PowerPoint GROUP Research Project

INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES—PROFESSOR D. CLARK

 

(NOTE: Detailed printed handouts about this project were previously distributed in class.)

 

  • Topic - clearly organized and based upon an arguable thesis, not a simple fact – i.e. opinion based on research.  Include opposing views in your presentation as well.
  • Length - 15 minutes maximum, professionally presented via PowerPoint.  The dynamics of who presents (and how the topic is presented) is up to you as a group as long as all members are present at the front of the room.  Members not showing up for the presentation without approval are subject to automatic 50% group grade reduction.  Members not cooperating/contributing according to group consensus may receive a lower group grade depending upon circumstances. (Project = 200 points total)
  • One printout of the entire PowerPoint and emailed electronic copy per group, but each person will also hand in a separate MLA formatted 1-2 pg. OVERVIEW.  The group should compile an MLA-formatted "Works Cited" page together with a minimum of ten sources.  More details TBA.  (See checklist provided in class. 50% of grade - group outcome & participation, 50% - individual)
  • Handouts, graphs, audio, film clips, etc. are encouraged to enhance your project!
  • Use the WRITING CENTER (bring the "General Instructions" and "Checklist" printed handouts with you) for editing concerns.  Organization, thesis and support, and grammatical/mechanical issues will affect your final grade.
  • PowerPoint software and lab assistants are available in the Collin Computer Lab.

 

Sample Research Ideas: (These are very general in scope.  Do not choose one of these without discussing a variety of ideas with your group.  You should strive for a specific, focused thesis.)

 

HELPFUL HINT:  Finish this sentence to determine your thesis statement:  The purpose of our PowerPoint Research Project is to convince our peers that _________________________________ because ___________________________________________________________________________________.

 

HELPFUL HINT II:  Remember that our course is about the CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION of humankind...does your topic relate to that?

 

1.       Inventions and innovations or inventors and innovators: e.g. _______ the most influential scientist of the 18th century (or other centuries) because...

2.       Architects/Architecture: e.g. __________as the most influential architect of the 20th century (or other centuries).

3.       Artists/Artistic Eras: e.g. _______and Surrealism - or _______ vs. ________ as true founder of modern art.  (Also consider less-discussed art and its impact, e.g. catacombs and icons)

4.       Film/Photography: e.g. ___________ vs. __________ as most influential science-fiction film director - or  _________ as most influential photographer of WWII, the Depression, etc.

5.       Dance: e.g. ________ vs. _________ as founder/leader of ____________ modern dance.

6.       Music: e.g. _________ music has influenced rock genre more than any other 20th century genre.

7.       Literature/Philosophy: e.g. 19th century writer ____________ has impacted today’s popular culture more than any other of his/her period.

 

Another way to approach topic selection is to ask questions (which can be converted into thesis statements).  For example:

  •  Who is the leader in “green” architecture today – and should this type of construction be mandatory for all future construction?

  •  Is our dependence upon technology today affecting our human connections in a more adverse or positive way?  What are we losing and/or gaining in the process?

  • Who is the most innovative independent film director today?

  • Were Paleolithic cave paintings less about ritual and survival and more about artistic expression than what scholars have previously surmised?