CGW4U – Independent Study Unit

Rationale: An independent study project provides an opportunity for individual study of contemporary world issues and for involvement in a process-oriented approach to the writing of a formal research paper. When choosing your topic, recall that to be an issue there must be some sense of disagreement and the presence of open debate. Using the Inquiry Model will ensure that your project not only explains the issue but also highlights the differing opinions, identifies solutions, and justifies the solution that you personally support. The Inquiry Model takes you past a simple “factual” report—you must express your own opinions and explain why one of the differing opinions is convincing you of its merit.

Please Note: this assignment is worth 20% of your final mark for this course. You must complete all segments of the assignment by the due dates provided for you (see checklist below).

Your research paper should be at LEAST 1000 words in length but you will probably need more to be effective (No more than 2000 words). You must use graphics and analytical techniques appropriate for a university-stream geography course. Format for the writing of the paper will follow the “research report” style.

References must be varied and current. At least eight (8) different reference sources will be cited and placed in a proper format. Your topic must be relevant to our course of study and be presented from a geographical point of view. All references must be properly credited.

Make sure your paper also has:

□ i) at least two maps that reveal geopolitical aspects of issue

□ ii) at least two graphs, charts, etc. that display data/evidence used to support findings or perspectives

□ iii) at least two images that reflect/represent the socio-political/economic/environmental/resource scope of your issue that makes it a concern or controversial topic worthy of discussion and debate

*All visuals must have a referenced source below where it is used and be included in the reference list. The images can be incorporated into the body of the essay where they must be labeled and clearly referred to or included in a labeled appendix with reference in essay to the appendix found after last page of essay but before works cited list.

A) Selecting a Topic

There are a number of perspectives and ways in which world issues are viewed. When selecting a topic, you should consider one in which you are interested and is manageable in size. The study of environmental degradation, for example, is a popular topic but is too extensive for study, given the parameters of this project. The results will be too general and the work may become just a narrative of the problem and not analytical. When selecting a topic, you should determine a more specific topic and create a focus question in which to respond.

Example:

General Topic: Child Soldiers

Specific Topic: The Impact of Tamil Tiger Child Soldiers on Sri Lanka’s Future

Thesis: The reality of some children being forced to become child soldiers in Sri Lanka has had a negative impact on the potential future adult population of Sri Lankan society in terms of life expectancy, literacy rate and substance abuse, which will in turn erode a cultural minority striving for recognition of a unique cultural status and independence.

B) Planning Your Research: The Inquiry Model

1. Focus and Identify: this step involves defining the issue or problem, researching for background knowledge, and deciding what should receive priority.

2. Organize: develop a sequence of steps for investigating the issue and propose a thesis (a proposition to be proved).

3. Locate: search for, browse for and select relevant sources of information.

4. Record: make notes of useful information, fully document those sources for bibliographic purposes and assemble the Bibliography / References Cited listing.

5. Synthesize and Evaluate: evaluate the accuracy and completeness of the data collected, look for relationships among the data, selectively discard any material which is now inappropriate, evaluate the information you have collected to determine what more, if any, information is required, compare this information to your thesis and revise it if necessary, and propose a solution to the issue / problem.

6. Conclude: draw conclusions from all the data collected, determine if there are questions still unresolved, and re-evaluate the solution proposed in step 5.

7. Apply: make predictions or generalizations, and determine whether the solutions/conclusions can apply to other situations.

8. Communicate: communicate the results of the research in the most effective way, remembering to use maps, graphs, photographs, charts, sketches, diagrams, and models where appropriate to support your point of view.

C) Proposal

A proposal of your research establishes the focus question, explains your interest in the topic and what prior knowledge you have about the subject.

D) Bibliography

A working bibliography uses a recognized format (APA, MLA) and should be considered a work in progress throughout the ISU process. It represents the body of work that has to be referenced in the research of the project. It should demonstrate an adequate variety of sources from general to specific, including books, periodicals, newspapers, electronic and other media type.

E) Thesis

A thesis is a statement, idea, argument or theory that will be proven by the author.

Example: Canada signed the Kyoto Accord to reduce green house gases because it reflects the beliefs and values of the people of the country.

F) Outline

In an outline the ideas that are used to support the thesis are listed. In the case of this ISU consideration should be given to two of the following perspectives; political, economic, environmental and social and various ideas for each perspective should be provided. The Canadian perspective of the world issue should also be examined.

6. Conclusion

a. Restate the thesis and the main perspectives that were used to support the argument.

The final two stages of the ISU process require you to submit a rough draft of the paper, have a meeting with the teacher to discuss suggested changes, and to submit a final copy of the ISU paper

G) Rough Draft

Once the research has been completed, a rough draft of the ISU is written.

The following should be considered;

i. The ISU is organized according to the previously created (revised) outline.ii. Introduction and conclusion are appropriate and relevant to the research.iii. Personal pronouns (ie. I, you we) are not used.iv. Work has been proofread; (Grammar and spelling errors are minimal.)v. An indication in the text, of work used for support, is provided.vi. Bibliography is included.

