History 102: Biography Project

For this assignment, each student will receive the name of an individual who made a significant contribution to American society.
Assignment Purposes:
To come to understand how a particular person's experiences can illuminate our understanding of the period and circumstances in which he/she lived.

To learn to do research of the sort professional historians do; locating, examining, and using appropriate source materials, and presenting one's findings to readers.

The finished project should be 5 to 6 pages in length consisting of 2 parts of approximately equal length.

Assignment:

Biographical Sketch: a) A factual account of the person's life, emphasizing aspects that are of historical significance.

b) Provide evidence and explanation of the person's historical contribution(s) and significance. Evidence must be documented with references and citations to sources.

How and why is this person considered to be important?

What does her or his life tell us about the times in which he/she lived; about important social, scientific, cultural, economic, or political developments; about the United States at the time?

Annotated Bibliography: You are to create a list of reliable and relevant sources that illuminate your person's life and contributions. This list should include the sources that you used for this project as well as others that you can identify that may be available at the Bird Library and those that are unavailable.

To get started with your research - you will find the following helpful:

"Research Starting Points" - easy to use great place to start!!

Also check out: Reference Services/Research Assistance

To search for books related to your person, begin with the SUMMIT Local Catalog

This is the electronic catalog for the Syracuse University Library.

Other library holdings (what books and resources a library has) plus articles from magazines, journals and newspapers can be found at the

Databases Main Menu - some of the indexes that you might find useful for this project are listed on your project outline.

Be sure to explore the reference materials available at Bird and also in your High School library.

The Internet is a valid place to look for information just be sure to check the integrity of the source!!!!

Links to search engines listed in your project are available on this blog.

Help is available from Bird Library's Reference Desk and the Library's History Specialist, Mark Weimer: mfweimer@syr.edu

Pros & Cons Lesson

An Analyzing and Reading Project

- Research your approved controversial topic using internet and or book sources. Actively read, analyze, take notes and create a T chart of the pro and con evidence presented.
Remember to include facts, statistics and authorities as part of your evidence!!!

Internet articles must be printed and have vocabulary and important evidence highlighted. Copies must be attached to the back of your project for credit**********

-Write a paragraph (Topic sentence, 3 supporting details and concluding sentence) to express your personal opinion on this topic.

-Locate 5 new vocabulary words from your research. Copy the sentence from the original source and underline the vocabulary word. Copy the word definition from the dictionary and write a sentence of your own for each one. Demonstrate your comprehension of the word meaning in each sentence.

-Present your T chart in class to educate us about your topic. Speak clearly, at an audible level and in a professional manner!!!

Topics brainstormed in class::::

Raising age for junior driver's license
Year 'round school
Adoption by gay couples
Gay marriage
School uniforms
Stem cell/Embryo research
Vitamin drinks and muscle building
Rap music and violence
Video games and teen violence
Home schooling

Project Pages::::

1- Titled T chart
2- Neatly written paragraph and vocabulary
3-Highlighted internet article
4-Student draft/notes from book sources +++Remember to use title of book!!!

College Life Presentations

College Prep Final Project
College Life Presentations (200 pts)

Project Steps:

1) Narrow the Topic - when searching for information on a broad topic, think of key words to help you get the information you want. When using book sources, consult the index to pinpoint the information you are looking for. Internet and database searches can be narrowed by using and, or, not in your search. Example(s): Greek life and pledging, campus living and date rape.
You can also use the "+" sign to add to your search (college+depression)

2) Write a Proposal - include a Thesis Statement of your narrowed topic, your proposed solution and a detailed description of you Visual Aid
Visual Aid: Chart, Handout, Video, Power Point etc

3) Paper - MLA format (see format links) 5 pages including: Title page, parenthietical or in text citations, and works cited page. (see link to Noodletools for free MLA format account)
4 valid sources including one book or journal

4) List of Topics -

Adjusting to freedom from parents
Freshman 15
Commuting vs Living on Campus
Balancing Athletics and Academics
Exploring one's sexuality
Managing Time
Connection between ethnic groups and admissions policies
Ensuring personal safety
Political corruptness on campus
Campus crime - protecting personal property
Coping with homesickness
Eating disorders
Binge drinking in Greek life
College costs & financial management
Pressures of military schools
Drug abuse
Managing personal finances
Date Rape
Religious life on campus
Dorm issues
Suicide prevention
Depression
Hazing in Greek life
Poor academic skills

Links for project -

CQResearcher
User Name: beachhs Password: long
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/login.php?requested=%2Fcqresearcher%2Findex.php&PHPSESSID=bcoguu46dq68fsvqpsqral7i32

Holocaust Research Project

In Our Memory They Will Live On.....

