Global Studies

Research Project
Mr. Hildreth
Estimated Time
For Completion:

6 Hours

Objectives:
Students should gain a better understanding of the cultural aspects
of other countries and be able to compare them with the cultural aspects of their own.
Description of Activity:
1. Students should select one country, other than the United States or Canada. Research it
and identify the major

CULTURAL aspects, which are unique to that country.

2. Students should research several statistical indicators about the country such as:

Life Expectance
Infant Mortality Rate
Literacy Rate
GDP per capita

Types of industries
Average Income
Government Structure/style
Major Businesses/industries, Etc.

(THIS IS NOT YOUR WHOLE PAPER)

3.

Students should also include in their research about the different cultural aspects
such as:

a.
Languages spoken in their country
b. Traditions and holidays celebrated (and how they are celebrated)
c. Religious practices
d. Food eaten (make sure its different than what we have)
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

Education (meaning how long students typically go to school)

Music styles
Art and Dance
Clothing styles (if they are vastly different than our country)
Male vs. Female roles (If they are vastly different than our country)
Anything else that you can think of (have it approved by me)

4. Students should then type a 2 page (minimum) paper.

In the first paragraph you need to explain what you are going to be talking (tell
what the rest of your paper will be about).
In the next paragraph you should give statistical information about the country
explaining what it means. (Ex. Life expectancy means what about a countrys
culture or lifestyle etc.) YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN YOUR FACTS.

Then in the next 3 paragraphs you need to explain some of their major cultural
characteristics (talked about in item #3) Explain their holidays etc. Give details
about them not just the days of the year they happen. Tell about their practices.
Use the supporting data you have researched in your paper. (Document anything
that is not common knowledge) MOST IMPORTANT PARAGRAPHS
The next paragraph you should make some comparisons between what you
know about your own culture to the cultural aspects of the country you have
researched. This will require you to THINK and compare the two cultures.
Last paragraph should be a conclusion basically restating the purpose of your
paper. Explain what you found interesting about your countries culture and WHY
it was interesting to you.

5. Any data used must be documented in proper MLA format. If it is not common
knowledge you need to explain where it came from. Use quotes when necessary and
explain what the information is. Any data that are numbers need to be cited.
You will need to document with parenthetical citations. (This means when you
use some date within the paragraph you document it at the end of the sentence)

6. Make sure the paper flows, has a purpose. Make connections and comparisons to your
own traditions, lifestyles, etc.

Do not make this paper a grocery list.

DO NOT WRITE THIS PAPER AS A CONVERSATION. DO NOT

WRITE HOW YOU WOULD TALK.
Method(s) of Assessment:
Students will be assessed in the following categories for the PAPER ONLY:
A detailed explanation of grading procedures is shown on the rubric.
1. Research and factual input. Must have at least 7 researched items/facts incorporated into
the paper. (At LEAST 3 must be separate cultural aspects)
2. Documentation (MLA format) must include at least 2-3 different sources. (You can NOT
use all Internet sources)!
3. Works Cited Page done in proper MLA format. (see English dept. the Librarian, or
myself for help if needed)
4. Length of paper. (Minimum 2 pages) Title Page is optional and does NOT count as a
page.
5. Grammar/Spelling/Sentence Structure
Impact on Grade:
This will be worth 50% of your Final grade (25% Essay, 25% Project). The point value
assigned will be 100 points for the paper portion of the project. However, the paper will
only be worth 25% of the final grade.

TOTAL POINTS: 100

(Paper portion of project only)

DUE DATE: _________