SOPHOMORE EXHIBITION

The Sophomore Exhibition is the culminating project for this course and is designed to be a forum for you to exhibit the skills and knowledge you have developed this year, along with an opportunity to show your best work. Specifically, you will be required to research a topic and evaluate it from three social science perspectives. You will write a persuasive essay and deliver a detailed presentation, which needs to be augmented with audio-visual materials.  The following are the criterion for the different assignments that comprise the exhibition.

I. TOPIC SELECTION

   A. Each student will need to select a topic from any time period or era studied this year and is not limited to strictly

       historical subjects.

   B. Final approval of your topic must be obtained from your instructor. No duplicate topics will be approved.

II. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

   A. After you have had your topic approved and narrowed, you are ready to start researching.

   B. As evidence of your basic research you will need to produce an annotated bibliography which evaluates the credibility

       and reliability of your sources. This information will later be used on your Works Consulted page for your essay.

III. EXHIBITION PAPER

A.      To fulfill the paper requirement you will need to write a 3-4 page persuasive essay organized around the following

      prompt: Based on (3) social science perspectives, did your  topic have a positive or negative impact?

   B. To develop and support your thesis you will need to cite research from at least three sources (print, CD-ROM, or

       electronic), none of which can be encyclopedias.

   C. The paper must be word-processed using an appropriate 12 point font and double-spaced.

   D. Your final paper should demonstrate mastery of the writing skills we have emphasized throughout the year.  Specific

       assessment will be based on: 1)content  2)organization  3)Style  4) conventions and 5) MLA.

IV. EXHIBITION PRESENTATION

   A. To fulfill the presentation requirement you will need to deliver a detailed and interesting 6-8 minute presentation.

   B. The presentation must be structured around an informative historical tour of the four most important sites associated

       with your topic.  These sites should illustrate the significant events and overall impact of your topic.  The sites you

       select are up to you, but they must be specific places that you can actually visit today.

   C. Your presentation must be accompanied by a topic outline of your information and the audio-visual aid(s) used to

       support your content. 

   D. Moreover, your presentation should demonstrate a command of the delivery skills we have been working on throughout

       the year.  Assessment will be based on 1) topic outline, 2) content and organization, 3) delivery, and 4) visual aid.

IV. DUE DATES

4-6-09      6 sources

4-9-09       Narrowed topics

4-16-09     Annotated Bibliography

4-24-09     Outline of paper

5-1-09       1^st draft paper

5-7-09       2^nd draft of paper

5-15-09     Final draft of paper

Name _______________________________________

EXHIBITION: TOPIC SELECTION

Successful completion of the Sophomore Exhibition depends upon careful consideration and selection of a topic that has played an important role in the development of Western Civilization.  I also encourage you to select a topic that you find personally relevant and will sustain your interest.  Please indicate below your top three preferences along with an explanation of your interest in the topic.  

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