For this project you will research the life of a Holocaust survivor. The guidelines for this project are listed below:

1) Using reference materials and on line sources, you will locate a Holocaust survivor that you would like to research.

2) Learn as much as you can about your survivor. At a minimum, your project should include the following information:

- Birth date and place
- School attended (if applicable)
- Date and location of deportation
- Time spent in concentration camp
- Family members

Along with books sources the following websites can be used for research:

http://www.holocaustsurvivors.org/

http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/people/survivor.htm

http://remember.org/

http://www.holocaustforgotten.com/survivors.htm
Information on non-Jewish Holocaust survivors

http://www.holocaustcenter.org/index.php

http://holocaust.umd.umich.edu/

http://isurvived.org/

http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/vhi

http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/pp.asp?c=fwLYKnN8LzH&b=242614

http://www.eliewieselfoundation.org/ElieWiesel/index.html

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005142
Children of the Holocaust

http://auschwitz.dk/Holocaust1.htm

http://www.oskarschindler.com/

"Simon, if you had gone back to building houses, you'd be a millionaire. Why didn't you?" "You're a religious man," replied Wiesenthal. "You believe in God and life after death. I also believe. When we come to the other world and meet the millions of Jews who died in the camps and they ask us, ‘What have you done?,’ there will be many answers. You will say, ‘I became a jeweler,’ Another will say, ‘I have smuggled coffee and American cigarettes,’ Another will say, ‘I built houses,’ But I will say, ‘I did not forget you’."

Link for Poster Creation::::::
http://poster.4teachers.org/

Introducing Social Issues Research

Research Lesson

The following is a guide created to help you begin your research project on Social Issues. Using books sources, internet links and online databases you will select your topic and begin to compile the information needed to complete your tasks.

The following is a list designed to help you plan your search. Good information seeking strategies begins with asking the right questions.

1) The Assignment

What are the directions for this project?

What is it that I need to know about my topic?

What do I already know about my topic?

By defining your task you will have an easier time seeking and obtaining the information you need. If a list of question is not provided by your instructor you can create your own list by asking and answering the questions listed above. This will help give you clear goals when beginning your research.

2) Strategies

When compiling research on a topic it might surprise you the amount of information there is available and how much has NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOU NEED. Need a good example of this Google search your topic with no modifications and watch how many hits come back. Too many and before you scroll down the first page half the hits will be of little use to you.

When using databases, internet sites or even the electronic card catalog in the library; you can narrow or broaden your subject in order to control the information that you recieve.

EX.:

Subject Narrowed Narrowed Narrowed Narrowed

Science Space Solar System Planets Jupiter

Go back to your questions on your topic and create a KEY WORD list. This list should be words specific to your topic but narrowed to help you get the specifics you need to complete your project.

3) Consider the Source: Database Searches vs The Internet

There is alot of good information available on the internet. The problem with using the internet as a primary source for a school project is that not all the information on the web is accurate. Anyone can post anything on the internet. You might come across a really well written article on your topic and want to use it for your project only to find out it was written by a student in another state.

When using the internet look to see where the information is coming from.

For this project, an article posted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) or another government agency would be perfectly suitable.

*** When using an internet source, if possible, print the pages out and make note of the date you accessed the site. Unlike books, internet sites can be altered and the information may not be there later on.

Databases

Databases are a safe and easy way to search and compile good information from good sources.

All information located in databases has been verified and reviewed by persons in the same field as the author. (Ex.: An article written by a Cryptozoologist would be reviewed by other Cryptozoologists and accepted before it can be posted. This is called PEER REVIEWING.)

The following is a list of the databases available through Long Beach High School.

Teen and Health Wellness

SIRS Knowledge/SIRS Discoverer

CQResearcher

4) Citations

Along the side of this blog are several links to on-line citation sites.

While compiling your information, take note of the following:

BOOK SOURCE: Title, Author, Publisher, City of Publication and Date of Publication

This can all be found on the Title Page which is located in the front of the book.

INTERNET SOURCE: Name of author, Title of article, Title of homepage, URL, Date you visited.

DATABASE: Name of author, Title of article, Name of journal, Volume and number of journal, Page numbers, Date published.

5) Synthesis

Go back and review your assignment CAREFULLY. Can you complete your assignment with the information you have obtained? If not, what else do you need?
If you have used one source exclusively it may be time to try another one. You may need to narrow or broaden your topic searches. Look at your KEY WORDS, can you add, eliminate or change a word to bring back different information? What other words are associated with our topic?

Additional Sites WRT 105

These are links related to Iraq war - injuries to soldiers and prisoner treatment

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/186/6/476

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/351/24/2471

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/iraq/genevaconventions.html

http://www.crimesofwar.org/special/Iraq/brief-pow.html