Documentary on Absolute Monarchy in Europe during the …



Documentary on Absolutism in Europe (1589-1725)

Your group will fill the role of television producers by creating a documentary on the development of absolute monarchy between 1589 and 1725 in one of the European countries listed below. Your documentary may take the form of a video presentation or an in-class skit. Feel free to be creative and present your material in one of the following formats or to combine a few: drama, sitcom, biography, newscast, interview, talk show, commercials, soap opera, game show, etc. The goal of the documentary is: 1) to address the questions below in a format that is entertaining and informative, and 2) to help your classmates better understand the developmental process of absolute monarchy in the country you are covering.

The following countries will be covered:

France

Spain

Austria

Prussia

Russia

Ottoman Empire

Requirements:

Your documentary should be 5 to 10 minutes and address the following questions:

1) Who were the key figures in the rise or fall of absolutism in your country?

2) What were the significant events in the rise or fall of absolutism in your country?

3) How did the leader(s) of your country deal with the nobility?

4) How did the leader(s) of your country view religion? Did they use it to increase their

power, and if so, how? If not, why?

5) How did the rulers of your country compel obedience from their subjects? If they

struggled with this, why did they struggle?

6) Explain how the ruler(s) of your country managed to build or not build a powerful absolute

monarchy and why it worked or didn’t work?

Group Mechanics:

Each group will have 5 or 6 members who will fill the following roles. If you have 6, be sure to have two people share one of the roles. Remember, in order for a group to run smoothly, individuals must share roles.

Producer: coordinates the group's work; serves as group leader to make sure all tasks are completed; helps video engineer edit final product

Researcher: finds background information on monarch; helps editor write segments of documentary

Editor: in charge of writing all segments of documentary

Set Designer: works with editor to choose sites for taping; in charge of costumes and any other necessary props

Video Engineer: films scenes; in charge of editing final product

Actors: EVERYONE!!!

Planning in Stages:

Below are the recommended steps you should take to put your project together.

1. Conduct Research. Start with chapters 16 and 17 in your textbook.

2. Brainstorm ideas for your documentary.

3. Write out a script and gather costumes and props.

4. Rehearse/Film.

5. Edit. (Be sure to leave yourselves plenty of time for this stage!)

Important Reminders:

1. Most of the work for this project will be done outside of class time. This will be the most time intensive and demanding project that you do in the first semester. So start setting up meetings as soon as possible and don't wait until the last minute to complete this project!

2. The library has 5 video cameras available for checkout. Before you can check out a

camera, you must have a parent sign a “video camera contract.” A copy of the contract is available on the library web site under the link “Pathfinders and Handouts.” Here is the direct link

Remember you will need to provide your own video tape.

3. The library has two Macs with editing software. You can use them during regular library hours on a first come basis. They are for editing only. Also, the Social Studies Department has 5 Mac labtops with editing software that float among teachers. These are also available on a first come basis and cannot be taken home and must be used in Mr. Sheehy’s classroom. In both cases you will need a digital camera and a fire wire cord to make use of the editing software. If you are interested in using the Social Studies Department’s Macs make an appointment with Mr. Sheehy. In all cases, be sure to be early and polite.

4. Before you start filming, be sure that camera you are using is compatible with a computer that has editing software on it. You don’t want to film and then have nowhere to edit your footage!

5. You are required to use at least two sources from one of the library’s digital databases. You will cite these sources using NoodleTools and submit them to Mr. Sheehy electronically. You should use Chicago or Turabian style.

6. How do you submit your bibliography electronically? NoodleTools calls a bibliography a “Project.” NoodleTools calls the submission of the Project to the teacher “Sharing.” To share a project with a teacher, a student needs to:

1. Click the “Share” button on their Project’s “Dashboard.”

2. Type the name of the “Assignment Drop Box” provided. The name is Sheehy and the number of the period you are in. For example, “Sheehy 1.”

3. Click the “Share Project” button.

7. You may put your documentary on YouTube. Then email the link to Mr. Sheehy at jsheehy@ In the Subject Heading put the following information: the country you are covering, the period you are in, the names of the members of your group, and the length of your documentary. However, I would strongly recommend that you burn a copy of your documentary onto a video tape, DVD, or CD-ROM as a back-up measure. Sometimes there are issues with the school’s filter that make it difficult or impossible to play videos from YouTube in the classroom. In order for your documentary to be graded, we must be able to watch it in class! So be sure to bring a copy of your documentary on a video tape, DVD, or CD-ROM! Also be sure to label your video tape, DVD, or CD-ROM with the country you are covering, the period you are in, the names of the members of your group, and the length of your documentary.

8. Make sure your documentary will be able to play in class. No excuses will be

accepted. If it cannot be viewed by the class, it cannot be graded. It will be considered late.

Due Date:

The documentary is due on ______________.

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