AP World History News Research Project

AP World History World Issues Research Project

Introduction

Every day various news organizations report on events and trends that relate to this AP World History course. Careful analysis of such events will give you a better understanding history's recurring themes and the changes over time that have made the world what it is. This project is designed to help you attain such an understanding.

The Assignment

Select ONE of the themes **listed below** in world history to follow throughout this semester. Once you have selected your theme, check with various news outlets [see recommended sources below] to obtain information on your topic. The news article should be no older than August 2010. You will be required to:  Save the article and write a paragraph summary of the article’s contents. Summary must be typed and on a separate sheet from the article.  Neatly attach the article after your summary sheet. Article must be attached in such a way that it can be easily read by teacher.  Each time articles are due you should have THREE news articles relating to your theme for a total of six.  Staple all articles and summaries together. You will turn this in periodically (TWO times during the semester) for evaluation along with the grading sheet. (See syllabus.)  The first page of your collection should be the grading sheet.  After collecting and summarizing your news articles related to your theme your next step is to write a two to three page, typed paper reporting on current events about the theme, historical examples of the theme and commonalties observed world-wide that reflect your theme. (See detailed instructions at the end of this assignment sheet). This will be turned in according to the date on the syllabus.

**Themes 1. Migration/movement of people, refugees. Examples: immigration from Asia to Europe/U.S., immigrants trying to cross the Channel Tunnel, Mexicans heading to the U.S., Africans heading for Europe. 2. Ethnic/religious conflict. Examples: Northern Ireland/Irish Republican Army, Middle East/Palestine. 3. Environmental issues. Examples: global warming, pollution, ozone layer depletion, El Niño, natural disasters. 4. Medical and health issues. Examples: AIDS, cancer, Ebola, SARS. 5. Human rights. Examples: the Balkans/Kosovo/Serbia, war crimes trials, Chechnya (Russia), Falun Gong (China), Tibet, detainees in the war on terrorism -- OR gender issues/women's rights. 6. Communications technology impact on society. Examples: communication satellites, cell phone use, Palm pilots, satellite phones, Internet communication and business. 7. Globalization: the efforts that interconnect the markets, culture and peoples across national borders or the efforts that oppose these trends.

Recommended Sources New York Times newspaper The Atlanta Journal The Economist magazine The Marietta Daily Journal Time Newsweek U.S. News and World Reports Christian Science Monitor MSNBC.com British Broadcasting Company CNN.com Discovery News ABCNEWS.com EBSCO search from media center Some historical examples you may wish to consider when comparing your modern trend with the past:

1. Migration: Irish potato famine, Columbian exchange, Europeans and African slaves in the Western Hemisphere. 2. Conflict: the Crusades fought between European Christians and Arab Muslims. 3. Environmental issues: impact of the Industrial Revolution, European crops coming to the New World, New World crops in Africa and Asia, the potato. 4. Health: the Plague in Athens, Black Plague in Europe and Asia, smallpox in the New World, influenza pandemic after WWI. 5. Slavery: Arab slavery, Atlantic slave trade, caste system in India.

The Final Paper: Once you have compiled all the articles and have analyzed them thoroughly, you will probably have noticed several trends or commonalities. Though the events you found occur at different places throughout the world, you will notice similar trends in a wide variety of locations. An example of this is the impact of AIDS in both Africa and Asia. Though these areas are vastly different culturally, politically, and economically, similarities in how each region faces the problem of AIDS will be easy to spot. If you choose ethnic conflict in Russia and the Middle East, the same parallels will emerge. This should work for any topic you select.

Paper Organization

Grading sheet for article summaries Article summaries with articles Paper

This paper will be handed in with the notebook containing your articles. The paper should be typed using a 12 point font.

Outline:

Paragraph 1: Write an introductory paragraph that includes a thesis statement that links your theme to modern experiences. Paragraph 2: Give one or two historical examples of this trend or a similar one we have covered in history. Paragraphs 3-6 (or more): Explain your modern examples -- how they work or what effect they have on people. Either put these examples in your own words or directly quote the article and give credit to the author/source. Don't plagiarize. Paragraph 7: Conclusion -- explain how this theme has changed or remained the same over time. Try to include similarities and differences between then and now.

You must submit the final project including grade sheet, articles, summaries of articles, and final paper in a three- prong folder.

(This project was acquired through the APCentral web site and was originally created by Chris Ferraro of Spring Valley High School, Spring Valley, New York)

Rubric: Articles: 10 points each to include quality of news article, thoroughness of summary (60 pts.) Paper: 80 points to include thesis, historical examples, explanation of modern examples and conclusion Format: 10 points to include table of contents, organization of notebook, following directions, neatness, etc.