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This project, which all 11th graders participate in, builds on the skills from earlier term papers and also takes it up a notch in two ways:
In their short (max 4 page) research paper, students will put primary and scholarly sources in conversation with each other.
Students will present their research to a group of students with related topics at a grade-wide symposium, and actively engage with the work of other students via questioning and discussion, and also a written reflection.
There are many pages and resources of this website that help support these goals- for guidance specific to this project, see the resources below.
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Putting Sources in Conversation With Each Other
~3 minute video
~1:45 minute video
In your symposium research project, you will be using your sources in a more advanced manner.
Rather than simply citing your sources and using the information they contain, you will "join the scholarly conversation" by exploring the relationship between your sources. How do your sources relate to each other? Do they corroborate ideas or viewpoints or provide contrasting perspectives?
Your contribution to the conversation and comparison of your sources will be central to your paper's claim and sub claims.
Check out the resources to the left for an introduction to putting sources in conversation with each other.
Critical Friends Groups
Historians and scholars do not work in isolation- they are part of networks of colleagues who offer feedback and guidance on their work and research process. Several times throughout your research journey, you will engage in Critical Friends Groups; in essence, these are small group conversations where you will bring a dilemma or question and ask for guidance and feedback from your peers.
These are valuable opportunities for connections and support- be sure to come prepared and to engage with your classmates.
The Symposium: Presentation and Discussion
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A symposium is when a group of thinkers gather to discuss a particular subject. For the 11th Grade History Symposium, you will be grouped with about 6-7 other 11th grade students who have a topic that is related to yours.
Like the Critical Friends Group, the symposium stems from the ethos that we do our best work when we think together with others.
Each person will present their research to the small group and then field questions. The better the questions, the richer the experience will be. To get full credit for the symposium, you must ask at least one question of a peer.
After all of the presentations have ended, you will write a reflection the extends the learning and new ideas you encountered during the symposium.
General Tips for the Symposium:
Consult the page in this Google Site on how to clearly present your research.
Anticipate what questions you might be asked and prepare your answers.
If you know that you struggle to construct questions in real time, brainstorm questions to ask your peers before the symposium.
Take notes during the presentations, so you can make specific connections in your final reflection.
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