History is much more than a list of dates, names, and places. Examining our histories helps us understand how the past connects to our present and what it means to be human. It allows us to make better decisions about our futures. History also provides us with very practical skills that are useful in any profession, such as determining the credibility of information, conducting research, and asking critical questions.
In each module, you will complete assignments that will prepare you for an aspect of your final project. In this assignment, you will choose your project topic. Before completing this activity, review the Project Guidelines and Rubric and the Library Research Guide to know exactly what you will be working on. Make certain to review the historical topic in the library guide, which provides an overview of the topic as well as primary and secondary sources to support your research.
While it is a good idea to choose your topic early, you may change it until the next module.
Prompt
Use the provided Module One Activity Template: Project Topic Exploration and the Research Topic Lists in the HIS 100 Library Guide to complete this assignment. In the Library Guide, you will see the following pages:
• Research Topic List: Human Rights and Inequality
o Tulsa Massacre
o Wounded Knee Occupation
o Stonewall Rebellion
• Research Topic List: Political Revolutions
o Haitian Independence
o Philippine Revolution
o Iranian Revolution
• Research Topic List: Climate Change and Environmental Issues
o Great London Smog
o Creation of Earth Day
o Chernobyl
• Research Topic List: Globalization
o Creation of the UN
o Act Prohibition the Importation of Slaves
o Founding of NATO
Make certain to review the lists of more specific topics within each theme to choose your research topic.
Then, describe your prior knowledge, beliefs, assumptions, and values related to your chosen topic. Finally, you will explain why you think this historical topic is relevant to contemporary society.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
• Explain what you already know about the chosen topic based on your personal history or experiences.
o If you do not have prior knowledge about your topic, explain what you would like to learn more about.
• Describe the beliefs, assumptions, and values you have related to the topic you chose.
o What opinions or perspectives do you have about your topic? What conclusions have you already drawn about it?
• Explain why this topic is relevant to current events or to modern society.
o Why might this topic matter to us now?