APWH Research Project #1

APWH Research and Presentation Assignment

This is both a research assignment as well as a presentation activity. Your task is to research something in world history that you are interested in learning more about. It must be a topic that was only briefly touched upon in the textbook and in class. You will spend a couple of weeks reading about your topic in order to become experts in the area. Your research will culminate in a 40-minute presentation in front of the class with your partner (s).

Topic Requirements:

1. Select a topic from chapters 8-14, roughly 600-1500 CE. You may not select a topic outside of this time period.

2. Do not simply research your topic in isolation. You must connect your topic to another society or culture. This society or culture does not have to be at the same time period as your own but should be relatively close for comparison purposes.

3. You should actually take hand-written notes as you read about your topic. Five to ten pages of hand written notes is not unrealistic if you intend to become an expert on your topic. After you have taken notes, you should write an outline with your partner for your presentation.

Presentation Requirements:

1. Your presentation should last around 40 minutes but no less than 35 minutes. Each person should speak for roughly the same amount of time. However, all presenters should be equally knowledgeable about the topic.

2. You must create a slide show on your topic. I do not want you to create a handout to pass out to the class while you speak. Students will need to take notes as each group presents. Do not have large paragraphs on your slides. Have a short phrase and be able to elaborate on it. You may also show a video or movie clip as part of your presentation.

3. You should have at least 15 slides in your presentation. At least two of the slides must connect your topic another civilization or society. Slides should include text as well as visuals.

4. Ideally, you should speak without any notes or note cards. However, if you must have some note cards, just refer to them occasionally during your presentation.

5. You presentation must be creative in some way. This can take many forms but should not take up the bulk of your presentation time. Ideas for making your presentation creative and exciting: dressing up in character, making a model, baking relevant food, singing a song or teach the class to sing a song, and creating a quiz game for the class to play after the presentation.

6. Organization/Preparation. I want groups ready to present on the assigned day unless there is a monsoon. This also means that must have all of your materials ready to go at the start of class. Slide shows should be done on Google Drive or put on a flash drive.

Possible topics:

The Mamluks Islamic Spain

Mongol Women Head coverings

Geishas Vladimir I

Concubines in China vs Islam Mayan Religion

Eunuchs Catholic Pilgrimage Sites

The Crusades The Grand Canal

Junks vs. Viking Long Boats Su Song's Astronomical Clock

Song Inventions Tale of Genji

Aztec Human Sacrifice Role of women in Japan

Champa (not just the rice) Zheng He

The Forbidden City (make a model) Noh Drama Performances

Mansa Kankan Musa (dress up) Show ships (make one!)

Church of Saint George Ethiopia Hindu Women

The Hanseatic League guilds

The persecution of Jews in Europe The Black Death

Gothic Cathedrals Ming Weaponry

a Renaissance artist (compare with China) Incan economy