Culminating Project: ISIS Response Plan

The world of 2016, while amazing in many regards, is not a utopia. For millions across
the globe, the fear of becoming a victim of a terrorist attack is a legitimate one. Since 2014, an
Islamic fundamentalist group calling itself the Islamic State has risen to power in the regions of
Syria and Iraq in the Middle East. The group has cut a bloody path through the region, killing
thousands that do not agree with their religious beliefs. However, their reach is not limited to the
territory they directly control. The Islamic State has been particularly effective in orchestrating
large-scale attacks across many continents including North America, Europe, and Africa. Can
they be stopped? This is your task.

Our class is going to participate in a mock-United Nations proposal debate, Your ultimate
goal will be to develop a policy proposal for the hypothetical international community to combat
the Islamic State. This activity will take place over the next four weeks and is broken down like
this:

Week 1: Background Information

The first week of our exercise is extremely straightforward. As a class, we will be
exploring the history of the United Nations as an international institution. We will discuss its
emergence in the aftermath of WWII as well as its structure (its committees, how it votes, etc.).
It will be during this time that you will randomly select a nation you will represent as part
of our culminating activity. This will play a role in weeks 2 through 4, so make sure you are
fully aware of which nation you will be representing. The proposal you will be creating will be
based on the history, experiences, and views of the country you have selected. After examining
the history of the United Nations, we will begin exploring the concept of terrorism. While many
claim to have a strict, accurate definition of terrorism, we will challenge misconceptions and
examine the origins of terrorism and its future in our society. We will conclude by discussing
conflicts in the Middle East over the past few decades and how such complications gave rise to
the Islamic State within the past few years.

Week 2: Research
For our culminating activity, your task will be to develop a comprehensive policy
proposal to combat the Islamic State and promote greater stability in the fight against terrorism.
To do that, you must conduct your research on your country and its positions. I will expect each
one of you to become experts on your country. Throughout the second week, we will spend
our time in the schools media center conducting research through the use of computers as well
as physical books. I will provide you with information for a single source you all can use.
However, you are to use a minimum of four sources overall, including the one provided to you.
For each source you use, you will need to fill out a source assessment sheet analyzing the
sources origins. These sheets will need to be turned into me when we meet for at least one
conference to discuss the progress of your research. We will examine any difficulties you might
be having and see how I can best support your research and your final policy proposal.
Additionally, I will be providing you all with a resource to assist with structuring and writing
your policy proposal. It is expected that your policy proposal will conform to these expected
standards.

Week 3: Policy Proposal Drafting and Parliamentary Procedure

Week 3 will be dedicated to sharing your research with your peers, finishing your policy
proposal, and learning the proper way to debate with a system called Parliamentary Procedure.
The first class of Week 3 will be focused on sharing your research and groups and discussing
what has been most surprising and helpful during your investigation. When this is taken care of, I
will allow you all to make use of class time to work on your policy proposal, which must be
turned into me by the end of Week 3. If the policy proposal is not turned in on time by the
end of the week, you will fail this entire project. I will be giving you ample time during class
to work on the proposal. If you are struggling to finish it in class, you are more than welcome to
work on the proposal for homework. I will not be allowing any exceptions to this rule. The final
class during Week 3 will be practicing the Parliamentary Procedure style with myself acting as
chair so you all have some experience before we enter Week 4 and the culminating project for
the entire unit.

Week 4: Culminating Simulation

This is the week where all your hard work pays off. For the entirety of Week 4, we will
be engaged in a simulated United Nations debate with the stated goal of trying to pass proposals.
During the week, you each will be, at some point, presenting your proposals to the class in a
Parliamentary Procedure-structured debate. As a result, you will be expected to be aware of the
policies and motions that can occur during the debate. Over the course of the simulation, you will
have the option to merge your proposals with others if they are similar or congruent. If you
choose to do this, you both will be expected to present the proposal together. Your grade does
not rest on passing your proposal: if it is articulate and well-written but fails to pass, your grade
will not be impacted. For those of you who struggle with public speaking, I will be staying until
4 PM every day after school to offer public speaking practice sessions if you wish to develop
your skills further.
On a personal note: by the time the simulation occurs during Week 4, you will have
been working on this entire assignment for almost a month. This is an assignment I want you all
to take pride in. Your proposal should be something you share with your parents, put on the
refrigerator, put on social media if thats your thing. This unit requires a great deal of work, but
the rewards are even greater. I want you all to commit to the activity and have fun with it!
If you have any questions about ANYTHING on this assignment sheet, PLEASE ASK.