H) Final Copy

Prior to submitting the final copy complete the following;

i. Corrections from the rough draft are madeii. Citations of sources that are used are accurate and complete.iii. Bibliography is complete.iv. Title page that includes: Student's name, Title, Date, Course name and code, Teacher's name.

CHECKPOINTS:

Checkpoint 1: Tuesday, February 16

You have chosen a broad topic you would like to pursue in your independent study. Some overall general areas have been suggested in this outline. Your topic might be related to the reading you are doing for checkpoint 2, but it does not have to be. Any issue that has a worldwide scope can be studied by the use of maps and various other geographical techniques will be

acceptable. (TOPIC has been selected, and recorded on sign-up sheet; first come, first-served!)

Checkpoint 2: Monday February 22

Topic Selection Sheet (outlining why you have chosen this issue) must be submitted.

Checkpoint 3: Friday, March 11

Most issues are complex. A topic needs limits so that you know what to include in your research and what to leave out. Focus your topic by using a question to define the topic (THESIS). Submit you thesis (underline it) and complete the Thesis Formation sheet. You now have a couple of weeks to get your topic focused. Be prepared for an interview with your teacher. Have the work completed so far with you along with some examples of sources.

Checkpoint 4: Wednesday April 6

You have expanded your information search in order to obtain additional relevant information. Is there a particular periodical or book that contains important information? Evaluate your sources of information for accuracy, bias and relevance to your focussed thesis statement. Hand in an annotated bibliography of the references you intend to use. (ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY SHEET) Remember you need to have 8 sources, one from each type.

Checkpoint 5: Wednesday April 20

You have been recording information for the past few weeks. To organize the information in a meaningful way, you should create subtopics. What subtopics are you using? Should they follow a particular order when you write your essay? Submit the RESEARCH ESSAY OUTLINE SHEET.

Checkpoint 6: Wednesday May 18

Essay is due.

Seminar Component (May 19 onward)

You will deliver a seminar presentation to the class focussing on your specific world issue. Your seminar will provide your classmates with an overall understanding of your topic.

You are required to provide:

the historical context underlying causes current areas of concern geographical area the global impacts (social, environmental, political, economic) solutions: individuals and organizations addressing the issue class set of a one page handout of the essential info on your topic to

distribute to classmates the informed opinion you have come to based on your research

findings (i.e. what is your perspective on this topic?) a visual representation of some aspect of your world issue (poster,

poster board, video clip (no more than 3 minutes), slide show (not power point from class notes), other – please consult with me in advance. The purpose of your visual is to be informative, reflective and persuasive in nature (why your proposed action steps are so necessary).

Some aspect of your presentation must be interactive with the rest of the class (Brief Discussion Question, Quiz, Role Play, etc.)

Be prepared to discuss the key issues of your topic with the class for a length of approximately 10-15 minutes. Also, you will be required to answer questions from the class related to your presentation.

Independent Study Unit – Potential Topics

The following is a list of potential topics. The list is not complete – if there is a geopolitical issue that you would like to pursue, please discuss the topic with me!

AIDS in Africa Safe drinking water Water as a Commodity Endangered Species: What to

do? How will the world change?

Female genital mutilation: the Rising challenge in women’s rights

Human Trafficking: organ stealing/sex trafficking/illegal smuggling of people

Rise of fundamentalism/radicalism

Fair trade Diseases of poverty (polio,

sleeping sickness…) Illiteracy and the impact of a

lack of education Future of green energy Desertification The role of the UN North Korea’s future Child poverty &/or Child

labour &/or Child soldiers Women in development Spreading peace through

sports or music Stopping global warming Separatist movements: Tamil

in Sri Lanka, Basques in Spain/France, Kurds in Mid East…

Sweatshops: Human rights International illegal drug trade

Relations with China: trade and/or human rights with a Rising Superpower

Oceans: overfishing, oil spills, pollution levels

Role of religion in governments (Sharia law)

Israel and Palestine – the roots of the Mid-East conflict

Legacy of Colonialism in Africa

China and Tibet or China and Taiwan

Afghanistan – Past to Future Muslim Unrest in Modern

Europe – Why? What does it mean?

World Bank, IMF, and World Trade Organization – What, how and the changes

Terrorism – Goals, Methods and Impact

Arab Spring – current situation in Syria &/or Bahrain &/or Saudi Arabia…

Congo – Minerals and Slaughter (Blood Diamonds+)

Pirates in Somalia Iran’s Nuclear Threat EU financial crisis Nigeria – Oil Rich – Human

Rights?? Environmental Impact of War Landmines Politics of Destruction – Zimbabwe &/or ???

