Discussion 1 – Demographic Changes

Group Formation

1.  You may continue in your previous group.  If group size drops below 4 contact me.  Under these circumstances some merging will be required.

2.  On the other hand you may form your own groups if you wish.  They should have 6 people and include at least 2 lower classmen (freshmen or sophomores) and 2 upper classmen (juniors or seniors).

 

Questions

Each group is to answer the following two question sets.  Maximum size of answer is one page for each set of questions (single spaced, Times New Roman font size 12 with 1 inch margins on all sides). In addition to the two answer sheets you may have an additional page for references and two pages of maps, graphs, charts or diagrams (optional).  Your answers are due at the time of the quiz on Tuesday.  You can divide the work on this report in any way your group desires.  Just make sure that it all fits together as a logical whole.  We will have the first 30 minutes of class time on Tuesday to begin work and the last 20 minutes to discuss preliminary ideas by groups.

 

 

Question Sets:

  1. The Issue: Which of the hypothesis (or combination of hypotheses) do you find most compelling?  Be sure to first state and discuss the hypothesis in some detail and then provide evidence to demonstrate why this hypothesis appears to work best.  Also, is there any geographic pattern apparent in the application of this hypothesis which either helps to further prove or disprove this hypothesis?  That is, is there anything that can be mapped-out that helps us further understand things?
  2. Applying your knowledge to the present:  What can we learn from the collapse of the Maya about the strength or fragility of current civilizations?  Consider the problems that the Maya faced and by looking at current day countries and societies consider if similar problems may be faced and any lessons could be learned from the past.

 

 

 

A bit more detail:

Part 1:

Succinctly state the hypothesis (or hypotheses) then provide evidence from the readings or elsewhere (including the video and maps if you desire.  Unfortunately the video was borrowed from another library and thus is not available for viewing again).  Also, if you have any additional sources of information or wish to obtain some you are free to do so.  For your evidence provide citations.  I highly suggest the APA method of in-text citations as one of the easiest and most complete (to see the library’s examples go to: http://www.library.wwu.edu/ref/apamsw.doc ).

 

Be sure to state and discuss and demonstrate why the hypothesis you chose is best.  This may even include reasons for not accepting other hypotheses.  As always, succinctly state your position and then provide as much evidence as possible again as always with citations.

 

Remember you may also include and refer to maps, graphs, diagrams… to help illustrate your case if you so desire (be sure to provide a citation for any of these you use – note that I have tried to always provided url or other source citations in my PowerPoint slides).

 

Part 2:  What about the present?

Again start with a succinct statement(s) and follow it with details and evidence.  Explain why your beliefs are correct, this can be done with citations to evidence from scholars that support your thoughts.

 

Report Write-up

 

Page 1.  Answer the first question.

Page 2.  Answer the second question

Page 3.  Provide full references for readings, videos, websites… that you used in the previous two pages.

Page 4 & 5 (optional).  Any maps, charts, diagrams that help illustrate your report along with a reference to its source.

Finally On the back of the last page – Neatly list all group members in alphabetical order, the assignment title, course number and date.

 

When I grade these reports I will look at things like the following:

1.  How well is each set of questions answered?  How thorough and complete is the answer?  How well are all course materials integrated into the answer?

2.  How well do the various parts of the report work as a whole?

3.  Are citations and references properly and effectively used?

4.  What is the over-all quality of the report?

5.  Are there additional materials being used?  How effectively?

6.  If maps, graphs, charts… are attached are they integrated into the report and referred to?