U.S.

History Current Controversies Final Project

One of the main themes in US history is how change is central to America’s historical narrative.
America at its core is an unfinished nation, with each successive generation putting its own
stamp on what issues and rights are worth fighting for in order to further form that more perfect
union.

Assignment: Your task is to create a final presentation that will teach the class about a current
controversial issue in US history that still needs to be solved. Your topics will focus on the issues
that are at the forefront of American political, economic and social life since the 1960’s to
present day.

You will work with a group of up to 3 people and choose one of the following topics to present
to the class.
 Financial Reform (New Deal, Wall Street)
 Strict Environmental Laws (Clean Air Act, EPA)
 Immigration Policy (Path to citizenship, Border Security, DREAM Act)
 Universal Healthcare (Great Society, Affordable Care Act)
 No Child Left Behind (Great Society)
 War on Terror (Cold War, 911, Bush Doctrine)
 US Response to Genocide - Isolationism vs. Interventionism (Holocaust)
 Same-sex Marriage (Civil Rights Movement - Gay Marriage amendment, Prop 8)
 Drug Policy (Prohibition - War on Drugs)
 Abortion (Roe v. Wade, When does life begin?)
 Feminism (Civil Rights Movement - Equal Rights Amendment)
 Police Brutality against Minorities (Ferguson, Baltimore, Rodney King, etc)

These topics are not exhaustive, so if your group wishes to cover an issue not listed, you must
clear it first with your instructor.

Format of presentation: Once you have chosen your topic (first come, first serve) you will
teach the class about your chosen issue. You will be responsible for reviewing the history of
the issue, what its current status is, and propose solutions to the problem. The format of
your presentation may take the form of a Prezi, Powerpoint, Google Presentation, Video or some
type of visual presentation that is approved by instructor.
You and your group will be responsible for the following information:

A: History of the Issue - What is the current issue you are presenting? What are the root causes
of the issue (social, economic and political - underlying causes, be brief)? Why is this issue
historically important and explain any legislation, key figures and events that helped create this
issue on the first place.(you have some hints from the list provided above).

B: Current Status of Issue - How has the issue evolved from its inception to today, 2015? What
is the current debate surrounding the issue? (focus on the one primary argument for and one
against the issue). What gains have been made by groups and people fighting for and against the
issue?

C: Future of this Issue. How is this issue trending? What will need to happen for this issue to be
resolved? (pro and con) Can it be resolved? (For instance, slavery was “solved” with the 13th
amendment, but Jim Crow and other laws took its place)

*** Please note, in all your presentations, make sure to articulate the main pro and con
argument,... make sure they match!

In your presentation, you must include at least one visual (more is better) that summarizes the
pro and con position of the issue. This visual can be: a political cartoon, a diagram, chart, or
graph, a photograph, an advertisement, a piece of propaganda, a 3-D creation, a below the
surface graphic, or something else creative and visually stimulating.

Each of your group members will take on one of the above tasks to create a presentation no
longer than 10 minutes in length (avg 3 min per speaker).
You must email your presentation to your instructor BEFORE class. Faulty internet
problems will result in a zero, so make sure your have a copy/backup.

Extra Credit Opportunity:

In the spirit of competition (this is Broomfield of course!) categories for most creative visual
presentation, best presentation model and most informative presentation will awarded extra
credit
 Rubric
History of Issue Speaker: A B/C D F/M
 Preparedness- Group has all materials including presentation model prepared at the
beginning of class period. 5 4 3 0

 Introduction- Clearly introduces topic to class. 10 7 3 0

 Attire- Dress nicely & Creatively (Example: Business Attire)10 7 3 0

 Historical Understanding- Student provides exceptional explanations that

demonstrate in‐depth understanding of how each selection has shaped the course of
history. 10
7 3 0
 Historical Thinking- Student show exceptional skill in analyzing and interpreting
historical evidence to effectively and persuasively defend their selections
10 7 3 0
 Organization & Communication- Student fully address the information requirements
of the guiding questions. Information is presented in a logical way, and ideas
are clearly and fully developed.
o What is the current issue you are presenting? 5 4 3 0
o What are the root causes of the issue (social, economic and political - underlying
causes, be brief)? 5 4 3 0
o Why is this issue historically important and explain any legislation, key figures
and events that helped create this issue on the first place.
5 4 3 0

