GLOBAL STUDIES EXTRA CREDIT

Students may to up to 100 points of extra credit per semester.

 

Here are some extra credit projects to choose from.  Any student may do extra credit.  You may do more than one project if you wish and you can do the same type of project more than once (except #2, and #5).  The potential point values for each project are listed.  You must do A quality work in order to earn all the points!!

 

For all projects, except #2, you must select a substantial issue that is mainly impacting another part of the world (it can affect another part of the world and the US).  NO FLUFF!!  We are only interested in hard news!  If you do not do this, I will not give you any extra credit.  This is Global Studies!!

 

ALL WRITTEN WORK must be in your own words and should be double-spaced, Times New Roman, size 12, normal margins. 

 

See Ms. Finn if you have any questions about any of these assignments!!

 

1.     Position Paper: 30 points

Pick a current event that is in the news right now.  Research the problem using credible, major newspapers or online news sites (most major newspapers are on the web now).  Red Eye does not qualify—stick to Chicago Tribune, NY Times, BBC online, etc.  Write a 2-page paper that:

 

a.      Identifies the problem and explains in-depth all aspects of the problem

b.      Proposes an in-depth method for solving the problem using the committees, councils, programs, etc. of the UN.  Which UN groups can help?  What, exactly, do you want these groups do to?  What actions would you like them to take?  Make sure you address all aspects of the problem. 

c.       Includes a bibliography at the end (does not count towards 2 pages)

 

2.     Collage: 10-20 points (depending on size)

Pick any current event.  Using newspaper photos, magazines, and images found on the web, create a collage to raise people’s awareness about the current event.  The collage should be attention-grabbing and should help the average person understand more about the issue than they had before.   Collages should be BIG (not on regular sized paper), neat (no lined paper), tidy, and interesting to look at.  The effort that you invested in this project should be obvious.

*NOTE: You may only get extra credit for ONE collage per semester!

 

3.     Issue Journal: 50 points

Follow a current event that is in the news for two full weeks by clipping newspaper articles, or printing articles off the web.   You should try to find something about the current event everyday (such as the war in Iraq).  You will need to have 14 articles by the end of the project.  Research the problem using credible, major newspapers or online news sites (most major newspapers are on the web now).  Red Eye does not qualify—stick to Chicago Tribune, NY Times, BBC online, etc.

 

Before finding any articles, write a brief reflection (one paragraph) about why you chose your topic.  For each article that you find, write a brief summary (one paragraph) that includes what new information you have learned about the current event.  At the end of two weeks, write a final reflection (3 paragraphs) about what you have learned and why this issue was worth following for 2 weeks.

 

Organize your Issue Journal by date and attach entries together [Order: first reflection, article/summary 1-14, final reflection].  For each article, write the author, source (newspaper, magazine, etc.), date you found it, website you found it on (if applicable)—in other words, do a bibliographical citation for each article. 

 

4.     Man-On-The-Street Documentary: up to 50 points depending on the length

If you are interested in film and have the equipment to work with, make a documentary.  This documentary should focus on finding out what the average Chicagoan/LPHS student/parent (you choose the focus group) thinks about an issue.  The issue could be a current event or something related to the UN.  The goal of the documentary should be to raise awareness about an issue.  Students choosing this project must consult with Ms. Finn first.

 

5.     Political Cartoons: 10 points (depending on size)

Pick any current event.  Create a political cartoon that expresses your opinion about the event.  The cartoon should be in color (no pencil drawings unless discussed with Ms. Finn prior), readable, and very neat.  The cartoon should give the reader a good idea of what the current event is all about and what you think about it.  The cartoon can be one cell (think “the Far Side”) or multiple cells (think “Calvin and Hobbes”), it is your choice. 

*NOTE: You may only get extra credit for ONE political cartoon per semester!

 

6.     Ms. Finn, I saw this movie…!! (20 points)

Every once in a while, Hollywood does something right and makes a movie that involves an important global issue.  If you see a movie that you think addresses an issue that is relevant to this class, you can write a 1 page criticism of the paper.   Write your criticism from the perspective of a teacher that is thinking of showing this movie to his/her class.  Is there educational value to it? What can a student learn from this movie?  Is the movie completely accurate?  What parts are accurate/inaccurate?

 

 

7.     GLOBAL ISSUE FUND/AWARENESS RAISING (points depend on scope of project)

Students who are interested in DOING something about any issue that we learned about are invited to organize a fund/awareness raising activity.  This is very open-ended.  Before taking any action, you must meet with me.  Service learning hours are also available through this option.