Italy Project

Module 12 Assignment | Individual Paper

TERM PROJECT

Each student will take part in a cooperative project. Even though in this online class sessions groups will not be able to meet in person, all communications will be conducted virtually on the Canvas platform. This project involves a single writing assignment.  Even though you are allowed, in fact, encouraged to discuss with your groupmates your writing assignment, all grades will be assigned on an individual basis. Please review the sections below for greater detail about the project.

TERM PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Five groups will be formed in class early in the semester using the form on Canvas. Each of these groups will adopt one of the countries discussed in class: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Each of the group members will impersonate the role of “party leader” for one of the political parties in your adopted country.

Contextual Background the Optional Group Component

It is the general elections time in your country and all leaders of the political parties are engaged in a televised debate. It is encouraged, though not mandatory, that each group will discuss and identify 4-7 most pressing political problems in your adopted country, which will serve as a basis of your individual writing assignments. (The list of political problems is also be used by an imaginary "news reporter" or "TV anchor" reporting on and moderating the party leaders’ debate.) As it may be challenging in an online environment to coordinate and come up collectively with the pressing political issues, you are not required to collectively do so. Instead, you may identify those issues individually.

Written and Research Component

The length of the writing assignment is approximately 5-7 double spaced pages. The evaluation criteria for the writing component are the following: (1) accuracy, (2) ability to identify the most important issues and the most significant points pertaining to those issues, (3) efficiency in space budgeting, and (4) originality/creativity. Try to think about this as a scenario script for a televised debate. During the semester in addition to weekly news reports you will also need to submit the written project.

Specifically, you should advance or corroborate on an “issues program” or a manifesto for your party, specifically elaborating on 4-7 political issues and the stance of your party on these questions. First, present a general introduction section of your party’s promises if it wins the election. Then, address the specific issues. The written part of the assignment should be 5-7 five pages (excluding the reference page). Please use creative titles for your manifestos.

Citing sources properly is essential to avoiding plagiarism in your writing.

—

*This assignment links to module objectives 1.