First, you are to select something specific that is of particular interest to you personally on which to write your final essay or outline. You can choose either of the two formats. This assignment will be emphasizing the oral presentation aspect more so than the written. This does not diminish the basic criteria for the written but should impress upon you the need to adequately prepare an organized and passionate delivery for your final in the course.
Next, ensure that whatever subject / topic you choose is specific and clearly connected to our course content: Conflict Resolution. In terms of your specific focus, there is no limit to what you select. In fact, as our texts have demonstrated, there is a wide variety of potential areas of interest, including any and all of the content areas featured in our course textbooks. However, make note that you are not permitted to cover the same content as your midterm. Of course, as you brainstorm, you should keep all of the criteria described herein in mind. Your central idea can relate to conflict resolution in the context of family, faith, personal, professional, and other realms; however, it needs to be specific. Part of the criteria is to choose your focus carefully and to ensure it is narrow enough to not be overwhelming.
The written portion of your final should include at minimum a 2-4-page outline or essay, in full sentences, which will serve as your notes during the oral presentation to be delivered near the end of the course. [For those who have taken Public Speaking (COM 1113) at PBA with Dr. Sowers, you are welcome to utilize the outline format provided in that course. If you want him to send you a template of that format / structure, let him know via email and he will send it to you. We will discuss this and other acceptable written submissions in class.]
Portions of the essay or outline must be in APA style’s current edition, including overall formatting, the cover page and References page. As is always the case, the total page count does not include your cover page and References. An abstract is not required. Your sources in the essay or outline should be clearly and fully cited, as well as smoothly integrated as part of the oral presentation.
Your essay or outline should be imaginatively written and well-organized, as well as include:
- An introduction to your thesis statement along with a succinct summary of the primary focus of your paper presentation,
- A body with two relevant main ideas that are connected to your thesis,
- An evident personalized connection made to the subject matter (share your interest),
- References page which must include:
- Hauss (2020) text
- Hocker et al. (2022) text
- Merida (2012) text
- A minimum of one recent (published 2020-2025) academic, peer-reviewed scholarly article from the library on your chosen topic
- A conclusion that is creative, memorable, and strives to highlight themes from the course.
So, think deeply about the ideas that we have discussed throughout the course. Strive to bring them to life through your own storytelling and research on your specific, chosen subject matter. You should make clear connections, share ideas clearly and fully related to conflict resolution, explaining how it impacts our everyday lives.
Your presentation should be organized and well-prepared. Your delivery should display passion. Reading to us will result in a significantly lower grade. Each presentation should last 2-4 minutes and will be timed. Prepare and practice to meet the time requirement.
Be sure that your outline or essay and oral presentation incorporate ideas from the sources listed above. You should aim to paraphrase – in your own words – more than quote directly. Block quotes should be avoided entirely as this is a short essay or outline, with emphasis on the oral presentation.
Your essay or outline will be submitted twice. You will submit a hard copy (print one-sided) on the due date shown in Canvas. It should also be submitted electronically in Canvas as an MS Word doc, docx, or pdf. Note: If utilizing a Mac, students must convert to one of these formats.
Assessment
The oral presentation of this project will account for 75% of your grade (lasting no longer than 2-4 minutes). The other 25% will be allocated to your written essay or outline and include evaluation of your ability to follow directions carefully.