 Research Skills- Student fully address the information requirements of the guiding
questions. Information is presented in a logical way, and ideas are clearly and fully
developed. 10 7 3 0

 Synthesis of Presentation- The entry format is well designed and any included media
(graphics, sound, video, etc.) enhance the communication of the content.
10 7 3 0

 Flow- Organized and easy to follow 10 7 3 0

 Citations- Speech has in-text citations. (2 per section) 10 7 3 0

Total: 100
pts
Comments:
Current Status of Issue Speaker:

 Preparedness- Group has all materials including presentation model prepared at the
beginning of class period. 5 4 3 0

 Introduction- Clearly introduces topic to class. 10 7 3 0

 Attire- Dress nicely & Creatively (Example: Business Attire)10 7 3 0

 Current Understanding- Student provides exceptional explanations that

demonstrate in‐depth understanding of how each selection has currently is affecting the
U.S. 10 7
3 0
 Current Thinking- Student show exceptional skill in analyzing and interpreting current
evidence to effectively and persuasively defend their selections
10 7 3 0
 Organization & Communication- Student fully address the information requirements
of the guiding questions. Information is presented in a logical way, and ideas
are clearly and fully developed.
o How has the issue evolved from its inception to today, 2015?
5 4 3 0
o What is the current debate surrounding the issue? (focus on the one primary
argument for and one against the issue).? 5 4 3 0
o What gains have been made by groups and people fighting for and against the
issue?
5 4 3 0

 Research Skills- Student fully address the information requirements of the guiding
questions. Information is presented in a logical way, and ideas are clearly and fully
developed. 10 7 3 0

 Synthesis of Presentation- The entry format is well designed and any included media
(graphics, sound, video, etc.) enhance the communication of the content.
10 7 3 0

 Flow- Organized and easy to follow 10 7 3 0

 Citations- Speech has in-text citations. (2 per section) 10 7 3 0

Total: 100 pts

Comments:
Future of the Issue Speaker:
 Preparedness- Group has all materials including presentation model prepared at the
beginning of class period. 5 4 3 0

 Introduction- Clearly introduces topic to class. 10 7 3 0

 Attire- Dress nicely & Creatively (Example: Business Attire)10 7 3 0

 Future Understanding- Student provides exceptional explanations that demonstrate in‐

depth understanding of how each selection will affect future generations of Americans
10 7 3 0
 Future Thinking- Student show exceptional skill in analyzing and interpreting future
evidence to effectively and persuasively defend their selections
10 7 3 0
 Organization & Communication- Student fully address the information requirements
of the guiding questions. Information is presented in a logical way, and ideas
are clearly and fully developed.
o How is this issue trending?
5 4 3 0
o What will need to happen for this issue to be resolved? (pro and con)
5 4 3
0
o Can it be resolved? (For instance, slavery was “solved” with the 13th amendment,
but Jim Crow and other laws took its place)
5 4 3 0

 Research Skills- Student fully address the information requirements of the guiding
questions. Information is presented in a logical way, and ideas are clearly and fully
developed. 10 7 3 0

 Synthesis of Presentation- The entry format is well designed and any included media
(graphics, sound, video, etc.) enhance the communication of the content.
10 7 3 0

 Flow- Organized and easy to follow 10 7 3 0

 Citations- Speech has in-text citations. (2 per section) 10 7 3 0

Total: 100 pts

Comments:
 Group Elements:
MLA Works Cited Page: 30 pt
 Minimum of seven sources (Textbook may be used). 10 7 3 0
 No more than two of the sources are Wikipedia. 5 4 3 0
 Sources are alphabetized. 5 4 3 0
 Sources are written in correct citation format. 5 4 3 0
 All group members’ sources on two documents 5 4 3 0

Individual Group Member’s Contributions Chart: (10 pts)

(Make a chart like the one below and turn it in with your speeches)
History of Issue Current Status of Issue Future of the Issue
Speaker Speaker Speaker
  
  
  
  

Time: (10 pts) Pts

 8 to 10 minutes 10
 6 to 8 minutes 7
 5 to 6 minutes 5
 < 5 mins 0

Citation Page: ___/30 points

Contribution Chart: ___/10 points
Time: ___/10 points

Group Grade: ____50 Points Possible

History of Issue Current Status of Issue Future of the Issue

Speaker Speaker Grade:_____ Speaker Grade:_____
Grade:_____