Research Project:

Once you have completed Essay 3, you’ll need to start working on your research project.  The project can be an individual effort or a collaborative one with up to 3 members in a group.  The group project will be graded as a single unit; all members will receive the same grade.  If you would like to work with a group, you’ll need to find someone in class who has chosen the same general ethical dilemma as you for Essay 3 (i.e. plagiarism, doping/steroid use, business scams, music downloading, music mixing, internet deception, etc.) since every member of the group needs to have related research to bring to the topic. 

The Project: 

Take your research project from Essay 3 and use the information to create an interesting oral argument about your chosen subject.  Your oral argument should have at least 3 different viewpoints about your topic and should be presented in a balanced manner. [Your voices can quote several sources that share a similar opinion.  They don't have to stick to one author's opinion, and your presentation will be more interesting if you offer an array of support.] It is important to include support, quotes from experts, and other material from your research paper.  You can have comic relief in this presentation, but the overall tone should be appropriate to your topic: ethics.  The audience may draw their own conclusions about your topic, but they should not be able to discern what your position is on the subject. 

The final presentation will be in the form of either a power-point presentation, a one-act play or a talk show with a set script provided for the participants.  You may call on other members of the class to participate if you have more voices than project members.  Timing is important.  Your actual presentation may not exceed 10 minutes.  Choose your most convincing arguments from your sources and create an interesting, entertaining way to teach us about your ethical problem.

The 4 parts of the project:

Each of the parts of this project will be discussed in a separate class period with time allotted for you to work on each segment.  All written components must be typed.  The proposal with its separate turnitin receipt is due November 4.  The script and annotated bibliography, with another turnitin receipt, are due on the last day of presentations, December 2. Your final project grade will reflect the components below, weighted equally:

1. Proposal:  Submit a one-page proposal for your plan.  This includes a brief summary and a presentation plan.  How will you present your findings to the class in your allotted 10 minutes?  Be specific:  number of speakers, who they represent, why you chose these characters, style of presentation, problems you might anticipate, who else in the class will help you with your presentation.  This must be approved before you can proceed with your plan.
2. Annotated bibliography:  Each project will have an annotated bibliography that will include the key words you used to find the source, the search engine you used, what attracted you to this specific article, and a brief statement about the value of this source for your project.  Individual projects will have a minimum of 4 sources. Group projects  (2 to 3 members) will have a minimum of 6.  Regardless of the number of entries required, the ratio of journal articles to other supporting articles must be at least 50%. 
3. Written script—print enough for each character and for me:  This should be written as a one-act drama with a problem, development, and resolution. Your script should include the setting, a list of characters, guidelines for the characters about their persona, stage directions, and dialogue.  Remember that your classmates will be reading this script in front of the class.  Make sure that your dialogue is clear and as error-free as possible.  The script should be long enough to present and establish your multiple voices debating your subject.  Give all of your characters important things to say, supported by quotes from your experts.  Balance is important, both in the characters’ roles and in the opinions voiced. Your audience should not be able to discern your personal opinion from the oral argument.
4. Presentation:  For your presentation you will need to take 1 or 2 minutes to introduce the characters and the setting and state the problem.  Plan to practice with your classmates before your presentation.  You will want your presentation to go smoothly.  Remember that your entire presentation, including setting up, assembling your cast and your intro, is limited to 15 minutes.

I know this is going on interminably! Just a little longer......

Alternative Research Project:

Power Point Presentation:  From your academic sources, find a case study  about or a well-documented example of the chosen topic and create a power point presentation that highlights the various opinions surrounding the chosen topic and shares pertinent points about the case study/example. ( Let us see your position and hear the supporting voices through the lens of your case study or example.) The power point presentation is limited to 10 minutes and must include oral commentary.  This option will be subject to the same written components and completion requirements as the research choice above.  However, instead of a written script to accompany the play, you will give a a written account of the case study/example and provide clear rationale for your choice of case study/example.

Ground Rules:

            1.   Because of the number of presentations and the tight schedule between now and the end of semester, you must be prepared to present on the day you draw/sign up to present.  Students who do not show or cannot present on the designated day will receive a zero (0) for the presentation segment of the project.  There are no extra slots available for make-up.  However, students may switch days among themselves, provided both parties are in agreement and I am notified of the change in advance.  Once the switch is made, however, the rules above apply:  no extensions, no make-up time.

            2.   Remember that your maximum time allotment is 15 minutes.  That must include assembly of cast and/or computer set-up time.  Students must be on time and ready to go on presentation day. If you are using additional class members, they must be on board and ready to go as well. You should plan on 10 minutes ACTUAL presentation time and 3 to 4 minutes to get started.  If you have written a play that exceeds the 10 minute limits, just perform a good excerpt and let me read the rest of the script.

            3.  Submit the proposal as a separate document, including turnitin submission, on the designated due date.  Then submit the written portion of your project and the annotated bibliography to turnitin and include the receipt in your final folder.

Extra Credit:

            I will also offer extra class work credit to students who participate in other students' plays or talk shows. (Group participation does not qualify--only extra participants not in the original group.)