Introduction:

This project on totalitarianism serves as a formative assessment on the rise of totalitarian regimes
in the 20th century. Students should use their knowledge of fascism in Italy and Germany and
Communism in Russia and China and apply it to create a totalitarian state in their high school.
Students were challenged to create an A.C. Flora totalitarian state with one of their teachers as
the dictator. This project has several qualitative tenants that allow me (the instructor) to assess
how well the students understand the components that make a totalitarian state. The projects
were graded using a rubric that evaluated the quality of the project, its creativity, and its ability
to convey the students knowledge of totalitarianism. It should be noted that this project is
intended to be fun-natured. Students are encouraged to creative and funny, while maintaining
respect for the teacher they choose to be dictator. After presenting the project to the class,
students are required to give it to their teacher they chose to be dictator. This is required as an
additional incentive to ensure that students are respectful. The assignment the students received
and the rubric used to grade the projects can be found on the next two pages:


TOTALITARIAN PROJECT
BREAKING NEWS! _________________________________ has just seized control of A.C. Flora High
School. There was a bloody battle inside the main office and the rebels have emerged victorious. END
BREAKING NEWS.
As loyal supporters of the rebels, your group is assigned the task of convincing the student body and
faculty that the new leadership of ACF is going to make the school better and safer than it has ever been
before. To do this a propaganda campaign must be executed precisely and quickly in order to keep the
school under your control. In order to carry out your mission you must create the following items:
1. Write our leaders myth
a. In other words how did they come up? You must include Humble Beginnings, Triumph
over Adversity, and the final Victory. This should look like a story on lined paper.
i. Extended writing around 1 page.
2. Who is the Enemy of the State?
a. There are problems with A.C. Flora who are you going to blame for these problems so
they do not make the new leader look bad.
i. Please complete in extended writing (around 1 page please keep it general
and NOT mean spirited).
3. Flag of the State
a. Using the large paper provided create a flag for the leader. You WILL be expected to
explain its significance.
4. Poster of our leader
a. This is key you must show the great leader in a POSITIVE light with a catchy slogan.
You are attempting to brainwash students and teachers.
5. Poster of what the ideal society will look like
a. Now that the administration is gone how will the new ACF look? You WILL be
expected to explain your vision to the class.


THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETE AND READY TO PRESENT AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT CLASS!

RUBRIC

Group Members
____________________________________________________________________________________

Product reflects a working knowledge of TOTALITARIANISM in the 20th Century

______/40
Product maintains a respectful tone (it can be funny but NOT mean/hurtful)

______/20
Product demonstrates deep thought, reflection, and creativity


______/25
Product displays a cohesive group effort





______/15

TOTAL SCORE: ____________