Multi-genre Global Issues Project
Objectives: Students will explore and learn about one of the following global contemporary issues by researching and answering critical thinking questions. Students will express ideas about the global contemporary issues through a multiple genre project.
What is a genre? A genre is a type of writing. A poem is a genre. A traditional research paper is a genre. A newspaper editorial is a genre. So are plays and diaries and cartoons and billboards.
Topics:
Diseases – What are the major epidemic diseases threatening the world today? How have disease affected local and regional areas? When and where have there been recent outbreaks of deadly diseases? What dangers do we face in the future? How have we dealt with recent outbreaks of diseases? How are we preparing for the future outbreaks?
Population Growth and Urbanization - What are the causes for population growth? What are the fastest growing countries and cities in the world? Why are these populations growing so rapidly? What are the current conditions associated with overpopulation and overcrowded cities? What can be done to slow down population growth or prepare for population growth in the future?
Natural Disasters – What are some of the major natural disasters found in the world? What are the negative effects of natural disasters? What disasters cause the largest loss in life? What are some examples of recent events that have caused major death tolls and property loss in the world?
Human Rights Abuse- What are examples of human rights abuses? Who are the targets? Who is most at risk? Where are the abuses most common? What is being done to stop the abuses?
Poverty- What are the problems with poverty? What causes of those problems? What is the most extreme form of world poverty? Where is it more common in the world? Why? Who is helping people improve conditions of poverty around the world?
Dangerous Weapons- What are the types of Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)? What kind of damage can be done with WMD? What countries have them? Who wants them? What weapon is the biggest threat? Why? How is this issue being controlled?
Terrorism- What is the history of terrorism? What is the definition of terrorism? What are some major attacks in the last few decades? Where is terrorism more common? What are some of the most well known terrorist groups in the world? What is the world doing to combat terrorism?
Global Trade – What is meant by free trade? What are the major trade organizations in the world today? What effects do these trade agreements have today and in the future? Are they good or bad for countries? Explain
Economic Interdependence – What is globalization and interdependence, multinational corporations, and outsourcing? How do these affect developed and developing nations and their economies? What is good and bad about interdependence among nations of the world?
Medicine and Genetic Engineering- What is genetic engineering, biotechnology, the green revolution, and cloning? What are the medical and human benefits of genetic engineering? What ethical questions do these advancements raise?
Steps for the project
STEP #1: Choose a topic and partner to work with for the research and presentation
STEP #2: Begin researching the topic by answering the questions. Search on various website listed below to find information regarding your topic. The questions, notes from research, articles, and the bibliography of resources will be your evidence for this portion of the project.
www.nationalgeographic.com
www.america.org
STEP #3: Work on completing two written products that differ from your research partner
STEP: #4: Work on completing two visual/media products that differ from your research partner
STEP: #5: Work on completing two presentation products for both you and your partner to present during class.
- Students will be given every Tuesday and Thursday in class to complete the Multi-genre project.
- Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be learning logs, vocabulary, readings, current events, notes, discussions, and video clips to give additional information about the topics listed below.
Project Due Dates:
- Tuesday May 18th - Research information, bibliography of resources, and questions answered
- Tuesday May 25th – One Writing or Visual Product completed
- Thursday May 27th – 2nd Writing or Visual Product completed
- Tuesday June 1st – 3rd writing or Visual Product completed
- Thursday June 3rd – 4th writing or Visual Product completed
- Tuesday June 8th – Presentation Product completed
- Week of Finals June 14th – 17th – All projects will be presented to the class
You must choose two written products, two visual products and two presentation products that reflect your findings on the global contemporary issues listed above.
Examples of Products:
Written Products Visual/ Media Product Presentation Product
Research Report Trifold Poster board Speech
Letter Cartoons Play
Poem Collage Musical Piece
Brochure Slide Show Dramatic Reenactment
Pamphlet Painting Dance
Essay Drawing Proposal
Newspaper editorial Mandala Data Display
Book Review Scrapbook Exhibition of Products
Autobiography Photo Album PPT. Presentation
Song lyrics Video Oral Report
Classified Ad Audio CD Discussion
Comic Strip Website Lesson Plan
Children’s Book Physical Model Activity
Instruction Manuel Bumper Sticker Newscast
Lesson Plan Skit
