history project
014:112:H5 FINAL PROJECT GUIDE DUE DATE: AUGUST 15
The greatest impact of African American studies scholarship is that it helps generate considerable
dialogue across communities. Although this dialogue is not always easy, it allows Americans to measure
and interrogate the limitations of the nation’s democratic ideals. Yet African American studies is also an
important discipline because it allows us to use the black experience in the United States as a model to
promote social equality for poor and non -white communities in the nation. For your final as signment in
this course, you will create a mock initiative that target s social equality in this way.
In an interactive presentation of your choosing, you will identify a social, political or economic
issue you believe hinders social justice and equality for African Americans. You will also explain why
your specific issue is something more Americans should be paying attention to. Her, you may want to
include details based on academic research. You do not have to do an extensive amount of research,
simply work to provide your audience with a little bit of context that can help them understand why you
chose the iss ue you are presenting about. The rest of your presentation should propose a public initiative
for addressing the issues you point to in the beginn ing of your presentation.
Your proposal should be something feasible, but does not have to be local. For example, you may
point out an issue that is prevalent in the United State and related to issues for a black community in the
Caribbean or South Amer ica. You might also focus specifically on an international community and
explain why how we can address this community’s needs and why it is important to do so. Remember
that your project can be a prezi, a mini -documentary, a power point, a mock social me dia campaign, a
mock advertisement, a creative writing piece, a digital illustration, or something similar . It simply needs
to engage your audience by demonstrating why your chosen topic is an important issue we should be
working to address presently.
Th ere are no restrictions on how creative your presentation is, but keep in mind that you should
be able to upload it to blackboard so that the class can see it. I will post a link for everyone to submit their
projects by the end of the day on August 15 th. In addition to your presentation you are required to submit
a short one paragraph proposal of your project here: [email protected] . The proposal should include
a brief description of your chosen issue, your plan of action and at least two sources from your research
that will help you give full context to the project. If you are unsure about format, the proposal can also
note that you are thinking through some of the specifics of the presentation. In this case, I a m happy to
help. Completing your proposal will allow me to give you feedback and suggestions as you move
forward. It will also provide you with an early plan of action for your project. Should you have any
questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to e mail me for help.