The ISM Project Final

The ISM Project Final

“You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one”

-- John Lennon, “Imagine”

Now that you know a little bit more about some of the problems in this country, you, like John Lennon, are ready to "imagine" a better world. Therefore, your final project is an opportunity to fully express what it is that you believe and how you want to imagine the world.

On your final, I want you to think about some of the problems in contemporary U.S. society and how we can solve them. In this class so far, we have examined racism, sexism, heterosexism, and classism as well as some of the ideological movements that have arisen to challenge these worldviews – feminism, anti-racism, and unionism, in particular.

However, instead of simply latching on to an already established “ism,” I want you to create your own worldview, your very own “ism.”

In other words, for your final, your job is to convince the class that if everyone adopted your worldview, this world would be a better place.

Your worldview must be elucidated through a visually appealing poster or powerpoint that includes the following things:

1. A name for your “ism.” For instance, if you believe that the world would be a better place if everyone played a musical instrument, your worldview could be called “musicism.”
2. An analysis of the problem(s) that you want to solve. This must be at least one full paragraph.
3. 10 precepts that form your “ism.” Precepts are statements of belief and your beliefs are things that you want people to do to create the kind of world you want to see.
4. A paragraph-long explanation of each precept. Therefore, your poster must include at least 11 paragraphs in total!
5. At least 2 pictures.

Your “ism” presentation must last at least 10 minutes and include the following:

1. An explanation of each of your precepts.
2. Some kind of performance/skit/song/poem/activity/game that proves that your ism will make the world a better place. For instance, if your ism is “musicism,” you might want to consider bringing a drumstick for every member of the class in order to lead a class drum session.

Grading:

Your grade will be determined by the following rubric:

Poster/Powerpoint

11020304050

Visually unappealingVisually appealing (contains at least 2 pictures)

No titleFeatures a title

Does not explain problemsExplains the problems to be

to be solvedsolved in at least one well-written

paragraph

Does not contain any preceptsContains at least 10 precepts

Does not explain the preceptsExplains each precept in at least 10 well-written paragraphs

Presentation

11020304050

No explanation of problemsAccurate, thorough explanation

to be solved or precepts of problems to be solved and

precepts

No performance/activityEngaged the class with a creative performance or activity