Women’s rights and the Taliban in Afghanistan Impacts of China’s Industrial Revolution Impacts of Poverty in Africa Nations Sweatshops / Child Labour Canadian Military in Afghanistan Cost of Hurricane Katrina Child Soldiers (Various Countries) Greenpeace – Effective or Radical? Gun Violence in Canada/US, etc. Iran Nuclear Program – Is it a Threat? Israel-Palestine Relations Impacts of Galapagos Islands Tourism Organ Harvesting (Various Countries) Controversies of Stem Cell Research Pharmaceutical Dominance and the Third World Impacts of Censorship in Communist Countries Rising Oil Prices; Who Sets the Price? Population Explosion and Resource Demand Food Supply and Accessibility Role of the United Nations – Diminishing/Vital Causes of Species Extinction & its Impacts Nuclear Disarmament Effects of Globalization AIDS and Africa Impacts of Environmental Crisis in Rich vs Poor Nations Climate Change and Spread of Disease Impacts of Urban Sprawl in Developing Cities Causes of Childhood Obesity, Impacts on Life Expectancy Impacts of Consumption in Bio-Fuels – Good or Bad? Female Infanticide Female Genital Mutilation Human Trafficking and World Sport Events Canada/USA Border Issues

ESSAY CHECKLIST

RESEARCH:

Adequate # of resources were consulted Consulted a variety of works that presented differing/competing interpretations Consulted works representing differing time periods, including modern, up-to-date

interpretations

Demonstrated initiative in searching out these sources/Real effort was shown Talked to your teacher about sources Used effective examples from ALL sources in the essay

WRITING/PRESENTATION:

Title page that includes title, my name, teacher's name etc. the essay is typed/word processed grammar has been checked spelling has been checked essay checked for slang/colloquial language contractions (don't becomes do not) have been eliminated checked for sentence fragments, run-on sentences etc. paragraphs are coherent and represent grouping of ideas (NOT necessarily

arguments) topic sentences in each paragraph are clear and effective transitions BETWEEN paragraphs provide a seamless shifting of gears transitions WITHIN .... introduction includes effective topic sentence, thesis and summary of arguments (feel

free to vary the structure of this ENTIRELY) conclusion restates thesis, summarizes arguments and concludes with a thoughtful

last line arguments are organized so that related themes are situated together quotations are introduced (Full sentence, use a colon; phrase, use a comma) and

are incorporated into the text effectively (WATCH TENSES) long quotations are single-spaced, indented - NO quotation marks Tenses are consistent. Generally use PAST tense when referring to past events; use present tense when introducing authors/books since they live forever.

THESIS DEVELOPMENT/ARGUMENTATION:

Thesis is clearly stated somewhere in the essay (usually in intro) Thesis is argued consistently throughout the essay Thesis is sustainable; that is to say, you make a reasonable case using reasonable

evidence.

Evidence/examples have been provided evidence/examples actually prove your thesis You have explained each piece of evidence THOROUGHLY You have explained in each argument HOW & WHY the argument proves the thesis You have endeavoured to present an unique view instead of jumping on a bandwagon

DOCUMENTATION:

You have a bibliography/stupid works cited page You have used the proper format in the bibliography/stupid works cited page You have used footnotes/notes/stupid MLA format You have footnoted/documented every fact that may be open to question, every

interpretation borrowed, every quotation used You have used the proper format for notes/footnotes/MLA format

ISU Assessment and Evaluation

Topic Selection Sheet: /5%Thesis: /5%Annotated Bibliography: /5%Research Outline:

/10%Essay:

/60%Seminar:

/15%Total:

/100%

TOPIC SELECTION

Students will select a world issue and perform an independent research on this chosen topic. The topic chosen should be one that captures your interest. The world issue that you choose must be controversial enough to allow for at least two opposing points of view.

JUSTIFICATION FOR TOPIC SELECTION

TOPIC: _____________________________________________________________

A. Give two reasons why you selected this world issue.

1.

2.

Based on your initial survey of reference material, what are the three important themes or issues pertinent to this world issue?

1.

2.

3.

THESIS FORMATION

List five questions related to your topic:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Choose the one that you feel you could best prove:

Write out your thesis statement:

List the three subtopics that you will use to prove your viewpoints.

1.

2.

3.

RESEARCH ESSAY OUTLINE- CANADIAN AND WORLD ISSUES

Paragraph 1 (Introductory Paragraph)

Background Information:

Thesis Statement:

Sub-Topics:

1.

2.

3.

Paragraph 2 (Sub-Topic 1)

Evidence:

1.

2.

3.

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 3 (Sub-Topic 2)

Evidence:

1.

2.

3.

Concluding Sentence:

Paragraph 4(Sub-Topic 3)

Evidence:

1.

2.

3.

Concluding Sentence:

Conclusion Paragraph:

Independent Study Annotated Bibliography

The requirement for this ISU assignment is to produce an annotated bibliography. That is you will submit a bibliography in a formal style accompanied by specific information that will be used from the source. The reference to the article etc. must be accompanied by a description of how that source will be used. Remember you sources can range from periodicals, books, Internet, maps, graphs, charts, tables, etc. You must have a minimum of 8 sources along with a one paragraph description of how you will use the information in the source. You must have at least one source from paper sources, one from the internet (web site) and one from an online source (database).