Modern Crisis

Task: Teach the class about a modern crisis that you are interested in. With your group members develop a way to improve the crisis.

Create groups of 3 total people.

You will need to practice your presentation and give me an estimated run-time before the due date.


Use the following structure:

  1. Tell them what you plan on telling them. (Introduce your project)
  2. Grab their attention. (Why should they care?)
  3. Present this story utilizing a visual aid. All three people must speak publicly.
  4. Check to see if the audience gets it… Lead a 10 minute discussion/Field Questions/Etc… (This is up to you)
  5. Present your solution to this crisis.
  6. Have the audience take your E.Q. quiz.


Topic Options:

  • Israel/Palestine Conflict
  • Afghanistan/Al Qaeda
  • Egypt/Arab Spring
  • Syria/Refugee Crisis
  • Iraq/ISIS/ISIL


*You must use three books (not including your text book) and two online websites in your research. Ask for help from Ms. Tarr. Remember, you must submit an MLA formatted bibliography.


You must provide the teacher with a rough outline (05/10/2017) and an essential question (05/05/2017) for your lesson. You must also write the ideal answer to that question.

Goals:**

  1. Explain the necessary background so that your classmates understand the modern crisis you’ve selected. Begin during WWII/Cold War and trace the major causes and effects of this conflict.
  2. Explain the role the United States has played/plays in this event. Discuss the current crisis
  3. Develop a policy package/military solution/etc. that you would use if you were the President’s special advisor team. Base this on the work of experts in the field.
  4. You must submit an MLA formatted bibliography.


Suggested Steps:

  1. Review the steps below and agree on “virtual” meet up dates/times to check in with each other on your progress.
  2. Go home and read basic information about your topic. Check the textbook for information as well. Go online and get a basic understanding of the crisis. Create a list of keywords that will help you find additional information. Go to the library and check out books on the topic and country. Get help from the librarian.
  3. Map out the story of this country from your background research. This should look like a rough outline that you can talk to me about. Bounce ideas off of me frequently so that you ensure that you’re heading in the right direction.
  4. Delegate different sections of the research “deep dive” to the members of your group. Everyone should understand the rough outline and now it’s time to flesh it out. Each of you should become experts on this portion the crisis’ history. Each of you should be responsible for creating that portion of the project.
  5. Discuss with your group how you think you should teach this story to the class. Brainstorm those methods that your teachers use that you find particularly effective and have a general plan regarding how you will present your crisis.
  6. Create an essential question. Have the students in the class answer the question. At the end of the period you will collect this question and check it for accuracy.

New York Times Upfront

A news magazine published by the New York Times, but aimed at high school students. Look at the following articles for good summaries on modern conflicts.

BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)

BBC offers great news coverage, as well as background information on many modern issues. Use Bibme.org to create a citation.

Global Issues in Context

Integrates news, global viewpoints, reference content, country information, primary source documents, statistical data and multimedia resources. Includes major reference sources, full-text journals, magazines, and newspapers, as well as video and audio clips from sources like NBC and NPR. Use this to find out about major global issues like poverty, global warming, nuclear proliferation, online piracy and more. From the homepage, pick "Conflict and Diplomacy" and find your topic - each topic includes background articles (linked below) as well as reference, news, images, opinion pieces and more. All articles include citations, and can be saved to your Google Drive.

Stanford University - Mapping Militant Organizations

Interactive maps, timelines and profiles of major militant organizations around the world.

The Islamic State

Al Qaeda

US Department of State

The State Department is in charge of US foreign policy. Check their website for official reports and information about official US foreign policy, as well as official reports about terrorism around the world.

Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism

ISIS - "The Global Coalition: Working to Defeat ISIS" Fact Sheet

ISIS - The Global Coalition to Counter ISIS

ISIS - Background Briefing on the Effort to Defeat ISIS

Israel - Fact Sheet is "currently being updated" and not available

Iraq - US Relations with Iraq Fact Sheet

Egypt - Fact Sheet is "currently being updated" and not available

Afghanistan - US Relations with Afghanistan

United Nations

Their website can be difficult to search - you might have better luck doing a Google search for your topic and "UN resolutions" or "UN sanctions," and then select a news source you trust.

News articles from various sources

Be aware of who is publishing the content, and whether they are a credible source.

Israel - Israel-Palestinian Conflict (brief summaries of proposed solutions) from BBC

Israel - A Realistic Solution to the Israel-Palestinian Conflict from Forbes

Afghanistan - Can ISIS and Al Qaeda Unite to Save Eachother in Iraq and Syria? from Newsweek

Afghanistan - How can Al Qaeda be Defeated? from Washington Post

Egypt - Arab Spring - Five Years On from Amnesty International

Egypt - After the Arab Spring: The Ruining of Egypt from The Economist

SYria - Syria Ceasefire Opens Door for Political Solution, Says UN from CNN

Syria - Toward Solutions for the Syria Refugee Crisis from the Brookings Institute

Iraq - Contain ISIS - from The Atlantic

Iraq - Iraqis Worry About Rebuilding After ISIS is Gone from USA Today