2011+APUSH+Presentations


 * Update: grading rubric for presentations posted**

The rubric is written to take all of the instructions below into account. Remember, you should easily earn 40 out of 50 points JUST for doing things the right way. Check your presentation against the rubric before you submit them Wednesday.

__Introduction__

You will be using Powerpoint to teach your classmates a lesson on a topic in recent US history selected in consultation with me. Here’s what your presentation should cover, regardless of topic:

1. **WHAT** happened? 2. **WHEN** and **WHY** did it happen? 3. **WHO** did it and **WHY**? 4. What **RESULTED** from it? 5. **WHY** was it important?

Sound familiar? Fancy audiovisual bells and whistles like annoying Powerpoint transitions or a 10-minute video clip won’t get you a great grade. **Substantial content** and **effective analysis** will. You are basically getting 10 minutes plus AV resources to teach your classmates (and me) a topic from American history not covered by the AP exam.

__Guidelines for your presentation__

• **10 minutes, 10-12 slides** including title slide (names, topic, date, period) and references (**for pairs: 12 minutes, 12-15 slides**) • do NOT fill each slide with too many words (a few large-font words or bullet points per slide to provide a sketch of the topic you’re discussing) • you MUST include visual material **on every slide** (images, maps, graphs, video if you can find it and get it to work) • and ABOVE ALL do NOT just read what’s on the slides to the class during your actual presentation. Notecards are OK to keep your thoughts organized.

__Research and Sources__

Google is your friend. Remember to use the “site:*.whatever.com” operator, quotation marks to search exact phrases, and the variety of search tools under the Google graphic on the left edge of the results screen.

A bibliography including at least 6 different sources, **BOTH** primary **AND** secondary, must be included in your presentation as the final slide. The title of the slide should be "Works Cited," per MLA guidelines.


 * You must use MLA formatting for your Works Cited slide.** See []

__Submission and Deadline__

Your presentation (the Powerpoint file itself AND any media files you plan to use during the presentation like videos or music) must be burned onto a blank CD/DVD which should have your **name(s)**, **period**, and **topic** written on it in permanent marker. **This is due in class on Wednesday, May 30, 2012**. Please just bring me a bare disc, I don’t need jewel cases or paper sleeves.

__Grading__

Grading is an art, not a science. That said, this assignment is worth 50 points, 80% of which are earned for following the objective requirements of the assignment (slide #, timing, references, format) and 20% for my subjective impression (fluency, creativity of layout and richness of visual aids, degree of audience engagement). Most students who complete this assignment in good faith should receive between 45-50 points.


 * Finally, you ONLY get the time allotted, with a 30-second grace period. Anything you don’t cover in your allotted time will not count towards your grade for the project, and a final runtime that exceeds the limits will cost you points.**

__Presentation Schedule__

Please open the appropriate PDF to see what day you are presenting. Volunteers were accepted for going this Friday, May 25; all other presentations were randomized.



__Suggested Topics__

You are encouraged to choose your own. No topic is automatically approved for presentation from either this list or your imagination UNTIL you’ve consulted me. Topics will be due Tuesday, May 14.

1. US aid to Afghan mujahideen: Operation Cyclone (1980s) 2. US intervention in the Balkan Wars (1995-1999) 3. John Hinckley’s assassination attempt on Reagan (1981) 4. Televangelism scandals (Tammy Faye Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, etc.) 5. Gary Hart-Donna Rice scandal (1984) 6. The 3rd party presidential candidacies of H. Ross Perot (1992 and 1996) 7. Controversial Supreme Court appointments (Clarence Thomas, Robert Bork) 8. The Challenger and/or Columbia explosions (1986 and 2005) 9. US invasion of Panama: Operation Just Cause (1989) 10. Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain (1989) 11. Collapse of the USSR (1991) 12. Persian Gulf War and its controversies (1991) 13. Rodney King arrest, trial and riots (1992) 14. The NAFTA debate and its impact (early 1990s) 15. The Hillarycare debacle (1993) 16. Domestic terrorists: Ruby Ridge, David Koresh, Ted Kaczynski, Timothy McVeigh 17. The Battle of Mogadishu (1993) 18. The Repulican insurgency of Newt Gingrich and the Contract with America (1994) 19. Clintonian scandal(s): Monica, Whitewater, impeachment, etc. 20. Clinton’s “Tomahawk Diplomacy” in Sudan/Afghanistan (1998) 21. Bombing of the USS Cole (2000) 22. The disputed presidential election of 2000 23. Campaign finance reform: McCain-Feingold (2002) 24. US withdrawal from the ABM treaty and nuclear weapons in the 21st century (2000s) 25. 2004 presidential election: Swift Boats, National Guard docs, 527s, etc. 26. Hurricane Katrina and government response (2005) 27. Wikileaks and the War on Terror (2000s) 28. Operation Iraqi Freedom/Saddam/WMD (2003-2009) 29. 2008 presidential election: McCain vs. Obama, Momma Grizzly 30. Financial crisis and Bush bailouts (2008-2009) 31. Gulf oil spill and cleanup (2010) 32. Rise of social networking/media and impact on American culture/society (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace...remember myspace?) (2000s) 33. ???