World History Civics Requirement
This assignment is both a graded assignment for this class, as well as a graduation requirement on it’s own.
In this assignment you will use research and writing skills as well as creativity to determine which
holiday (if any) should replace that of Christopher Columbus. Columbus day is observed every year in the
United States on the second Monday of October, but recently there has been some backlash. Historically
Columbus has been celebrated for his discovery of America, which by now you should know, is not technically
the case. Your task this week is to read through the sources on canvas and then complete some research on
your own, all while trying to decide who should be celebrated. (Note - You may choose to defend that
Columbus Day need not be changed). The only stipulations you have regarding the person you choose are
they must be real, and they must be historically significant (i.e. President Polk, not Spongebob Squarepants,
or your brother). Once you have chosen a subject you must have three sources regarding their life and their
successes and then get it approved. If you decide Columbus is worthy of celebration and honor, then your
sources will be about him.
Once you have your chosen approach approved, you must then decide how you are going to spread
the word. This part of the assignment is entirely up to you, you can do anything from writing an essay to
creating a podcast. There is a creativity score in the rubric, so make it your own. Your goal is to get the
government to either replace or defend Columbus Day. At the end of the project each class will work
together to choose 3 arguments, and write a letter for each, to send to the local government to further our
cause. Whatever avenue you choose to do it through it must include the following:
1. You need a name for the holiday, and the day in which it will be celebrated (For Columbus this
remains the same)
2. You need a section/paragraph/etc. on the “Cons of Christopher Columbus” (If you choose Columbus
think of this as a Pro-Con assignment)
3. You need to prove that your subject is better than Columbus through a mini biography and a story of
their successes. (If you choose Columbus you will do the Biography on him, and this will be the “Pro”
section of your assignment)
4. You need to use a persuasive style of whatever you choose to do (Literally ask yourself “Is this going to
convince people to keep or switch Columbus Day?”
5. You need at least 3 different sources on your subject. With a bibliography and in text citations
This assignment is giving you plenty of freedom, but that also comes with plenty of responsibility. It is your
job to read the required readings, follow a schedule, and use class time wisely. If you do not complete this
assignment in full you will not be able to graduate. You will have 7 days in class to complete the assignment. No more.
Your final project is due the day of your final. You will be presenting your project to the class on that day.
Bibliography/Citations
Uses 3 sources, contains a properly May use only 1-2 sources, may be missing or Contains no
formatted bibliography and correct contain an improperly formatted bibliography, may bibliography or citations
placement of in-text citations have incorrectly placed or missing in-text citations
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
The Cons of Columbus
Problems with Columbus clearly The problems with Columbus to Problems with The problems
described comprehensively, be considered are critically stated Columbus to be with Columbus to
delivering all relevant information and demonstrates understanding considered critically are be considered are
necessary for full understanding but may leave some terms stated but offers little not clearly stated
including: history of the topic, undefined, ambiguities clarification, or missing
read the required readings and unexplored, boundaries description, or completely.
put them eloquently into your undetermined, and/or explanation.
own words backgrounds unknown.
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Biography and Information
Comprehensive details about the Includes useful information Biography is present, Biography is unclear,
life and successes of your chosen about your subject, may not but is limited in plagiarized, or missing
subject are clearly outlined. Uses be interesting or relevant, unique information
detail from sources and includes but uses sources in your own and resource usage.
relevant information to help words
support your argument.
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Source Analysis
You show knowledge of how to You showed a vague You show very little You did not use
read and analyze multiple sources knowledge of how to analyze knowledge of how to complex sources to
to create a complex and sources to create an read, analyze, and form your argument or
comprehensive argument. argument. utilize sources in support your ideas.
creating an argument
10 9 8 7 6 5 3 2 1 0
Argument
An argument is clearly stated An argument exists, but is lacking No argument is present. There is
throughout the project using persuasive techniques and knowledge no use of persuasive language
persuasive style writing and knowledge of history and society. and history and society are
of history to prove your point. completely ignored.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Creativity
The method you chose to “spread the The method you choose to “spread the The method you chose to
word” clearly shows the content as well word” is interesting and well presented, “spread the word” is not
as is unique in both ideas and follow but lacks creativity. creative nor well done.
through.
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Spelling/Grammar
Is written with few or no Is quite well-written but Contains too many errors Contains serious errors
errors in grammar, spelling, includes some errors in in grammar, spelling, in grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and grammar, spelling, punctuation and punctuation, and
capitalization punctuation, and capitalization capitalization capitalization
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Responsibility and Presentation
Class time is well used and project is Work is completed in class, but Class time is not used wisely, project is
completed on time. You are able to the product is not complete on not completed on time, and/or class
share your argument in a persuasive time, or you are not able to speak presentation is not done.
presentation to the class. about the presentation in a
persuasive way in class.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
TOTAL /95
Name: ________________________
Civics Project To-Do List!
The civics project is both your final grade and a graduation requirement. The deadline is the
day of your final for this class. You will be busy studying for other classes, so follow this
schedule in order to stay on track for this assignment. Good Luck!
Day Tasks Completed
Monday, Dec. 9th ● Read Columbus Sources
○ Highlight or underline quotes you could use for
your analysis of the question below.
● Decide, “Should Columbus be celebrated and
honored?”
Tuesday, Dec. 10th ● Library Presentation
● Choose a person (or Columbus)
○ Can you argue that they deserve a holiday?
Wednesday, Dec. 11th ○ Find 3 sources to back your argument
○ Who are they?
○ What are their accomplishments?
○ Why do they deserve a holiday?
Thursday, Dec. 12th ● Form your thesis…
○ ________ deserves a holiday that replaces
Columbus Day because…
or
○ Columbus Day should remain a holiday because
__________________...
● Decide the format in which you are going to present
your argument: Brochure, Poster, Infographic, Essay,
Slideshow (booooooringgggg), etc.
Friday, Dec. 13th ● Put it all together!
(spooky) ○ Columbus?
○ Mini Biography
○ Thesis
○ Argument
● Semester Review Meetings
Monday, Dec. 16th ● Put it all together!
○ Columbus?
○ Mini Biography
○ Thesis
○ Argument
● Semester Review Meetings
Tuesday, Dec 17th ● Practice Presentation!
○ Some presenters may choose to go today!
Wednesday, Dec. 18th
Thursday, Dec. 19th ● Presentation Time!
Friday, Dec. 20th
