Mr. Mermelstein
Government and Economics
UD SENIOR CULMINATING PROJECT
GUIDELINES (2012 – 2013)
In order to graduate, all Upper Dublin seniors must complete and pass the UD Senior Culminating Project. It is a twofold project (research paper and oral presentation). The research paper is worth 75% of the total grade, while the oral presentation accounts for the remaining 25% of the culminating project grade. Both portions of the project must be completed in order to graduate.
Research Paper Topic and Theme:
· Students are required to select a topic of their choice that relates to U.S. Government. Topics must be approved by the student’s government teacher. Certain topics will be limited at the discretion of the teacher.
· The theme of the research paper is past, present, and future.
o Past: Prior to December 31, 1994
o Present: generally, your lifetime – January 1, 1995 – April 19, 2013
o Future: April 20, 2013 and beyond
Research Paper Due Dates:
· NO incomplete rough copies (those lacking any major parts of the paper or those failing to meet basic guidelines for the paper) will be accepted. One letter grade (10%) will be deducted from the final research paper grade for each day the paper is late. This rule applies to the rough copy due dates only.
· NO incomplete or late final copies will be accepted. An incomplete or late final copy will have to be resubmitted with the appropriate corrections or additions within 5 school days - late or resubmitted papers can earn a score of no higher than 59%.
· Friday Jan. 4th Topic Approval Sheet Due
· Friday Jan. 11th Thesis Statement Due
· Friday Feb. 8th 1st Rough Copy Due (Intro & Past)
· Friday Feb. 22nd Last Day to Change Topic
· Friday March 8th 2nd Rough Copy Due (Intro, Past, & Present)
· Friday April 5th 3rd Rough Copy Due (Intro, Past, Present, Future & Conclusion)
· Friday April 19th Final Copy Due
Research Paper Requirements:
· Required Page Length:
o 122 10-12 pages
· Sources:
o Your rough copies and final draft must include in-text (parenthetical) citations.
o Cite every source indicated in your paper properly. In other words, include correct MLA in-text citations (notations) throughout your paper.
o 122 Minimum of 3 Books, 3 Periodicals, and 3 Internet Sources (9)
· Source and Page # Breakdown:
o 122 1st Rough Copy include a minimum of 3 sources and 3 pages
o 122 2nd Rough Copy include a minimum of 3 more sources and 3 pages (6)
o 122 3rd Rough Copy include a minimum of 3 more sources and 3 pages (9)
· Works Cited Page:
o Your rough copies and final draft must have a Works Cited page (MLA). (not counted in page length)
o Include a Works Cited Page at the end of your paper. Follow the MLA Guide for the WCP.
· Format:
o Your rough copies and final draft must be typed (12 point - Times New Roman font, double-spaced).
o Set 1 inch margins (top, bottom, left, right).
o Include a proper heading.
o Include a centered title. Capitalize the first word, the last word, and all principal words. Do not bold or underline the title.
o Starting on the second page, number your pages correctly. (1/2” Running Header - last name and page number)
o Each section of your paper must be labeled (introduction, past, present, future, and conclusion).
· Thesis Statement:
o Be sure to include a clearly stated, underlined thesis statement at the end of your introduction.
o Thesis Statement - Topic Sentence Agreement: Every paragraph must have a topic sentence. Topic sentences should support the thesis statement. Every sentence in each of the supporting paragraphs should support the corresponding topic sentence.
· Notable:
o Your final draft must be in a large envelope with your 3rd rough copy; this will NOT be accepted for full credit after 2:30 on Friday, April 19th.
Also, all students will be required to turn their final draft in to Turnitin.com.
o NO late papers will be accepted for a passing grade. Late papers can earn a score of no higher than 59.
o NO incomplete papers (those lacking any major parts of the paper or those failing to meet basic guidelines for the paper) will be accepted. Students will have to resubmit their paper with the appropriate corrections within 5 school days.
o A resubmitted paper can receive no higher a grade than a 59. Each day a resubmitted paper is late will result in a 10 point reduction in grade.
o Any paper over the maximum page limit (see above) will be penalized one letter grade.
· Research Paper Basic Rubric:
25% overall organization, content and continuity of written presentation
25% clearly stated thesis with matching, developed conclusion
20% MLA citations and alphabetical Works Cited page
20% past/present/future
10% correct spelling, punctuation, sentencing structure, paragraphing, etc.
Oral Presentation:
· Students will be scheduled to present on a given day. All students must be prepared to present on the day assigned. One letter grade will be deducted from the final oral presentation grade for each day that the student is absent from class on the day assigned or unprepared to present in class on the day assigned.
· Minimum and Maximum Time Limits:
122 5-7 minutes
· Standard Rubric:
40% content and understanding of the topic
30% organization and clarity of presentation
20% visual / prop
10% delivery / time limit
Total Senior Culminating Project Grade Rubric:
75% written research paper
25% oral presentation