Rubric CriteriaMasteredNot MasteredComplex Issue: Describes a complex issue that is of importance to impacted community supported by sociopolitical and historical contextCriterion Feedback
9/2/23 – Niovy, you are off to a really good start but need to situate your complex challenge by incorporating more background insights from the research. More is needed to understand the sociopolitical and historical contexts that impact the issue.
Sociopolitical Context
Is this issue a recent issue or did a specific event contribute to more stressful work environments (i.e. Financial Collapse, Great Depression)? Additionally, as you consider the sociopolitical aspects, consider the following questions. Does the challenge impact specific industries, cultures, or occupations more than others? Is this a global, regional, or national issue? Be sure to cite your sources as you incorporate these insights from the research.
Historical Context
More is needed for the historical context is to show how over time this challenge initiated and evolved to being an issue today. For example if you were focused on climate change you would be able to trace back to 1800s, human activities became the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas)…in 19XX the auto industry added to the emissions issue, 19XX when more factories were being built, 20XX presented a rise in housing developments; cutting down forests to create new homes or commercial properties, or for other reasons.
That historical context is needed to show a longitudinal advancement of the issue over the course of time. Having multiple instances/dates in history help tie the cause and effect in a way that helps to explain why your topic is so important to your audience.
08/24/23
Nivoy – You have a good start to this rubric item but need to go more in-deoth into the sociopolitical and historical contexts.
What does sociopolitical context mean? This sociopolitical context refers to contemporary ideologies, regulations, policies, conditions, laws, practices, traditions, and events. Something that involves both social and political factors.
You mentioned income inequality, economic complexities, systemic imbalances, and deficient educational accessibility. For your next submission, you need to define each of these and tie each element directly to food insecurity. Your statements and examples must be supported by credible, current (last 5 years), research-based sources that are cited.
Context is an important element here, because chances are that all seemingly new issues stemmed from a historical or cultural event. When considering a complex challenge, it is essential to take a look at multiple avenues:
What is the challenge’s current state, what led the challenge to get to this point, and what could occur if it is left unaddressed?
Are you focusing on only the United States or a specific region?
Does it date back to a certain event or events?
Be sure that when you answer this question, you are discussing several chronological events that have happened over the years to arrive at the issues that make food insecurity an important issue to address. Be sure to state what specific events took place in XXXX (year). Your statements and examples must be supported by credible, current (last 5 years), research-based sources that are cited.
Annotated Bibliography: Describes relevant and credible resources representing a variety of perspectives, and how those resources support your explanation of this complex issueCriterion Feedback
9/2/23 – Niovy, you are off to a great start in this area as well! But take another look as your annotated bibliography. You will need to include at least three (3) sources and address each of the elements below:
Clearly evaluate each of your sources against these five (5) criteria:
- Authority: Authority refers to the credibility of the author or creator of the information. A person with authority is an accepted expert in his/her field.
- Accuracy: Accuracy refers to how factual the source is. An accurate source has reliable references to back up its claims – references that can be verified.
- Currency: What is current varies from subject to subject. Medical research relies on a shorter time period for currency than literary or historical studies.
- Relevance: Is the source really relevant to your topic? Does it strengthen your argument? Some sources may only relate to your topic in a loose way, especially topics with multiple subcategories.
- Objectivity: The point of view and purpose of a source can help you determine how objective a source is and how much bias plays a role
Please address the criteria, for every source in this section, and clearly state why it meets or does not meet that criteria by asking these questions.
- Are the authors an authority? Why or why not?
- Is the information presented factual? Why or why not? How do you know?
- Is the information current? Why or why not?
- Is the source really relevant to your topic? Does it strengthen your argument?
- Is the point of view objective?
08/24/23
You have a good start to compiling the entries for your annotated bibliography. For your next submission, you must have at least three entries.
The annotated bibliography provides the research foundation for your challenge and helps to guide your position around the topic. To achieve mastery, please ensure your annotated bibliography is in the appropriate format, which will help to analyze the credibility of your sources.
