Summer Honors Work Packet

Global StudiesResearch ProjectMr. Hildreth

Estimated TimeFor Completion:6 Hours

Objectives:Students should gain a better understanding of the cultural aspects of other countries and be able to compare them with the cultural aspects of their own.

Description of Activity:1. Students should select one country, other than the United States or Canada. Research it and identify the major CULTURAL aspects, which are unique to that country.

2. Students should research several statistical indicators about the country such as:

Life Expectance Infant Mortality Rate Literacy Rate GDP per capita Types of industries Average Income Government Structure/style Major Businesses/industries, Etc.

(THIS IS NOT YOUR WHOLE PAPER)

3. Students should also include in their research about the different cultural aspects such as:a. Languages spoken in their countryb. Traditions and holidays celebrated (and how they are celebrated)c. Religious practicesd. Food eaten (make sure its different than what we have)e. Education (meaning how long students typically go to school)f. Music stylesg. Art and Danceh. Clothing styles (if they are vastly different than our country)i. Male vs. Female roles (If they are vastly different than our country)j. Anything else that you can think of (have it approved by me)

4. Students should then type a 2 page (minimum) paper. In the first paragraph you need to explain what you are going to be talking (tell what the rest of your paper will be about). In the next paragraph you should give statistical information about the country explaining what it means. (Ex. Life expectancy means what about a countrys culture or lifestyle etc.) YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN YOUR FACTS.

Then in the next 3 paragraphs you need to explain some of their major cultural characteristics (talked about in item #3) Explain their holidays etc. Give details about them not just the days of the year they happen. Tell about their practices. Use the supporting data you have researched in your paper. (Document anything that is not common knowledge) MOST IMPORTANT PARAGRAPHS The next paragraph you should make some comparisons between what you know about your own culture to the cultural aspects of the country you have researched. This will require you to THINK and compare the two cultures. Last paragraph should be a conclusion basically restating the purpose of your paper. Explain what you found interesting about your countries culture and WHY it was interesting to you.

5. Any data used must be documented in proper MLA format. If it is not common knowledge you need to explain where it came from. Use quotes when necessary and explain what the information is. Any data that are numbers need to be cited. You will need to document with parenthetical citations. (This means when you use some date within the paragraph you document it at the end of the sentence)

6. Make sure the paper flows, has a purpose. Make connections and comparisons to your own traditions, lifestyles, etc. Do not make this paper a grocery list.

DO NOT WRITE THIS PAPER AS A CONVERSATION. DO NOT WRITE HOW YOU WOULD TALK.

Method(s) of Assessment: Students will be assessed in the following categories for the PAPER ONLY: A detailed explanation of grading procedures is shown on the rubric.

1. Research and factual input. Must have at least 7 researched items/facts incorporated into the paper. (At LEAST 3 must be separate cultural aspects) 2. Documentation (MLA format) must include at least 2-3 different sources. (You can NOT use all Internet sources)!3. Works Cited Page done in proper MLA format. (see English dept. the Librarian, or myself for help if needed)4. Length of paper. (Minimum 2 pages) Title Page is optional and does NOT count as a page. 5. Grammar/Spelling/Sentence Structure

Impact on Grade: This will be worth 50% of your Final grade (25% Essay, 25% Project). The point value assigned will be 100 points for the paper portion of the project. However, the paper will only be worth 25% of the final grade.

TOTAL POINTS: 100 DUE DATE: _________(Paper portion of project only)