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Your Name
Presentation Date:
Essential Question:
Define your Machine:
Counterpoints:
Research Sources:

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Essential Question: What are some of the constructs we participate in, without knowing why they exist and why we participate?

It may be difficult to "see the forrest through the trees".  And what does that mean, exactly?  We are socially constructed creatures, whether we realize it or not. There are many machines, constructs or systems at work in our lives.  Each of us participates in a machine of some sort.  Our educational system, for example, is a machine, a system that works to serve whom, exactly?  There are many other systems at work in our country:  government, gangs, gender, Wall Street, the Girl Scouts, your job.
Find a machine, a system, or construct that you are part of and would like to question.  Interrogate this system to its inception.  Ask "why?" until you are satisfied with your critical understanding and careful contemplation of multiple perspectives.  Discover how and why this machine came to be.  Then reflect on why you are questioning it and your place in it.

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This project asks that you interrogate your cultural lens in a ways that open you up to a new perspective(s).  This means you will formulate the following into a 10 minute (max) presentation to share with the class.   This presentation should have a visual component which lasts no more than 3 minutes:  a slide show, video, or podcast.  Hint: narrow your focus and add depth to your discussion to keep it interesting to your audience.

1. Define your machine, system or construct

2. Offer a question of why you want to interrogate this machine. (This is the Essential Question that will drive your research)

3. Encounter multiple and different sources mediums through interview, primary sources, experience, web and text based research.  These sources must be credible based on your topic.  Be specific with what you have already researched.

4. Research at least three  counterpoints to answer your essential question.  You must look at multiple perspectives that counter each other.  Be specific.

Project Objectives:

“The Machines We Make” project will demonstrate original research to answer a student driven essential question.

This project will demonstrate critical thinking, analysis, interpretation, incorporation of multiple perspectives, and use a variety of sources.

This project will deconstruct the very foundation our society and culture is built upon for critical inquiry.

A Working Example:

1. I consider myself liberal and "left-wing" in politics.  Some of my family has served in the military (I am a strong supporter of people who serve in the military, but question the US "military" as an institution) and while I love my country, I stand against its intentional segregation and divisiveness.  When I saw people attacking our Capitol, I saw them as the "other", people I could never understand, a motive I could never understand.  Then I saw a face I recognized.

2. What makes influencers become mobsters?

3. Perspective 1:  those inside the "mob" mentality; perspective 2: those opposing the mob; perspective 3: those who have been persuaded to join, once opposing now a follower

4. Research sources: offer specific articles and source info.

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You may explore or expose machines related to family, gender, sexuality, politics, religion, social media, the pandemic, culture, family, race, language or movements that are happening now.   Remember this is about exploring new territory, you don't need to be an expert on your topic to ask a question.

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I would like to do my topic exploring social justice systems in our society. I want to research and analyze how cancel culture can help or impede society from being able to combat social issues. Is cancel culture progressive or is it just another form of mob mentality?

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Anna Peiler
Date of presentation: May 4th
Essential Question: Why have we as humans always needed religion? Is "American religion" (Christianity) worth more harm than good?
I'd like to explore the reasons why we follow organized religion and the pros and cons of religion with an emphasis on Christianity. I will look at research studies done on religiosity and quote interviews with people of religious faiths as well as atheists. Being raised Christian I will also use my own voice.
Machine:
Religion (specifically Christianity)
Counterpoints:
Views of atheists, Christians, and science

PowerPoint: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1L--6vr6sbhlMrnckcXD_eIE44m-v2nX0lYz0Nhy6FUM/edit#slide=id.gc6f73a04f_0_0

Presentation: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/rec/play/0pTILFTtosJb30i41MYh-mxugOJwALGl5hmaG8LXwVQmzXCuYQFzFQ4shCOs2g8i94y9-ku47rx_0qCY.vdfyWS7dPn8eERVi (From beginning to 09:09)

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Date of Presentation:  May 20th

I would like to explore the topic of social inequalities, specifically those inequalities towards minorities and people of color, as this is my ultimate goal with my major in Sociology.  I want to understand why it is that there are these ideas of allowing inequality to thrive the way it does in a society that is considered to be "sophisticated" and therefore, I will be ultimately researching and analyzing where social inequalities come from and methods that we can use in order to make social inequality less of a thorn and make the United States a better place for everyone rather than just one set group of people.

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Olive Cortinas
Presentation: May 13
Essential Question:
Machine: The American Education System(AES). I would like to explore the origin of the AES and how its structure is not made to promote critical thinking or individualism.
Counterpoints:
Research Methods

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Angelica Navarra
Date of Presentation: April 27th
Essential Question: Who or what is a woman in a marriage.
Machine:
I plan on diving into the subject of marriage. Why does it exist? Why does it "essentially end" our social life. Why do married women have to act a certain way. There are so many questions I have regarding marriage. Things I never questioned before until I entered in to the life ending contract myself.
Multiple Perspectives/Counterpoints:  Perspectives: Happily Married couple, Divorced woman, Divorced Man,
Counterpoints: Marriage is equal. Both sides sacrifice.
Research Methods: First Hand personal interviews, online research, marriage books.

