Course Project Topic Listfinal Ind 301 Excelsior

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Course Project Topic Listfinal Ind 301 Excelsior

Starting Your Research

Over the next 7 weeks, you will be working toward completing a final paper. This course breaks down the steps toward that paper into manageable pieces (called “milestones”) each week. Along the way, you will hone the crucial skills of effective searching in the Excelsior College Library, source evaluation, analysis, and attribution, outlining, paraphrasing, and evidence-based argumentative writing.

Next, choose one of the topics from this list (I copied and pasted at the bottom of this page). Each of these topics relates to our course theme of the future of our society as well as to one of Excelsior’s General Education Career Competencies. You will learn more about these competencies in the coming weeks and learn how to articulate your newly acquired skills in these areas to employers through your e-portfolio, where you will submit your completed final project at the end of the term.

This week, your job is to select a topic and do some preliminary thinking about it. Click on the link for your topic choice and read the linked “research starter” article.

While you may have some initial gut reactions or preformed opinions about this topic, consider other ways of thinking about it, even ideas you may think you disagree with at first. When you begin a scholarly research project like this it is crucial to start with an open mind. Trying to remain objective and skeptical allows you to let the sources guide your argument instead of the other way around. If you start with a pre-set opinion, your biases may influence your source selection so that you only choose sources that confirm your point of view.

“Note: The topic you choose for this research project should be used ONLY in this class. If you are taking other classes that also require a research paper or presentation, the topic(s) you choose for them should be different from the one you select here. See Excelsior’s Academic Integrity Policy (Links to an external site.) for more information.”

Submission Instructions

Now that you have read about your topic a bit and considered multiple perspectives related to it, you are ready to put together your Module 1 assignment.

The following components should appear together in one document in your submission. Use the Milestone 1 Template to assemble your finished product:

  1. The topic you selected (it must be one of the choices in this list).
  2. One source from the Excelsior College Library on your topic. (This does not need to be in APA format but must include the title, date, author, and a link to the source. Your source cannot be the associated research starter article linked in the chart above. It cannot come from a Google Search.)
  3. At least three interesting or troubling facts about the topic that comes from your source listed above. (These should be written in your own words and not copy/pasted directly from the source.)
  4. At least three questions you have about this topic and how it might impact the future of our society. (You do not need to have answers to these questions yet, just pose the questions for now. Aim for “why” questions rather than “what”. These are the questions that will drive your research in the next few weeks and help you to find the most useful sources.)
  5. A short paragraph (approx. 200-250 words) reflecting on this process. (Consider the following as you reflect: why did you choose this topic? Do you think you have any biases toward a certain perspective on it? How will you try to minimize your own biases as you conduct research? Did you find it difficult to find a source or come up with questions about your topic or to think about how this topic relates to the future?)

Put all five components into the Milestone 1 Template and submit the finished document to the dropbox by Sunday night of Module 1. Scroll to the top of the page to locate the submission button.

You will receive feedback from your instructor during the first half of Module 2. Make sure to read and utilize that feedback as you work on the next milestone in Module 2.

Resources:

Evaluation

  • This assignment is due Sunday by 11:59 pm ET.
  • You will be assessed using the IND301 Milestone 1 Rubric. Make sure to review the rubric before submitting so you know how you will be assessed.
  • This assignment is worth 5% of your overall course grade.

References

Course Project Overview Outcomes Rubric

Return to Learning Pathway

Rubric

IND301 Milestone 1 Rubric

IND301 Milestone 1 Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSource Selection and InformationThe work includes author, title, date, and a URL for one source from the Excelsior College Library related to the topic choice.
20.0 pts

A+ (100%)

The selected source from the library is credible and has clear relevance to the selected topic. Information about the source is detailed, accurate, and complete.

 19.0 pts

A (95%)

The selected source from the library is credible and relevant to the selected topic. Information about the source is accurate and complete.

 17.0 pts

B (85%)

The selected source from the library is credible and generally relevant to the selected topic. Information about the source is complete.

 15.0 pts

C (75%)

The selected source from the library is not the most relevant (i.e., may be outdated or not clearly tied to the topic) to the selected topic. Some of the information about the source is provided.

 13.0 pts

D (65%)

The selected source is not from the library or not credible. Source has little relevance to the selected topic. Little information about the source is provided.

 11.0 pts

F (55%)

The selected source is not from the library, credible, or relevant to the selected topic. Little to no information about the source is provided.

 0.0 pts

F(0)

The work includes no source or no submission.

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeInteresting/Troubling FactsThe work provides 3 or more interesting/troubling facts about the topic choice from the student’s source choice.
20.0 pts

A+ (100%)

The work provides 3 or more relevant, significant, and insightful facts about the topic.

 19.0 pts

A (95%)

The work provides 3 relevant, interesting facts about the topic.

 17.0 pts

B (85%)

The work provides 3 relevant facts about the topic.

 15.0 pts

C (75%)

The work provides 3 facts about the topic, but at least 1 is not appropriate, relevant, or correct.

 13.0 pts

D (65%)

The work provides 3 facts, but some of the facts are not appropriate, relevant, or correct.

 11.0 pts

F (55%)

The work provides fewer than 3 facts, or all of the facts are unrelated to the topic or incorrect.

 0.0 pts

F(0)

The work includes no facts or no submission.

