PRE AP SOCIAL STUDIES “OUR WORLD” PROJECT

This project is a cumulative project that is a unit by unit summary of world events and human geography. It is 10 % of your final grade in this class and it is expected that all students complete it on a unit by unit basis. Although your final grade for the project will be calculated in December, we will have progress checkpoints along the way… so don’t wait until the last minute to get started.

The Our World Project allows students to see the interconnectedness of today’s world. Through this on-going semester-long project, the students will investigate how history, human geography, and current events have impacted the cultural landscape of the corresponding regions.

General Requirements:

Project is neatly organized in the order listed below and stapled appropriately.

Project is NEATLY written and typed where applicable.

Project is in-depth and complete.

THE FIVE REGIONAL UNITS TO BE COVERED ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  1. Latin America and the Caribbean Due: WEDNESDAY OCT. 5TH
  2. Europe and Russia Due: WEDNESDAY OCT. 5TH
  3. Asia- South, East, Southeast, Central Due: ______
  4. Southwest Asia and North Africa Due: ______
  5. Sub-Saharan Africa Due: ______

FOR EACH UNIT YOU WILL COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING

(Specific directions for each are on back)

1. Create an annotated map.

2. Trace the contemporary history of the region by creating a timeline.

3. Create a political cartoon.

4. Apply a human geography concept to a country within the region.

5. Analyze demographic extremes.

6. Current Event Application.

Annotated Map of the region / We will give you a blank map at the beginning of each unit. You need to make 10 annotations on the map and label only the countries that are being annotated. Remember as we discussed in class: an annotated map tells a story using symbols so that the person viewing the map can “see” the story of the place. For example: in an area where there is a lot of famine, you might draw a piece of bread with a red X through it. You might use arrows to show movement such as refugees out of that area into a neighboring country that has food. This would count as two annotations (the bread and the arrow). Make sure annotation span a large area of the region.
An annotated map needs to be in COLOR (when is the last time you saw a black and white map?) and needs to be neatly done. Please make sure that your map is informative and tells the story of the region. You must have 2 annotations from the following areas for a total of 10:
  • 2 Agriculture
  • 2 History
  • 2 Current Events
  • 2 Resources
  • 2 Culture (language, religion, customs, etc.)

Timeline / On a piece of white paper (not notebook) you need to create a timeline that traces the major contemporary events that have shaped the region. The events need to be AFTER the year 1945, but are to be chosen by you. What do you think is important in shaping the region today? You need to include:
  • At least 10 dates in chronological order.
  • Place the date on the timeline and label the event and write a brief summary.
  • Identify the event as either political, economic, or cultural history (make sure you have some of each!)
  • FIVE of the ten dates need to be annotated. That means they need a symbol/illustration and are colored.

Political Cartoon / You are going to CREATE a political cartoon that shows either the history or a current issue facing the region. Think about the cartoons that we have analyzed in class, THEY MAKE US THINK! You can also use the following websites to help you in the creative process.


This is not art class, but we do expect to see that you have put time and THOUGHT into your cartoon.
Your cartoon needs to:
  • Be neatly done, on white paper (no notebook paper)and colored.
  • Needs to explain the symbolism (I drew a bear because a bear represents Russia, etc)
  • Write a paragraph to explain the message of the cartoon. Act as if the person looking at your cartoon knows nothing of history or current events so you really have to explain it to them. Explanation needs to be on a separate piece of paper or on the back of the cartoon.

Human Geography Application / Choose a country within the region and choose ONE human geo concept below to apply to it. Your choice of concepts are as follows:
  • HDI ranking / indicators / development
  • Demographic transition model/population growth issues
  • Globalization/presence of folk & pop culture
  • Migration/ push & pull factors
  • Urban OR agricultural issues
Research data and statistics to convey the situation of the concept you chose to your country. Include a thorough explanation of what this data shows you about this country, make inferences, and draw conclusions based on your research. You must also make a future prediction as well as offer a solution to a problem. Your paragraph must be typed and have 10-12 insightful and in-depth sentences.
Demographic Extremes / You need to look at the following demographic indicators for the region using the website below.

Once you are there click on the map for the region and then:
  1. Choose 5 countries that are of interest to you or that you think are different culturally from one another.
  2. For each of the 5 countries you choose, click on “People and Society” and record your findings on the Demographic Extremes graphic organizer and complete the observations at the bottom.

Current Event / Print a news article about a current event in the region, it must be within the last 2 years.
  • Hard copy of article including date, source
  • Important information of article must be highlighted on the article
  • Write a short summary of article
  • Explain how the article related to a specific topic we have discussed in that unit. Be insightful! Make class connection! Use appropriate vocabulary!
  • Paragraph needs to be 10-12 sentences and typed.