FINAL PROJECT US 202

Select an urban issue or community -based project with

a planning innovation that fits within the course theme
of ‘Social Justice and the City.’ Then explore the issue in
detail- explaining the issue- what the issue seeks to
address and assessing how the strategy impacts its
community. Choose any issue pertinent to urban life/
planning. For example, you could:

 Research the lack of affordable and healthy food in

Englewood and explore how the recent Whole Foods
store opening in the area attempts to address food
insecurity.
 Learn about the lack of green space in ChinaTown
and review efforts to improve/ increase the green
space in the community.

You must use at least 6 academic sources for the project,

including readings used in class. Academic sources come
from academic journals and books. Web sites do not
constitute academic sources, although you may use
relevant organizational web sites, newspaper articles, or
popular books in addition to the 6 academic sources
listed in your paper. Be sure to cite all sources
appropriately throughout the presentation, and to
provide a clear bibliography at the end. Failing to cite
sources is considered plagiarism, or trying to pass off
others work as your own.

Presentations should follow a clear and organized format.

Please consider these tips when developing it:
1. Begin with an introduction, which describes the main thesis
of the presentation, introduces the innovation and the
community area it serves and discusses the subject or problem
that it addresses.

2. Support the project’s thesis with arguments, evidence, and

examples from appropriate sources in the body of the paper.

3. End the project with a conclusion that shares your findings

and final thoughts about the planning innovation.  Be sure to
explore whether you feel that the innovation helps to make for
a more socially just city. Be sure to explain how and why?

Please note: I am more interested to see a well

developed and critical review of the innovation than a
'perfect' finding. 

All presentations should relate to and draw upon the

class.  In other words, they should show 
a.) thoughtful engagement with the course lectures and
materials and b.) connecting the course themes and
materials to your selected innovation.
 
Grading will be based upon the following criteria:

 Organization and Presentation (introduction, conclusion,

supporting evidence, flow of your argument)
 Analytical content (rigor of the analysis, substance of the
sources used to support your argument, reference to
themes and content from the course)
 Bibliography and references (references to sources within
the presentation, appropriate number and type of sources,
clear bibliography in appropriate style)
 Proper grammar (use of punctuation, proper sentence
structure, lack of spelling and grammatical errors)
 Creativity and Audience engagement (use of an appealing
and interesting format to present your work, including
mini-activities or questions to involve classmates)

All presentations will occur during the final week of class.

FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION- US 202 Rubric 

Final Presentation Rubric
Notes (if
applicable) and
 point total
Presenter began with an introduction, which described the
main purpose of the project, introduced the innovation
and the community area it serves and discussed the
subject or problem that it addresses. (50 points possible)
Presentation followed a clear and organized format.(10)
Student supported the project thesis with arguments,
evidence, and CITED examples from appropriate sources
by the end of the presentation. (40)
Project presentation ended with a conclusion that shares
students findings and final thoughts about intersectional
and social justice implications of the planning innovation. 

Student took time to explore whether they feel that the

innovation helps to make the city you explored more
socially just OR not and why: (40)
Bibliography and cited references were included on a slide
or notes. (20)
Appropriate spelling and grammar was used in the
presentation/ notes. (20)
Presenters used creativity to engage the audience. (20)
TOTAL ?/out of 200 points possible /200