AP World History

Group Presentations on Belief Systems

2016-2017

Overview

In assigned teams, you will select and research a topic concerning world belief systems, producing an oral presentation that will be supplemented by PowerPoint.

Process:

  1. With your group, select a topic from the list below to research.
  2. Work with partners to draft a plan, research the issue and develop the presentation.
  3. Use at least five sources: at least one must be a book, and at least two sources should come from the library’s databases. Other sources may include websites, but please check with your teacher or a librarian if you’re uncertain of the site’s reliability.
  4. Collectively create a Power point slide presentation of 15-20 slides. Be sure that all of you contribute equally to the presentation and that the presentation works on your laptop. (power point sometimes does not transfer well from Mac to PC or back again)
  5. One electronic copy must be emailed to me at least 12 hours prior to the start of class. Please also give me a hard copy of the presentation at the start of class which has hand-written initials on each slide that each person personally contributed.
  6. You will present your group’s work individually to the class so you need to have ownership of it, understand it and be able to answer any questions on it. Technical issues are not an excuse.
  7. Create a handout or outline for the class to take notes on while you are presenting. You must make these on your own prior to your presentation.
  8. Be sure to check for understanding at the end of you presentation.
  9. Be sure that your presentation meets all of the criteria that is mentioned in AP World History Course framework. Use thisurl to check that your presentation is satisfactory.

Suggested Outline for Presentations:

(may vary based on topic-- use this as a guide)

  1. Introductory slide with title/topic, your names. (1)
  2. Thesis slide (what are you trying to prove?) Remember your thesis should include all the sub-topics in it. (1)
  3. Choose several (2-4) sub-topics. (this is then a great way to divide up labor) Use one slide to list your three categories and then and create at least three slides for each. Be sure sub-topics/ slides incorporate aspects from more than one religion. Do not try to tell us everything about a religion or topic—DO show impact, significance and comparison (10- 15)
  4. Include Comparisons where possible between religions (1-3)
  5. Conclusions for this topic—make them meaningful and specific (1)
  6. List at least five sources your group used. (1)

Topics that must be included in the Presentation

  • Be sure to include all information from the AP framework
  • Religions Origins- Include several slides on how religion came about
  • Key Beliefs- What are the central ideas for this religion?
  • Key Practices-What practices and rituals does this religion have?
  • Holy Book-
  • Compare one aspect of your religion to another religion during the Axial Age
  • How has your religion impacted world history?

Choose 2 of the following topics to include in your presentation

-Ethical Codesin Practice(Possible topics: the codes themselves theory and practice)

-Conflict and Religion (Possible topics: Crusades, Reconquista, Jerusalem today)

-Gender and Religion (Possible topics:as shown in sacred texts, in law, in art, in family life)

-Social Structure and family (Possible topics: Leadership, class, Public/ private role, Confucian, Patriarchal, Caste…)

-Ways Religions Spread (Possible topics: trade, conflict/ war/ violence, missionaries, governmental/ political rulings regarding conversion/ assimilation) -Economics and religion (Possible categories: economic influence on religion and/or vice versa; attitude toward economy reflected by social structure, physical buildings re: to religion; Economic influence on the spread of religion.)

- Ancestors in Religions (possible categories: shrines/ monuments; prayers/ offerings; festivals; next life)

Hints:

  • The content is the most important thing. Be sure to include all information from the AP framework
  • Better it be accurate and complete, than pretty.
  • Textual slides should be easy to read (use MIN 22 point fonts, preferably bigger).
  • Use bullet points—not lengthy sentences or paragraphs.
  • Leave yourselves lots to say during the presentation—don’t put all your words on the screen.

Belief Systems

Buddhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism,Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Greek Humanism, Judaism,Shamanism and Animism

Evaluation

Content /75

Introductory slide (5)

Thesis (10)

Includes all required slides (20)

Graphic Organizer (25)

Direct Comparisons between beliefs (10)

Meaningful Conclusion slides (5)

Form / 30

Length (15-20 slides)

Spelling/ grammar

Overall aesthetics (use of background color, images, large font)

Full citation Bibliography (five sources slide)

Checking for Understanding(game, questions)/ 15

Presentation/ 30

Clear, articulate

Goes beyond slides, does not simply read

TOTAL / 150