PBL: Political Apathy
Problem: In general, Americans are politically apathetic. Over the next 7 chapters we will be looking at some of the facts on demographics, beliefs and behaviors, socioeconomics, voting, political parties, elections, interest groups, lobbyists, grass roots organization and PAC’s who influence voters, political parties etc. Your job, as a group, is to find a solution to political apathy and present it. You should give an ignite speech using either powerpoint or prezi (depending on the timing of your slides) presenting facts both from the book and other resources, and a solution to the problem. Video/documentary style presentations, or another creative idea may also be allowed with permission. Each group member should have a portion of the speech, and each total presentation should be no less than 8 minutes. Feel free to go over.
This project will have two parts, other than weekly vocabulary quizzes and short essays: 1) A final presentation. 2) An INDIVIDUALLY written paper to prove your knowledge of the topic.
WRITTEN PORTION
The written portion of the assignment will be completed in several sections. The first 7 sections are 2--5 page papers over 2-3 chapters at a time. These portions of the paper should have 2 or more sources per paper (essentially one new source per page). One source can be your textbook. The other(s) will have to be legitimate, reliable sources.
The paper will be 8-12 pages in length. Once your three “mini” papers are complete, you can edit and combine with a thesis to drive your paper to solving political apathy.
Your weekly papers will be graded on the following scale:
“check plus”(15/15)—These papers are relevant to the topic, contain multiple, reliable sources, are fully coherent, and will greatly enhance your final thesis/body and solution to political apathy.
“check”( 10/15)—These papers are good and relevant to the topic, contain multiple, reliable sources, are coherent, but do not fully enhance the thesis/body and solution to political apathy.
“check minus”(5/15)—These are not turned in on time; or lack sources, coherency, or the thesis/body and solution to political apathy.
Papers will also be checked for grammar, which will add/subtract to the coherency of your paper.
Your final paper will be graded on your writing and organizational skills, along with analytical skills of different aspects of political apathy and a viable solution (100 pts. x 3: 300 pts total.)
PRESENTATION
The presentation will be graded on the following (300 pts total).
Critical Thinking 3pts x 15 (150 pts): Your group is expected to think critically, and prove you have a deep understanding of the knowledge of the chapters. You should be able to fully analyze aspects of the American Political Landscape, and synthesize the information to create a realistic and viable solution to America’s political apathy.
Creativity 10pts x 15 (150 pts): Your group should have a final product of a prezi/ppt speech. Overall organization, “flow”/coherency, speaking skills, visuals and the solution will be assessed to determine your grade.
Your group will also grade each other to keep group members in check. The group may intervene with a group member if they are not doing their job, and have the right to hold meetings with me to discuss problems with the group or individuals. GROUP MEMBERS HAVE A RIGHT TO REMOVE AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE GROUP. NO MORE THAN THREE PER GROUP.
Also, you will have weekly vocabulary quizzes, shorts essays/multiple choice quizzes to determine how well you understand the material.
Your presentation must be in “ignite form”. This means prezi, or ppt, with timed slides. Powerpoint allows you to time slides for different increments, Prezi allow for slides of 10, 15 or 20 second intervals. With Prezi, you must select one time for the entire presentation. I would suggest 20 second intervals to stop some confusion.
Grades:
CH tests Vocabulary Quizzes: Possibly 100 pts x 7 weeks = 700 pts.
Rough drafts: Up to 3 papers 15-30pts. =60pts
Paper: 300 pts.
Presentation: 300 pts.
Group Grade: 100 pts.
Current Events: XXXX
TOTAL: 1371 PTS, + XXXX FROM Current Events ARTICLES.