Honors American History Individual Project Requirements:

 

Political Cartoon Project Requirements:

During the 2^nd quarter, students will choose and research a person, event, or issue relevant to the years 1600 – 1840. During the 3rd quarter, students will do the same for the years 1877 – 1939. Taking on the role of someone living at the time, the student will then develop a criticism of the person, event, or issue chosen. This criticism will then form the basis for the presentation.  Using this criticism, the student will create a political cartoon that visually conveys the author’s/artist’s dissatisfaction.  This political cartoon may be hand-drawn, or computer generated, but may not be a reproduction of anyone else’s work – be they historical or otherwise. Though the cartoon will serve as the center piece of the project, the presentation must be completed in PowerPoint format and adhere to the following criteria:

 

Political Cartoon Grading Rubric:

 

Powerpoint Presentation must include the following:

1. Identification of the person, event, or issue
2. Background – describe the person, event, or issue to be criticized
3. Argumentation – thesis & supporting argument (cartoonist’s point of view regarding the subject)
1. Thesis:   state the criticism
2. Support: explain/back up the criticism
4. Cartoon – present visual criticism (there may be a maximum of one line of text)
1. While a lack of artistic ability will not affect the student’s grade, images must be identifiable – even if they are simple stick figures.
2. Cartoon image must be presented on a Powerpoint slide (scanning or taking a digital picture will be the easiest methods for digitizing the cartoon  – see Mr. Sandoe to make appropriate arrangements if you do not have access to a scanner or digital camera).
5. Cartoon explanation
1. What is taking place in the cartoon?
2. How are the images being used?
3. Explain the intended humor and how it applies to the criticism
6. Bibliography
1. You should have at least 5 sources in your bibliography. NO ENCYCLOPEDIAS will be accepted as sources (whether on the web, CD-Rom, or hard copy), though you may use encyclopedias to help you find other sources. ONLY 3 INTERNET sources will be acceptable unless prior approval is obtained from the instructor. In addition, only internet sources ending in the suffixes “.edu” and “.gov,” will be accepted unless prior approval is obtained from the instructor (NO DOT-COM’s or DOT NET’s w/o approval).
2. Provide a separate bibliography for images used in your presentation. There is no DOT-COM limitation for images.

Paperwork to be turned in:

1. black and white printouts of the Powerpoint slides presented in class