Civics and Citizenship: Tasks

The Task

You will be placed into a group of four, to develop a dynamic presentation that explores concepts of Civics and Citizenship in Australia.

Your presentation will be based on three major areas:

1. The community and leadership experiences you undertake this year
2. Your own research — there are suggestions below
3. Interviews

•	The presentation will be an oral examination for one period per group on the first day of the semester 2 examinations on Monday 5th November. Students who are absent will sit the examination on report writing day on Wednesday 14 November.
•	The oral presentation must be a minimum of 25 minutes and each student in the group must speak individually for at least 6 minutes.
•	Students cannot use technology, such as power point, as a support, but may use other visual material or props that can easily be brought into the examination room when the group is called. There will be no time to set up any elaborate visual support materials.
•	It will be an “assessment by exhibition” to a panel made up of Melbourne High School community members: year 9 students and teachersteachers.
•	The group presentation will explore the key question in depth, with each member participating in all aspects of researching, preparing and presenting.

1. Community and Leadership Experiences

This involves the community and leadership experiences you undertake this year.

Your work should draw upon your participation in these experiences at a minimum:

Community Service (a CV and a job application are part of the community service program and will be assessed by your English teacher)
Red Cross appeal
ANZAC Day
Millgrove
Work Experience — if undertaking it this year

You may draw on any leadership activities that you undertake within or out of the School.

2. Research and Questions

Each student will research two major areas and answer two major questions, as shown on the guidelines page. Your group will need to develop a clear understanding of the political, social and environmental structures effecting Civics and Citizenship in democratic Australia. As well, prior to conducting your interviews of community members, you will need to research the political, social and environmental structures relevant to the person or group you will interview.

3. Interview

For each member of your group, you will interview one person from the wider community about the political, social and environmental issues and structures and their values relating to Civics and Citizenship in Australia. The people you interview must come from one of the following groups and each member of the group must interview a person from a different group:

Migrant/refugee
Member of government at the local, state or federal level
Community leader
Indigenous
Political activist
Public servant
Member of the Defence Forces
Member of the legal community (eg. lawyer, judge, police officer)
Volunteer
Or make a suggestion and have it approved

The interview should be used as starting point for developing your personal views for answering the key question, which is what it means to be a citizen in Australia and a member of the community. Your presentation should not simply become a report on the interview.

Groups

Groups of four will be designated by Dr Prideaux.

Your group will be made from within your Form. Your Form will be assigned a teacher-librarian who will mentor your research, interview process and presentation. You can also consult with Dr Prideaux.

Assistance

This web site contains all the advice and strategies you need to commence and complete your project.

The most useful reference is one of your English texts: Peter Forrestal The Active Look it Up!

All the teacher/librarians are available to assist with your planning and research and to speak with you about your project before school, at recess, lunchtime and after school if needed. Also, they have been assigned to particular forms and will visit each form when teachers are absent.