Thursday, February 14, 2013

Post-Colonial Africa Research Project (AP and IB)

The aim of this research paper is to identify and explain a modern issue in post-colonial Africa. Pretty much any topic is fair game, from Somali pirates to apartheid to conflict diamonds to genocide to the Arab spring. If you are interested in reporting on it and it can be linked back to outside meddling by some foreign power, game on. This makes the actual purpose of the paper very simple: you must 1) demonstrate the ability to research and explain a topic, and 2) format that explanation appropriately with sufficient citation.
  • Topic: Any modern issue in post-colonial Africa that is a result of (or has been exacerbated by) outside influence by a more developed nation.
  • Format:
    • A minimum of 600 words
    • MLA or APA style
    • A minimum of 3 properly cited sources
  • Style: Expository
  • Due: March 1 @ 4:45:00pm on Turnitin.com 
If you are not sure if your topic is appropriate, come see me. If you find that you simply have no interest in your topic, change it. Seriously. The idea here is that you have been given a relatively simple task, so rock its socks. In other words, impress me.

HoD Mandala Assignment (AP and IB)

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning center and circle. It conveys the notion that any center is tied to its circumference and any circumference is always determined by its center. Together they represent wholeness. The characte mandala represents the student's analysis of the whole character in the selection.

After choosing your character, consider what traits that character displays and what happens to him/her in the story. Using your color symbolism notes, color the mandala according to the characteristics you have determined about your character. Whichever traits are the most important or most evident should be represented by colors and be dominant on the mandala. Any character you choose should have at leaste three or more charactistics and/or traits and those colors should be evident on your mandala. Above the mandala write the name of your character. On a separate piece of paper, type one paragraph about your character in which you:
  • introduce your character
  • explain what each color represents
  • explain the significance of the placement
  • provide textual evidence and personal commentary for each characteristic
  • conclude the paragraph with a thematic statement
The completed project should meet these criteria:
  • a choice of characteristics appropriate to the character demonstrating careful close reading
  • a pattern of colors that are representative of the character
  • effective organization, sentence fluency, word choice, and attention to conventions
  • appropriate evidence correctly cited
Due Friday, February 22, at the beginning of class.