Modern History Research Project (12-15 PowerPoint Slides and an audio or video recording of your presentation.

Focus Question: What have been the most significant historical events in the last twenty years?

Steps/Activities by Student(s):

• Think about an issue/event in modern U.S. history that interests you. This issue/event should be from the last twenty years.
• Brainstorm ideas for research topics 
• You will research your topic and then create a PowerPoint presentation that you will share with the class.
• Carefully read through the directions provided by your teacher.
• Access databases to find sources for your project.
• Post your PowerPoint to the class (Discussion Board)
• Respond to at least two of your classmates' topics

Modern History Research Project Directions:

Choosing a Topic

First, choose the topic you want to research. Choose a topic that interests you—it will make the entire project easier. Your topic must be something significant for the United States from the early 2000s to the present. It must relate to one or more of the areas below:

     ~Society                 ~Technology            ~Domestic Politics

     ~Foreign Affairs       ~Economy               ~Environment

You can use your text for ideas and you may also check the news for topic ideas.

Research Topics

No matter what topic you choose, you will need to look into these areas as you conduct your research:

     ~Historical roots/background of topic

     ~Current status

     ~Important people, ideas, and terms involved in the event/issue

     ~What has been tried to resolve the issue (if applicable)

~If your topic is an issue, include your opinion of the issue and a proposal of how the issue could be dealt with based on your research.

~If your topic is not an issue, look for information that explains why it was a significant/important event in history.

Research Requirements

     ~You must include a minimum of five sources from scholarly sources.  I suggest using library databases.

~You will turn in a formal bibliography.

Presentation

You will present/post your research to the class using PowerPoint on the Discussion Board. The PowerPoint presentation should be an outline of your main points that you explain and expand on in speaker notes to the class.

Outcome: Students will have an in-depth knowledge of one topic in modern history. They will also benefit from peer research during class presentations.

Learning Expectation: Students will use their research skills to find appropriate sources for a presentation on an issue/event in modern history. They will use their writing skills and creativity to make an engaging PowerPoint presentation that will educate their peers about their chosen issue/event.

This writing assignment aligns with course level objectives 1-7 and module level objectives 1-13 from Chapter 17: The Challenges of the Twenty-First Century