Current+Conflicts

= conflict = noun |ˈkänˌflikt| a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one //: the// **//conflict between//** //capitalist and communist ideologies as developed during the cold war//| //Human rights activists often// **//come into conflict with//** //corporations.// • a prolonged armed struggle //: overseas conflicts//| //World War II// • an incompatibility between two or more opinions, principles, or interests //: there was a// **//conflict between//** //Sunni and Shia citizens of the village over a holy site//| //Women should be given the same rights as men// **//stands in conflict with//** //the traditional belief that women should obey men,//

**As we have seen in our Humanities course this year (Globalization, Inequalities of Development, World War II and The Cold War), human beliefs/ideologies, culture, economics, politics, and social problems can all lead to many different kinds of conflict. Some conflicts today are armed conflicts, while others are of an economic, political, ideological, or cultural nature. Sometimes the later becomes the former.**

**concepts:** Past conflicts (World War Two, the Cold War), ongoing Globalization and Inequalities of Development have shaped the world’s current cultural, social, and political situation. No one event happens independently from previous events. No one event is unconnected to the rest of the world. **Consider the following kinds of conflict:**


 * Civil War in Syria: ethnic/religious conflict
 * Tunisian: Secular parties vs Religious parties
 * The conflict over abortion rights
 * Economics: austerity measures vs stimulus measures in response to the global economic crisis
 * Class conflict: The 1% vs. the underclass

**Your Task**
 * 1) Choose a current conflict. (Though an armed conflict that you haven’t used so far this year is acceptable, you are encouraged to look beyond these types of conflict)
 * 2) Formulate a research question that will focus your investigation (i.e To what extent was European colonialism responsible for the Rwandan Genocide?
 * 3) Research the **social, political, and economic** factors of your conflict (you may have a greater or lesser focus on one or more area)
 * 4) Within the categories above, present and analyze any/all of the following as needed to address your research question:


 * The origins of your conflict
 * Identify and examine the //groups involved// in your conflict (ethnic, ideological, gender, national, etc identities
 * Globalization: Does your conflict relate to the increasing interconnectedness of our Global Society, our role in the Global Economy and how global media attempts to manipulate us ? How?
 * Inequalities of Development: Does your conflict include development issues? How? Are there success models that can be applied to your conflict?
 * World War II: Are there extremist beliefs involved here? Is the conflict in any way rational? To what extent is the conflict have rational causes. Is it a manufactured conflict for some (political?) ends? identify and examine the nature of conflicting/competing group //needs/desires// involved in your conflict
 * The Cold War: Identify and examine the nature of conflicting/competing //ideologies/values// involved in your conflict (What are the ideas at play here)
 * What models (alternate examples, methods) are there that suggest a humanist resolution to the conflict


 * 1) Presentation options:


 * research paper of 1200-1500 words plus bibliography (must entail MLA in-text citations)
 * narrated film of 7-10 minutes (like the last assignment)
 * //your own choice// (to be approved by teacher)

Criteria B
 * Formulate a clear and focused research question on the social, economic, political factors associated with a current conflict.
 * Selects a useful and wide range of sources (which could include: online sources; books; periodicals; video; questionnaires; surveys; interviews; observation; experiments; measurement; use of statistics and databases) consistent with a research question on the social, economic, political factors associated with a current conflict.
 * Analyze research on the breadth and nature of the social, economic, and political factors associated with a current conflict with reference to a research question that focuses on the local, and global elements of the chosen conflict (the conflict need not be a paramilitary or military conflict) Any conclusions drawn or synthesized respond directly to the student's research question.

Criteria C
 * Use Unit Key Terms order to analyze the choice to use Atomic weapons by the USA (historical event) and analyze different arguments for or against the necessity of this event.
 * Complete Resource Reflection Assignment after each day of research recording the source(s) researched and its usefulness pertaining to topic and research question
 * Interpret (analyze and consider) different cultural, national and ideological perspectives/arguments of various stakeholders involved with a contemporary conflict and identify the assumptions and implications of those perspectives/arguments.
 * Establish a well supported argument/conclusion using Unit Key Terms and Concepts based on a critical analysis of the research materials documenting different cultural, national and ideological perspectives/arguments of various stakeholders on the impact of your current conflict. The argument/analysis should identify the the assumptions and implications of stakeholder beliefs and arguments and the real world results of acting on these.