10th Gifted World Literature
Walls
RESEARCH: SEMESTER ONE 2014
Sophie’s World Portfolio
DIRECTIONS: You will start by 1selecting a philosopher from Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. Once you have signed up for a
philosopher, start by 2rereading his chapter in Sophie’s World. Take detailed notes and develop a 3list of questions to guide your
research. The summaries in the novel are quite sparse, so there is a lot that you do not know. Make a list of all you don’t know and
4
start answering your own questions through research; 5read an essay, biography, or autobiography about your philosopher.
Visit the media center and/or the local library and see what materials are available concerning your philosopher. You should also look
online. However, you must be very careful. The only online sources you can use for your portfolio must be either entire e-texts or
articles from a scholarly database. Not all sources are created equal and you must use scholarly sources for each assignment. Many
documentaries can be located on YouTube; however, make sure the creator is a trusted source (NPR, BBC, History Channel, etc.) and
not a home video created by a middle school student. You should also be able to find lectures online. Make sure you write down the
necessary information for each source according to MLA guidelines.
PORTFOLIO: You will create an electronic portfolio (wikispaces.com) that will be a collection of artifacts concerning yourself and
your philosopher. All assignments must be posted online. Your portfolio should not include a list of files, but should be an easy to
navigate wiki space concerning your semester writings and your philosopher. You will receive a portfolio grade separate from the
assignments below.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Biography: You will read and synthesize three or more sources concerning your philosopher. One of the sources must be a
book source; however, you may also use articles and films. The essay should cover the philosopher’s entire life: childhood,
education, relationships, colleagues, major publications, and death. A draft must be submitted to turnitin.com prior to the due
date. All information must be documented according to MLA guidelines. Your biography must be on your wiki space with
relevant images.
Due Date _______________
2.
Quotations: You will collect and illustrate (draw, paint, photograph, sculpt, collage, etc.) a minimum of 7 important
quotations from your philosopher. You must type an explanation of each quote to submit with your illustration. Your
explanation must explain the significance and meaning of the quote, and then should elaborate on why the quote is important
to you. All information must be documented according to MLA guidelines. Your quotes and explanations must be posted on
your wiki space with a picture of your final product.
Due Date _______________
3.
History: You will write a documented essay concerning the period of your philosopher (technological, economical, political,
social, artistic, and literary). You should be exploring the changes going on in the time and place that impacted the
philosopher. You must read and synthesize five text sources and three illustrations. A draft must be submitted to turnitin.com
prior to the due date. All information must be documented according to MLA guidelines. Your history essay must be on your
wiki space with relevant images.
Due Date _______________
4.
Essay: Write a final documented essay on your philosopher by considering his biography, the quotes you found most
important, and the history of his time. You must use a minimum of five sources (including Sophie’s World). Identify 3-5
important questions posed by the philosopher and explain how these ideas have contributed to the history of thought and
ARE STILL RELEVANT TODAY. Create an argument that indicates how your philosopher is compatible with
contemporary society. For example, Soren Kierkegaard said: “You can only understand life backwards, but we must live it
forwards.” This idea is very similar to the philosophy of Steve Jobs: “Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you
can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have
to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all
the difference in my life.” You might discuss how your philosopher’s ideas could solve current economic problems, or how
his philosophy can be seen in current media. All information must be documented according to MLA guidelines. Your final
synthesis of all of your research must be on your wiki space.
Due Date _______________
5.
Presentation: You will present your philosopher and essay to the class using your online portfolio. Remember all video clips
and images and can be embedded in your portfolio to make your presentation seamless.
Due Date _______________
walls.maggie@mail.fcboe.org
Visit thewallsofenglish.wikispaces.com for a list of standards and to view rubrics for each assignment.