4th Quarter Project
Comparing Events
Introduction
Every day various news organizations report on events and trends that relate to this AP World History course. Careful analysis of such events will give you a better understanding history's recurring themes and the changes over time that have made the world what it is. This project is designed to help you attain such an understanding.
The Assignment
Select a modern theme or event of global significance (Suggested themes below). Research the theme/event on the VRC and news outlets. Discuss and cite the background and facts. Compare and contrast the theme/event to a historical event you have studied in AP World History.
Possible Themes
Migration/movement of people, refugees. Examples: immigration from Asia to Europe/U.S., immigrants trying to cross the Channel Tunnel, Mexicans heading to the U.S., Africans heading for Europe.
Ethnic/religious conflict. Examples: Northern Ireland/Irish Republican Army, Middle ---East/Palestine.
Environmental issues. Examples: global warming, pollution, ozone layer depletion,
El Niño, Green Revolution, Flooding, Earthquakes, BP Oil Spill
Medical and health issues. Examples: AIDS, cancer, Ebola, stem cell research, Swine Flu
Human rights. Examples: the Balkans/Kosovo/Serbia, Chechnya (Russia), Falun Gong (China), Tibet -- OR -- gender issues/women's rights.
Communications technology. Examples: communication satellites, cell phones, Palm pilots, satellite phones, Internet communication and business.
Recommended Sources: You are NOT limited to these suggestions!
Library
Library
The Virtual Reference Collection (VRC)
ABC CLIO World History/Modern Era
eLibrary
SIRS
Proquest k12 (includes New York Times and other newspapaper and periodcals)
Facts.com Issues and Controversies
Facts.com World News Digest
Gale Cengage Student Resources in Context
Web Collection Plus Online Catalog
Academic Integrity
NoodleTools
Citation Machine
Websites
ABC CLIO World History/Modern Era
eLibrary
SIRS
Proquest k12 (includes New York Times and other newspapaper and periodcals)
Facts.com Issues and Controversies
Facts.com World News Digest
Gale Cengage Student Resources in Context
Web Collection Plus Online Catalog
Academic Integrity
NoodleTools
Citation Machine
Websites
Some historical examples you may wish to consider when comparing your modern trend with the past:
Migration: Irish potato famine, Columbian exchange, Europeans and African slaves in the Western Hemisphere.
Conflict: the Crusades fought between European Christians and Arab Muslims.
Environmental issues: impact of the Industrial Revolution, European crops coming to the New World, New World crops in Africa and Asia, the potato, Volcanoes.
Health: the Plague in Athens, Black Plague in Europe and Asia, smallpox in the New World, influenza pandemic after WWI.
Slavery: Arab slavery, Atlantic slave trade, caste system in India, Serfdom in Russia
Communication: Egyptian hieroglyphs and scribes, Battle of Marathon, Great Wall of China, block printing in China, moveable type printer (Gutenberg), telegraph and telephone.
Paper
Papers will be 5-7 pages plus your bibliography. You MUST use 3-5 resources from the Library (Mr. Miller will introduce you to these resources).
You MUST properly cite your resources both within your essay (parenthetical) and in an alphabetical order Bibliography/Works Cited
10-12pt font Arial or Times New Roman
We will have 4 class days in the Information Center to work on your research and learn proper research and paper writing skills(Monday, May 23-Thursday, May 26)
This paper can be compared to a Change Over Time essay, in that you will explain the issue, then write about it in the modern world and then research and report on its historical trend. Make sure you include changes and continuities AND you discuss how the issues compare and contrast!
Papers will be due NO later than Friday, June 3!!!! (Late Papers will lose 10 points for each day they are late!)
