Assignment 2 – Geographic Issues in Europe

Assignment 2 – Geographic Issues in Europe

You will be assigned an issue and a “side” to argue outlined in Tiersky, R., & Jones, E., (eds.), (2015) “Europe today, A twenty-first century Introduction”, 5th Edition, Roman and Littlefield, Plymouth, UK. ISBN 978-1-4422-2110-9. The book is on reserve in the Marston Science Library.

Each Issue assigned represents a Chapter in the text. While the “side” assigned may not be exactly the content of the Chapter, the text will provide you with the background information and basis for developing both your group (or individual) presentation and your paper.

Assignment 2b – You will work alone or with one of your peers. Your roles, if any will be determined by the group. You will each partipate in the development of a group presentation. Your presentation must support your assigned topic, regardless of the conclusion you reach in your individual paper. One student or your group will make a presentation in class outlining your topic and assigned position. The group with the corollary position will also make a presentation. With any luck the rest of the class will have some opinions to share. This is a group assignment worth 10% each of your grade.

Instructions and format European Issues Presentation – Assignment 2b

Most of you will be working with a group of your peers. I hope this encourages you to have meaningful discussions with others in the production of a presentation. A separate section of the Learning Management System will be set aside for each group. Group members and presentation dates are assigned randomly. Please contact me immediately if you foresee any problems.

You will make a presentation in class with your group. A second group will be taking the other side of you issue. You should be prepared to engage the other side and your peers in discussion following your presentation. Make your presentation compelling to encourage your peers to want to engage you. Use whatever media you are most comfortable with. The presentation will last approximately 15 minutes. Creativity is encouraged – I am open to almost anything. You may read from your notes at the podium, prepare a PowerPoint, make a video, Prezi or any other method (I have even had interpretive dance as a method to convey information!). Talk to me if you need to make special audiovisual equipment arrangements. Remember you will need to submit your presentation the day it is given, so be able to provide some sort of record that can be graded.

Your group will provide the class with three or four potential multiple choice questions (with answers) to be used in the final examination, based on the materials presented in class.

Format of Presentation
The format of the presentation is flexible. However, each person must submit the group presentation individually through Canvas. Each member of the group will all be submitting the same material. The presentation should be submitted by 5pm on the day of the presentation is made using the following structure:

Electronic .pdf file uploaded to GEA 3500 Canvas drop box under Assignment 2b in Modules. This may be adapted depending upon the type of presentation made.

On the first slide or opening credits provide the following information:

· The names of each person in the group

· Title of your report (the question and side you were assigned)

· Date the presentation was given

· GEA 3500

The body of your presentation is the best format for evaluation and should be submitted through Canvas.

Three or four potential multiple choice questions to be used in the final examination, based on the materials presented in class.

Group Project Evaluation

These are the questions I will consider in the evaluation of your group project.

1. Did the group/individual prepare well, recognize primary issues and use appropriate support materials?
2. Was the individual/team presentation well organized and effective?
3. How interesting was the presentation?
4. Did the presentation go beyond the issue as presented in the references?
5. Was the individual/team perceptive to the weak points on the opposite side?
6. How well did the students representing the sides interact to achieve a complete discussion of the assigned topic?

Discussion techniques

I. Listen to each other and learn a variety of perspectives upon which you can build your opinions in favor or against an issue.

II. Discussions should be focused. The text provides background information for the issues upon which we will base class discussion.

III. Connections between the various subdiscplines of Geography will enhance your ability to evaluate issues.

IV. Insight from readings, supplemented by awareness of current events and connections to your personal interests or other classes will enhance your discussion skills.