World History Documentary/Re-Enactment Project

INTRO:
The History Channel has heard great things about your historical analysis ability and extreme creativity from a very distinguished world history teacher. They are starting a new program that focuses on the culture and events of world history. The program will be centered upon important people or events in world history from ancient times to the 20th century. They want to steer clear of typically American events in order to educate young minds about life outside the United States. In fact the program will be called “The World Out There” so make sure your topic appropriate. This could be your big chance to be discovered by Hollywood executives.

TASK:
Your group must produce a short video between 5-10 minutes in length about a select topic from our world history class. The video that your group (up to four people) creates must include both a documentary and a reenactment of the historical/cultural person or event. The documentary must utilize both visuals (maps, pictures, etc.) and narration (voice or commentary) to educate the audience about your topic’s historical significance. Your reenactment must be as factual and as historically accurate as possible, but feel free to be creative (dress up, act in character, etc.). Needless to say, you will need to do extensive outside research on your topic. THERE CANNOT BE DUPLICATE TOPICS! The topics can be reserved in writing with your group members’ names on a piece of paper and turned in to Mr. Williams starting on Tuesday December 14th, 2010.
*It might be wise to make sure that you have access to a video camera and/or editing equipment. This project will mainly be done OUTSIDE of class but you will have some class days to research, coordinate, and work…DON’T PROCRASTINATE!!!

SOME SUGGESTED TOPICS:
The Magna Carta, Taj Mahal, Black Plague, Battle of Tours, Winston Churchill, The Exodus, Voyage of Leif Erikson, The Great Wall of China, Major Crusades, Gladiator Games, The Inquisition, Triangle Trade Route, Silk Road, Wonders of the Ancient World, the Japanese Shogun

EVALUATION:
Your grade will be as follows: documentary (40 pts.), reenactment (40 pts.), and creativity (20 pts.). This video will be due the first week of February but DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Make sure that you get FACTUAL information! Be careful about getting information from sources such as Wikipedia because it might not be reliable.

CONCLUSION:
The purpose of this assignment is to investigate the significant people, events, and culture of world history. Students will also have the opportunity to work with different forms of technology in order to produce the video. And finally, just like in the “real world” students will also be required to work together in a collaborative effort and assess each other based upon their performance.