Overview
Instead of taking a Final Exam for this course, you will submit a Final Cultural Project that includes a PowerPoint presentation and an oral recording. This Final Cultural Project is worth 100 points. Carefully read the information printed below to make sure you understand the requirements for this project.
Purpose of Project
By selecting your own topic, researching it, developing a PowerPoint presentation and an oral recording for your Final Cultural Project, you will make important connections between what you have read, learned, and experienced during this class. You will identify the relevant themes and social events of the Hispanic heritage of the Southwest. Select a topic that interests you and one that fully engages you as a learner.
How do I begin?
Imagine that you manage the humanities department in a college located in the Southwest and are initiating a new cultural exchange program with a college in Beijing, China. You have five guests coming to visit you and you have offered to prepare a presentation, using PowerPoint, to teach your visitors about one cultural topic concerning the Hispanic Southwest.
While your visitors do not know anything about your topic, they are eager to learn. Remember, your audience for this project is not your instructor for this course, but those five delegates from a college in Beijing, China. Assume they do not even know the word Chicano or Latino.
Your presentation is not a scholarly research document slated for publication. Rather, it is a rich and informative guide for your visitors to help them further investigate or read more on a cultural topic.
What kind of topic may I choose?
Your topic for the Final Cultural Project must be from the list below or approved by your instructor. You must email your instructor with your final decision for a topic by lesson 11.
There is a plethora of cultural themes and arts forms from which to choose that are part of the Chicano and Hispanic cultural mosaic of the Southwest. This list is not intended to limit you, but give you more options for the Project. Chose a topic that keenly interests you! Give yourself an opportunity to have fun with this learning journey.
- The Family
- Religious Life and Celebrations
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Curanderismo
- Cuentos y Leyendas = Stories and Legends
- Dichos
- La Música
- Romances
- Rancheras
- Tex-Mex (Tejana)
- Mariachi
- Corrido
- Musica Ranchera
- Others (Email your instructor)
- Dance
- Weaving
- The Chicano Mural Movement
- Theater
- Arte (This is not a complete list, but a great beginning of some artists from which to choose. See the University of Texas Austin and Arizona State University-Chicano Library for more extensive resources.)
- Carlos Almaraz
- David Botello
- Charles "Chaz" Bojórquez
- Melesio Casas
- Gaspar Enríquez
- Diane Gamboa
- Margaret García
- Rupert García
- Carmen Lomas Garza
- Raul Guerrero
- Glugio "Gronk" Nicandro
- Wayne Alaniz Healy
- Adan Hernández
- Ester Hernández
- Leo Limón
- Gilbert "Magu" Lujan
- César Martínez
- Frank Romero
- Alex Rubio
- Marta Sánchez
- Eloy Torrez
- Jesse Treviño
- John Valadez
- Patssi Valdez
- Vincent Valdez
- George Yepes
What are the requirements for this project?
Your presentation must include the following:
- 20-40 PowerPoint slides
- Detailed notes typed below the PowerPoint slides so that as you present, you do not need to memorize facts and dates.
- Facts, graphics and cited sources. (Must use at least three sources for this presentation and cite those sources when appropriate.)
- An oral recording
Rubric for SPH245 Final Cultural Project Presentation
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Part of Narrative
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Description
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Points Possible
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Points Earned
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Introduction of PowerPoint:
2-5 slides with notes
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- Presents the subject of the presentation.
- The opening captures the attention of the audience.
- Purpose of the presentation is clear.
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5
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Presentation of Topic:
15-30 slides with notes
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- Ideas are clearly and fully discussed.
- Supporting details and facts are specific and relevant to the cultural topic.
- Discussion is well organized, easy to follow and understand, and does not digress.
- Cites sources and quotes used when appropriate.
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25
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Conclusion of Presentation:
3-5 slides
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- Ending remarks fit the content and the purpose of the presentation.
- Final sentences and slides wrap up the discussion logically and thoughtfully.
- Provides closure for the chosen topic.
- Bibliography of all your sources (at least 3) is included.
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5
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Appropriate Scope and Grammar
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- PowerPoint is at least 20 slides and no more than 40 slides in length.
- Writing uses correct spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- There is flow and logical sequence for the presentation.
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15
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Oral Delivery
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- Uses compelling and appropriate delivery techniques that demonstrate that the speaker is prepared, polished, and confident.
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50
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Total Points Possible
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100
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Honors Students: As an honor student, your task for the PowerPoint and oral presentation is not to simply do a longer presentation, although the extra length should equate to more depth and critical writing. You must connect your learning about your chosen topic with all you have learned in this course.
For example, f you have chosen Art as your final topic, how do the specific pieces you include reinforce concepts you have learned in this course? Think about the really big picture. Consider concepts such as mestizaje, loss of land, lack of political and human rights, assimilation, accommodation measures for cultural survival, resistance, racism, the civil rights movement, dual wage system, Chicano and Chicana, and so forth. Dance forms are inherently either Mestizo in nature or demonstrate accommodation. Some even have a religious tone. All cultures we have artistic expressions such as Theatre, Dance, Painting, Sculpture. Why? This is your chance to shine.
The Honors presentation must include 30-40 slides and at least five cited sources.