Create a Game

Instructions: Create a Game which captures the essence of ONE topic from the topics list.

Hand in one Content file which contains 400-600 words of key game content.  It is expected that the game will incorporate rich, detailed data and research surrounding your topic.  This content should be found in advance of creating your game.  Within the content file you must feature a ‘Works Cited List’.  The ‘Works Cited List’ should be written in MLA style and contain at least 15 sources/credits.

Hand in a Digital Photograph of people playing your game.  Make sure the game board and playing pieces can be seen in the photograph.

Hand in one Rule Sheet which both explains how to play your game and explains how it represent the conclusions you have reached about your topic.  The rule sheet should be 400-600 words in length.
  • 10 marks  Pre-Game Research (evaluates research sources for currency, reliability, bias)
  • 10 marks  Keeping Records using a Works Cited Listed at the end of the research file (documents sources using MLA method)
  • 10 marks  Makes Connections (synthesizes information from a variety of sources)
  • 10 marks  Draws Sound Conclusions (based on information gathered)
  • 10 marks  Describes Game (thoroughly and effectively)
  • 10 marks  Integration of Stewardship and Sustainability Themes
  • 40 marks  Overall Impression (visual/artistic impact/effect)

Total:  100 Marks

NOTE:  You may have to resize pictures or compress your file when you are done.  Go to the ‘Online Orientation’ on the main online course page (the page you get right after you log in) for instructions on how to resize pictures or compress files.  If you are still having trouble fitting your project in the hand-in box, contact our tech support.

II. The Themes of Stewardship and Sustainability

The purpose of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to explore a topic of interest that relates to issues concerning Canadian and/or World Geography.  Indeed, the Scriptures state that God’s creation is for our use but that we also must be good stewards of everything He has created for us.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Genesis 1: 26.

As you begin your research for the Stewardship of a Nation Unit Final Project, make sure you make mental note of the following foundational questions and definitions.

  1. Consider and reflect upon the meaning of stewardship and sustainability:

    • stewardship:  the concept that humankind has a God-given responsibility to care for plants, animals, and the environment as a whole
    • sustainability:  the ability to provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves.  When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs to anyone involved.
  2. Identify contemporary Canadian and/or world geographic issues that relate to stewardship and sustainability that interest you.

  3. Compare and contrast competing approaches to the stewardship and sustainability of the Earth’s resources.  What you believe about the origins of the universe and the end of time will influence your thinking about the topics listed below.

III. Topic Choices

Note:  You may choose to agree or disagree with these statements.

  1. The rate of population growth has NOT outstripped the capacity of the world to support world population.
  2. Government corruption is the primary problem hampering the development of poorer countries.
  3. Escapist Christian eschatologies (views of the ‘end times’) result in Christian apathy towards the environment.
  4. NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) are the most effective institutions for providing foreign aid to poor countries.
  5. The core and periphery pattern in economic development is the primary reason for global economic disparities.
  6. Greater government intervention is the key to reducing regional economic disparities in Canada.
  7. Climate change is primarily caused by natural processes.
  8. The threat of pandemics (such as the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic) have been exaggerated by special interest groups such as the media and the medical profession.
  9. Other.  If you don’t like any of the topics listed above, propose an alternative topic to your teacher.  This must be done at least two weeks before the deadline.

IV. Recommended Resources

Lecture Notes and Key Readings from Social Studies 11 Online Lessons 13 to 15

Canadainfolink  http://www.canadainfolink.ca/geog.htm

V. Project Submission

Note:  You may have to resize pictures or compress your audio/video file when you are done.  Go to the ‘Online Orientation’ on the main online course page (the page you get right after you log in) for instructions on how to resize pictures or compress files.  If you are still having trouble fitting your project in the hand-in box, contact our tech support

Once you've completed working on your project, upload all the associated files into the following online assignment to submit for marking.

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