The expectations for the project are pretty straightforward but are nonetheless high. You are to do serious, in-depth research to answer your chosen Essential Question and create an awesome video to convince an audience your answer is right.
You should approach this like you would an essay. You need a strong central argument (thesis) that you defend through excellent argumentation based on reason and evidence. You should address and refute possible counter-arguments, just like you would in an essay or debate. Do not make the mistake of valuing form (a beautiful video) over substance (an excellent, evidence-based argument). Both matter, of course, but critical thinking is always most important. That said, be creative!
Here are four examples from last year. Each has a different presentation style and each has strengths and weaknesses.
You should approach this like you would an essay. You need a strong central argument (thesis) that you defend through excellent argumentation based on reason and evidence. You should address and refute possible counter-arguments, just like you would in an essay or debate. Do not make the mistake of valuing form (a beautiful video) over substance (an excellent, evidence-based argument). Both matter, of course, but critical thinking is always most important. That said, be creative!
Here are four examples from last year. Each has a different presentation style and each has strengths and weaknesses.
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Your first video draft is due the day we return to school after the spring break, Monday April 6. We will watch some of the videos in class and you will all get very detailed feedback so you can improve. We will decide on an appropriate final due date as a class.
I am intentionally giving you a lot of freedom in this project, but here are some important guidelines:
Here are your chosen Essential Questions:
How similar were Hitler and Mussolini’s goals? (Clement)
How similar were Hitler and Mussolini’s methods of internal control? (Lindsey/Jenny)
How similar were Hitler and Mussolini’s use of youth as tools of totalitarianism? (Jessie/Michelle)
To what extent were Italian fascism and German Nazism a consequence of the Treaty of Versailles? (Alice)
To what extent were Italian fascism and German Nazism a consequence of the Great Depression?(Po)
Why were extreme ideologies so popular in Italy and Germany in the 1930s? (Shaun; Alan/ Darren/Jason)
I am intentionally giving you a lot of freedom in this project, but here are some important guidelines:
- You must use a minimum of three secondary sources and two primary sources. For the latter, you will need to discuss at some point in your video how the two primary sources you have chosen help explain your interpretation and support your argument. Primary and Secondary source materials are in a folder on Google Drive. These are excellent, but you are by no means restricted from consulting other sources you can find. Here is another great site for primary sources. Wikipedia and About.com, etc are NOT credible sources and do not count.
- Show strong critical thinking, creativity, and careful editing of audio and video.
- Try to keep your video under ten minutes.
- You will be expected to market your video, so think about how best to do this. Some bonus marks will be accruable based on views and/or likes. Unfortunately, because your phones are banned this year, we won't be able to use augmented reality apps.
Here are your chosen Essential Questions:
How similar were Hitler and Mussolini’s goals? (Clement)
How similar were Hitler and Mussolini’s methods of internal control? (Lindsey/Jenny)
How similar were Hitler and Mussolini’s use of youth as tools of totalitarianism? (Jessie/Michelle)
To what extent were Italian fascism and German Nazism a consequence of the Treaty of Versailles? (Alice)
To what extent were Italian fascism and German Nazism a consequence of the Great Depression?(Po)
Why were extreme ideologies so popular in Italy and Germany in the 1930s? (Shaun; Alan/ Darren/Jason)