Project Resource: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/annotated_bibliographies/annotated_bibliography_samples.html
Each entry needs to include these elements:
-Identifying the source authors and discussing their place in society. You need to state information about the author’s education and career background. What makes them an ‘expert’ in this topic? This should be stated in the introduction to the article. Sometimes this is listed at the conclusion of the article.
-Discussing the purpose of the piece and why it was written.
-Explaining the value or ideas behind the content in the source.
-Addressing the credibility of the piece (why or why not). You need to determine if the author based the article on credible, cited research – look at the Reference list of resources. For example – if it is a blog and just based on opinion, this may be useful information but is not as credible. If you use a blog, you need to note that is or is not research-based.
Your Position and Course of Action: Explains your position on the issue and course of action or actions aligned with that position and supported by evidenceCriterion Feedback
9/2/23 – Great start here also! However, please take another look at this area to provide a set of prescriptive steps for your course of action/solution. In your resubmission consider putting in your proposal a well-laid out plan that has recommendations supported by the sources that you have researched. As you address this area it does not have to be exactly like the example below, however it will help you to ensure you have provided a comprehensive list of recommendations. You must provide at least five sources to support your recommendation(s) (in-text citations from the sources). This will provide credibility to the recommendations as well as show how each connects to the research. For example:
First I propose X (action/solution), according to Y (source) this is beneficial…Second….Third…Fourth…Fifth…
Use the “Interactive: Methods Map” found in the Unit Resources under Research Methods and Research Methodologies to review methods and problem-solving approaches to consider when addressing the recommendations for a given research question or complex challenge. The “Website: Reading Scientific Research” found under the Unit Resources under Research Methods and Research Methodologies presents a strategy for quickly locating key information in scientific research articles. In the Unit Resources: Evaluating Sources: “The Importance of Relevance Sources” explores the importance of relevance related to sources found throughout the research process.
08/24/23
You have a good start to this rubric item. For your next submission, you need to explain why this civic issue is important to you and why you chose this issue for your proposal.
The course of actions identified are good strategies; however, be sure to discuss how the evidence listed supports the identified course of action(s). This will be evidenced by the use of in-text citations and significant discussion of how the recommendations align to the research. Provide a brief summation or overview of how the source supports the course of action. This will provide credibility to your recommendations.
As you develop each course of action, consider how to implement each recommendation, which will guide how you structure each action. A very important aspect of this area is to include supporting rationale.
Consider putting in your proposal a well-laid out plan that has recommendations supported by the sources that you have researched. This will provide credibility to the recommendations as well as show how each connects to the research. For example:
First I propose X (action/solution), according to Y (source) this is beneficial…
Second….
Third…
Fourth
Fifth…
Presentation of Issue: Provides brief description of the sociopolitical context to situate your issue and provide context for your audienceCriterion Feedback
9/2/23 – Same here, you are off to a really good start but need to situate your complex challenge by incorporating more background insights from the research. More is needed to understand the sociopolitical and historical contexts that impact the issue.
Sociopolitical Context
Is this issue a recent issue or did a specific event contribute to more stressful work environments (i.e. Financial Collapse, Great Depression)? Additionally, as you consider the sociopolitical aspects, consider the following questions. Does the challenge impact specific industries, cultures, or occupations more than others? Is this a global, regional, or national issue? Be sure to cite your sources as you incorporate these insights from the research.
Historical Context
More is needed for the historical context is to show how over time this challenge initiated and evolved to being an issue today. For example if you were focused on climate change you would be able to trace back to 1800s, human activities became the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas)…in 19XX the auto industry added to the emissions issue, 19XX when more factories were being built, 20XX presented a rise in housing developments; cutting down forests to create new homes or commercial properties, or for other reasons.
That historical context is needed to show a longitudinal advancement of the issue over the course of time. Having multiple instances/dates in history help tie the cause and effect in a way that helps to explain why your topic is so important to your audience.