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch QuestionsThe work provides 3 or more research questions related to the topic choice.
20.0 pts

A+ (100%)

The work provides 3 or more research questions that are novel and complex, open-ended, and relevant. Questions demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic.

 19.0 pts

A (95%)

The work provides 3 or more research questions that are open-ended and relevant. Questions demonstrate a good understanding of the topic.

 17.0 pts

B (85%)

The work provides 3 research questions that are mostly open-ended and relevant. Questions demonstrate an understanding of the topic.

 15.0 pts

C (75%)

The work provides 3 research questions, some of which are open-ended and relevant. Some of the questions demonstrate an understanding of the topic.

 13.0 pts

D (65%)

The work provides 3 research questions, but many are yes/no questions or irrelevant. Many of the questions demonstrate a lack of understanding of the topic.

 11.0 pts

F (55%)

The work provides fewer than 3 research questions, or all of the questions are yes/no questions or are irrelevant. Questions demonstrate a lack of understanding of the topic.

 0.0 pts

F(0)

The work includes no research questions or no submission.

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReflectionThe work includes a paragraph of 200–250 words reflecting on the topic choice; the student’s own biases, perspectives, and opinions; and the research-question generation process.
20.0 pts

A+ (100%)

The work includes a paragraph with insightful, unique, and cogent self-reflection on the research process and the student’s potential biases, including specific solutions and examples for minimizing these biases.

 19.0 pts

A (95%)

The work includes a paragraph with a thoughtful, cogent self-reflection on the research process and the student’s potential biases, including solutions for minimizing these biases.

 17.0 pts

B (85%)

The work includes a paragraph with a somewhat thoughtful self-reflection on the research process and the student’s potential biases, including some solutions for minimizing these biases.

 15.0 pts

C (75%)

The work includes a paragraph with an adequate self-reflection on the research process and the student’s potential biases, with few or no solutions for minimizing these biases.

 13.0 pts

D (65%)

The work includes a paragraph about the research process or the student’s potential biases but is lacking in any thoughtful self-reflection or solutions for minimizing biases.

 11.0 pts

F (55%)

The work includes a paragraph that fails to include any self-reflection about the research process or the student’s potential biases and potential solutions.

 0.0 pts

F(0)

The work does not contain a reflection paragraph or no submission.

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting SkillsGrammar, spelling, and syntax are appropriate for college writing.
20.0 pts

A+ (100%)

The work contains no errors in spelling or grammar; word choice demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic, always using relevant key terms appropriately.

 19.0 pts

A (95%)

The work contains no errors in spelling or grammar; word choice demonstrates a good understanding of the topic, using relevant terms appropriately.

 17.0 pts

B (85%)

The work contains a few spelling and/or grammatical errors; word choice demonstrates proficiency on the topic using relevant terms for the most part.

 15.0 pts

C (75%)

The work contains a few minor spelling and grammatical errors; word choice demonstrate basic understanding of the topic, sometimes using relevant and appropriate terms.

 13.0 pts

D (65%)

The work exhibits consistently poor spelling and grammar; word choice demonstrates a lack of understanding of the topic, often using irrelevant or inappropriate terms.

 11.0 pts

F (55%)

The work exhibits extremely poor writing skills; incorrect spelling and grammar limits the reader’s ability to follow ideas or thoughts. Word choice demonstrates a lack of understanding of the topic, with many irrelevant or inappropriate terms.

 0.0 pts

F(0)

No submission.

20.0 pts

Total Points: 100.0

On this page, you will find the topics, and links to additional topic information. You will choose your course project topic from this list.

Course Project Topic List

Final Project Topic Choice

Associated General Education Career Competency

The Future of Journalism/Digital News (Links to an external site.)

GECC-1 Oral and Written Communication

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Human Communication (Links to an external site.)

GECC-1 Oral and Written Communication

Student Loan Debt (Links to an external site.)

GECC-2.1: Mathematical Reasoning

Global Wealth Inequality (Links to an external site.)

GECC-2.1: Mathematical Reasoning

Traumatic Brain Injuries (Links to an external site.)

GECC-2.2 Scientific Reasoning

COVID-19 (Links to an external site.)

GECC-2.2. Scientific Reasoning

The Opioid Crisis (Links to an external site.)

GECC-2.2 Scientific Reasoning

Net Neutrality (Links to an external site.)

GECC-3 Information Literacy

Contract Cheating (Links to an external site.)

GECC-3 Information Literacy

Nature Deficit Disorder (Links to an external site.)

GECC-4 Cultural Diversity and Expression

Gender in Gaming and Gaming Communities (Links to an external site.)

GECC-4 Cultural Diversity and Expression

Celebrity Advocacy and Influence (Links to an external site.)

GECC-4 Cultural Diversity and Expression

For-Profit Prisons (Links to an external site.)

GECC-5 Global Understanding

Black Lives Matter Movement (Links to an external site.)

GECC-5 Global Understanding

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Warfare (Links to an external site.)

GECC-5 Global Understanding

Affirmative Action and College Admissions (Links to an external site.)

GECC-6 Ethical Reasoning

The Future of Genetic Testing and Reproduction (Links to an external site.)

GECC-6 Ethical Reasoning

The Gig Economy (Links to an external site.)

GECC-7 Professional Presence and Self-Awareness

Women in the Work place (Links to an external site.)

GECC-7 Professional Presence and Self-Awareness