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Presentation date: 11th of May;
Essential question: How VAMP participation made me reflect on my past?
Machine: Writing as a self-reflection tool!

https://cccconfer.zoom.us/rec/play/igokweJaLDaFF7bKWDRdL2pLh6VcCZIIYG5BfPPhYPkGjwKJ1uqaKs1SAaftzcCxwDibqVHmmyJGgdkL.4cq-Xja7akM8bYhi?startTime=1620757591000&_x_zm_rtaid=StUgayTfS3SlMgtZyfhH0Q.1621179142636.60beaab2d80559ab1b11559a7c1e8ad9&_x_zm_rhtaid=388

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VAMP Experience and Reflection Aleksandra Ristova

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Date of Presentation: May 18th
Essential Question: Why do we need charter schools?
Other Questions:

Do students on campus feel safe?

Do students have a voice?

How do students describe their time at a charter school?

Machine: My main topic is about Charter Schools. I plan to go deep into this machine and see why is it that a Charter school is so different to Public school. I want to find the differences between the two that ends up making a Charter school more special.
Perspectives: Students who have graduated high school that attended a Charter School.
Research Methods: Interviews and Online Research.

Video:
-  *Zoom Recording*

Presentation:
- Education: Charter Schools

Works Cited Page:
- Works Cited

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Date of Presentation: May 6, 2021

Essential Question: Why are we taught that higher education is the only way to go after high school?

I would like to question the construct of higher education and why it is pushed so much.

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Essential Question: How does a toxic work environment affect ones well being?
Define your Machine: I am looking into the topic of toxic work environments and what are factors of toxic work places. As well as how it affects one mentally.

Counterpoints: Positive work environment

Research Sources: Online research

Powerpoint Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nqIiXa4YSZMnTenGXbXYLw4jY7cmUrnv/view?usp=sharing

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Date: May 13
Essentail Question: How does the double standards placed on (second-third generation) Mexican woman impact their progression into adulthood.

I would like to investigate the immense pressure and contradictory standards placed of young maturing woman from newly immigrated or conservative families. The idea of getting an education for a better future (independence and finically 'better' jobs), often goes against the idea of a women's submissive role in hispanic (POC) culture.

Presentation Slides:

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I am going to present my experience of VAMP/SSWA. I am going to share my thoughts or experience of: Before, during, and after VAMP/SSWA. With this I'll talk about what I went through and how VAMP/SSWA affected me. After finishing everything I have "AH-HA" moments I'd like to share with my audience.
- 7mins of me talking
- 3mins of sharing some photos and videos
- Day of presentation: April 13th, 2021

Link to me PPT:
Going for A .pptx

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Pay the Price for Life
Date of Presentation: April 29th
Essential Question: Why do we deem people only worthy of quality life if they are able to work to afford it?

Machine:
I plan to dive into the idea of on our society's monetary expectations towards able-bodied people who are able to work for money. Why we feel like we absolutely need to work and pay for everything to survive even when not everyone is able to this. If one cannot work for enough money we deem them unworthy of the necessities to live like a roof over their head and quality food to eat.

Perspectives/counterpoints:

Research Methods:

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Thea Covino
Date of Presentation: April 15th, 2021
Essential Question: What is gender: why does passing matter?
I would like to do my topic exploring gender, gender expression, and patriarchal standards within the trans and LGBTQ+ community.
Define your Machine: Gender is a societal construct created to maintain gender roles.
Counterpoints:
-"Passing" or fitting into gender roles helps some people feel safer.
-"Passing" helps gender dysphoria.
-How can my gender presentation be determined by men when I am the one that wants to meet this gender's beauty standards.
Research Sources:

https://www.dailyxtra.com/passing-trans-non-binary-178447
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Date of Presentation: May 20
Essential Question: The region and Race in today's society

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Olive Cortinas
Date of Presentation: May 13, 2021
Essential Question: Does the American Education System provide students with the skills needed to navigate life outside of academia?
Define your Machine: The American Education System
Perspectives: currently-enrolled college students, drop-outs, common misconception
Counterpoints:
-Our system prepares our students for jobs by being punctual, agreeable, and compliant
Research Methods: online research, friends

Speaking Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LxsbQ4_YPG59nQw6La9vXmJHjFX9iUONgWUnz1a3Pfo/edit
Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JNPMsf2ie7SzvMJX3eszUQbEITLzD8P1oliLEKr_wg4/edit#slide=id.p

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Charlize Chu
Date of Presentation: 12/6/2021
Essential Question: What does it mean to be beautiful: why is it important to adhere to the beauty standards?
I would like to explore the beauty standards set for people and how it affects the way we see ourselves. I will look at where we see these standards within our daily lives
Define your Machine: Beauty Norms
Counterpoints:
- Being physically attractive is viewed as more intelligent
- It builds character because it motivates people to be more put together
- Beauty helps to understand the environment around us
- We feel better about ourselves when we feel beautiful
Research Sources:

- https://shedefined.com.au/style/beauty/how-unrealistic-beauty-standards-profit-from-womens-insecurities/

- https://inewsnetwork.net/6203/investigations/beauty-standards-and-how-theyre-affecting-americans/

- https://mymodernmet.com/the-cut-100-years-of-beauty-mexico/

- https://www.verywellmind.com/what-defines-beautiful-according-to-psychologists-5180378

- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beauty