08/24/23
The revisions requested for your proposal will also need to be done for your this rubric item in your slideshow.
DirectionsPart 1: Proposal and Presentation Plan (approximately 1,000 words)
You will draft your proposal and your plan for communicating it prior to beginning to create the presentation itself to ensure you are establishing a clear narrative for your audience. Your mentor has also requested that you provide an analysis of your audience and how you will be addressing them (i.e., the location and format) to ensure that your presentation is suitable for this audience. This will ensure your mentor can provide you the best possible feedback.
- Complex Issue: Select a complex issue from the provided list. Describe the “who” and “what” behind the issue you have selected so that your mentor can provide you feedback on the appropriateness of how you’ve situated the problem and your proposal for addressing it for your audience:
- Issue explanation
- Sociopolitical and historical context of the issue
- Importance to the stakeholders in impacted community
- Annotated Bibliography: Remember, your mentor has been very clear that an appeal to your audience’s passions is not sufficient in addressing your complex issue. Provide research and evidence that supports your explanation of the complex issue and your recommendations around this issue:
- Use relevant and credible sources that represent a variety of perspectives
- Explain how sources inform potential and logical next steps based on resources
- Your Position and Course of Action: Next, address the “why” behind the issue in your proposal ensuring you:
- Explain your position on this issue
- Describe a logical course of action or actions aligned with your proposal and supported by evidence
- Audience Analysis: Lastly, look carefully at the “who” again and “where.” Potentially there will be individuals in your audience from diverse cultures aside from your primary audience. Discuss the following and how you will ensure your visuals and verbal or text narrative will address:
- Norms for the public venue and civic context in which you are presenting
- Communication strategies appropriate in addressing your primary audience
- Communication strategies appropriate in addressing multicultural audiences that differ from your primary audience (for example, are there linguistic preferences or nonverbal signs that would be preferable or not preferable?)
Part 2: Proposal Presentation (10–15 slides with speaker notes in slide deck, or 15-minute video with transcript)
Now that you’ve completed your plan and have a concrete approach around your idea, you feel even more confident about communicating your position! You have many choices for presenting yourself (slide deck with speaker notes or video with transcript). You know your choice will be the “how” behind communicating your position. Your choice of vehicle (slide deck or video) and the information you include in the speaker notes or transcript must address all of the following:
- Presentation of Issue: Set the stage for your audience:
- Situate your issue by clearly identifying it
- Briefly describe the sociopolitical context (local, regional, national, or global)
- Recommendation: Ensure you concisely and clearly cover:
- Main Idea
- Call to Action
- Communication of Explanation: Ensure you are using your speaker notes or video narration/transcript to ensure your narrative:
- Aligns to the norms of the public venue in which you are presenting
- Addresses cultural needs and expectations of the group
- Appropriate Practices: Use conventions that are:
- Appropriate to persuasive argument
- Suitable for a variety of cultural backgrounds
- Necessary to avoid communicating bias, either intended or unintended
- Articulation of Response: Clearly convey meaning, demonstrating an understanding of audience and purpose:
- Correct grammar
- Avoid slang and jargon
- Sentence structure
- Spelling
What to Submit
Every project has a deliverable or deliverables, which are the files that must be submitted before your project can be assessed. For this project, you must submit the following:
- Proposal and Presentation Plan (approximately 1,000 words)Draft your proposal and your plan for communicating it prior to beginning to create the presentation itself to ensure you are establishing a clear narrative for your audience. Your mentor has also requested that you provide an analysis of your audience and how you will be addressing them (i.e., the location and format) to ensure that your presentation is suitable for this audience. This will ensure your mentor can provide you the best possible feedback.
- Proposal Presentation (10–15 slides with speaker notes in slide deck, or 15-minute video with transcript)Choose a vehicle (slide deck or video) and include information in the speaker notes or transcript. Your choice will be the “how” behind communicating your position.
