Categories
modern middle east history

“Current Events Presentation: Exploring MENA Issues and Perspectives”

Current Events Presentation
Overview
The goal of this project is for you to ask some questions about a MENA event or topic that you are interested in, go out to find the best answer to those questions that you can, and then report back to the class what you have learned. 
Project Steps
Write some questions about current events in MENA that you still have after a semester
Find, annotate, and analyze news stories from different perspectives related to your question
Find background information about your news topics
Present your findings to class (4 minutes maximum)
Presentation Requirements
After your research project is finished, you will do a 4 minute presentation to class about what you found. Your presentation should include:
Your original question
A short summary of the current events related to your questions
What are the events?
What do the MENA and Non-MENA sources say?
A brief history of this topic
A Glossary of Important terms your classmates might hear about this in the news (should include 3 important words)
Your concluding questions
What questions do you still have about this topic after you finished your research?
Citations (MLA Style)
Your presentation should be factual, and focus on providing your classmates with context on events rather than your opinions about those events. 
Presentation Rubric
A – A+ 
Excelling
B – B+ 
Meeting
C – C+ 
Approaching
D – D+ Unit 
Emerging
Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries (10)
-Chooses an interesting question related to current ongoing event
-Plans research and finds 3 sources related to question
-Asks related and thoughtful follow up questions
-Chooses an interesting question related to current ongoing event
-Plans research and finds 3 sources related to question
-Asks related and thoughtful follow up 
questions
-Chooses an question not about a current event
-Finds sources unrelated to question
-Follow up questions are superficial
-Chooses an question not about a current event
-Finds sources unrelated to question
-No follow up questions
Score:        Notes:
Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence 
(10)
-News sources clearly demonstrate the perspective of all sides
-Background aids understanding of both sides of the issue
-Words in glossary are at the center of issue
-News sources are from regions related to issue
-Background aids understanding the issue
-Words in glossary are related to issue
-News sources or background contains some important perspectives, but missing others
-Not all words in glossary are important for issue
-News sources or background actively aids in misinformation or does not share perspectives on sides
-Words in glossary are inconsequential for issue
Score:        Notes:
Communicating conclusions and taking informed action (10)
-Presentation is factual and gives context to world events
-All required elements are present including:
-Questions (beginning and end)
-Overview of two perspectives
-Background
-Glossary
-Citation
-All evidence is properly cited using MLA format
-Presentation is less than 4 minutes
-Presentation is factual and gives context to world events
-All required elements are present including:
-Questions (beginning and end)
-Overview of two perspectives
-Background
-Glossary
-Citation
-All evidence is properly cited using MLA format
-Presentation is less than 4 minutes
-Presentation is opinionated or leaves out perspective
-Almost all required elements are present including:
-Questions (beginning and end)
-Overview of two perspectives
-Background
-Glossary
-Citation
-All evidence is properly cited using MLA format
-Presentation is less than 4 minutes
-Presentation is biased, judgemental, or missing perspectives
-Missing several required elements:
-Questions (beginning and end)
-Overview of two perspectives
-Background
-Glossary
-Citation
-Attempts to use MLA format but with errors
-Presentation is too long or too short 
Score:        Notes: