Controversial Issues Presentations
Current Event Controversies in Government
Ms. Elshakhs - U.S. Government Objective: Examine controversial governmental issues from more than one perspective
Project Explanation (100 points): Each group will research a current controversy and teach a full class period on that issue. Presentations must be balanced, rather than biased. Students must give equal time to opposing views on the issue. Students will give a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation describing the controversy in detail, and then lead 20 minutes of class activities and/or discussion on the topic. Students will also create a wiki page for their project. Students will receive group grades, unless they request individual grades in advance. For individual grades, students must submit a written record of group responsibilities, which shows an equitable division of work. 1. PowerPoint Requirements: (60 points) Your Powerpoint presentation MUST be 20 minutes long. Significant grade reductions will be taken for shorter presentations. All group members must take part in creating and delivering the presentation. The Powerpoint is DUE the FRIDAY BEFORE you present in class. You will be assessed using Conestoga's Oral Presentation Matrix (25 pts) in addition to the following content requirements (35 pts):
o Introduction & History: Use a good introduction that frames the issue clearly. Next, give background on the issue. Include relevant Supreme Court Decisions, legislation and laws, applicable international law (if any), etc. o Pro and Con Explanations: Present several major arguments on BOTH sides of the issue o Interest Groups: Summarize the positions of two opposing interest groups. If you choose good, reputable interest groups, their websites will lead you to much of your valuable research. o Evidence / Statistics: Explain research that has been used to support each side of issue (e.g. charts/graphs) Include in-text citations for sources of charts, graphs, statistics on the Powerpoint slide.
Ms. Elshakhs - U.S. Government Objective: Examine controversial governmental issues from more than one perspective
Project Explanation (100 points): Each group will research a current controversy and teach a full class period on that issue. Presentations must be balanced, rather than biased. Students must give equal time to opposing views on the issue. Students will give a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation describing the controversy in detail, and then lead 20 minutes of class activities and/or discussion on the topic. Students will also create a wiki page for their project. Students will receive group grades, unless they request individual grades in advance. For individual grades, students must submit a written record of group responsibilities, which shows an equitable division of work. 1. PowerPoint Requirements: (60 points) Your Powerpoint presentation MUST be 20 minutes long. Significant grade reductions will be taken for shorter presentations. All group members must take part in creating and delivering the presentation. The Powerpoint is DUE the FRIDAY BEFORE you present in class. You will be assessed using Conestoga's Oral Presentation Matrix (25 pts) in addition to the following content requirements (35 pts):
o Introduction & History: Use a good introduction that frames the issue clearly. Next, give background on the issue. Include relevant Supreme Court Decisions, legislation and laws, applicable international law (if any), etc. o Pro and Con Explanations: Present several major arguments on BOTH sides of the issue o Interest Groups: Summarize the positions of two opposing interest groups. If you choose good, reputable interest groups, their websites will lead you to much of your valuable research. o Evidence / Statistics: Explain research that has been used to support each side of issue (e.g. charts/graphs) Include in-text citations for sources of charts, graphs, statistics on the Powerpoint slide.