By the end of this unit, students will understand that...

• The research process is iterative and recursive; inquiry is not a linear process.
• Perspectives shape understanding. To fully understand a complex issue, one must consider multiple viewpoints.
• Effective arguments are evidence-based. The credibility and relevance of sources are crucial for a valid argument.
• Communication is intentional. The way an argument is presented affects how the audience perceives it.

• How is identity formed and expressed across different contexts (e.g., cultural, historical, personal)?
• What are the intended and unintended consequences of shaping one's identity for a specific audience?
• How do our cultural backgrounds and personal experiences influence our sense of self?
• In what ways do different platforms or media (e.g., social media, art, literature) shape how identity is perceived and communicated?
• How can we evaluate the authenticity of an identity presented in a given text or situation?

All students are expected to adhere to the AP Capstone Policy on Plagiarism and Falsification or Fabrication of Information. Adherence to this policy is critical to producing valid AP scores and is a core component of this course.

By the end of this unit, students will be able to...

• Question & Explore: Formulate an open-ended research question about a social media-related issue.
• Understand & Analyze: Identify an author’s thesis, claims, and line of reasoning within a given text.
• Evaluate Multiple Perspectives: Compare and contrast different perspectives on a social media issue.
• Synthesize Ideas: Formulate a preliminary argument using evidence from multiple sources.
• Team, Transform, & Transmit: Present findings clearly and coherently to a small group of peers.
• Ethical Research Practices: Students will develop an understanding of ethical research and will be able to accurately and ethically attribute knowledge and ideas from sources using an appropriate citation style.

The main task for this unit is a collaborative "Identity & Inquiry" project, culminating in a team multimedia presentation and individual reflection. This project will serve as a low-stakes, formative assessment to prepare you for the demands of the official Performance Tasks later in the year.

Phase 1: Individual Investigation & Research

You will begin with individual research to lay the groundwork for your team's work, focusing on a specific sub-topic related to identity.

• Research Focus: Choose a sub-topic of "identity" (e.g., cultural, historical, political, artistic) and conduct preliminary research. Your goal is to identify multiple perspectives and the context surrounding them, using a variety of sources like articles, literature, and speeches.
• Source Log & Check-in: Maintain a research log with your sources, notes, and annotations. You will have a brief one-on-one meeting with me to discuss your research process and the evolution of your inquiry question. This is a crucial step to verify your authentic engagement with the material.
• Individual Report: Write a report analyzing the arguments you have found. For this practice task, the report will have a scaffolded word count of 500-750 words. We will work our way up to the official 1,200-word report required for the Performance Task. Your focus should be on explaining the reasoning and evaluating the credibility of the evidence, and you must remember to cite your sources properly.

Phase 2: Collaborative Synthesis & Presentation

Following your individual work, you will be grouped into teams to synthesize your findings and prepare a collective argument.

• Team Synthesis: Share your individual research with your team. Collaboratively identify the thematic connections and develop a single, compelling research question for your team to address.
• Argument Construction: Develop a shared perspective and a cohesive argument that links claims and evidence from your combined research. You must also consider and explain the limitations or implications of your proposed conclusion or solution.
• Multimedia Presentation: Create and deliver a 5-7 minute multimedia presentation to a peer audience. The presentation should be a well-organized and convincing argument, with claims clearly supported by evidence and visuals that enhance your message.

Phase 3: Oral Defense & Reflection

The project concludes with an oral defense and individual reflection on your learning and collaborative experience.

• Oral Defense: Each student will respond to a question from the teacher about their research process, the team’s collaboration, and the choices made in constructing the final argument. Your answers should be specific and detailed.
• Individual Reflection: Write a short reflection (250-500 words) on your experience. You should discuss your personal growth, the challenges and successes of collaboration, and how your perspective on the theme of identity evolved during this project.

All students are expected to adhere to the AP Capstone Policy on Plagiarism and Falsification or Fabrication of Information. Adherence to this policy is critical to producing valid AP scores and is a core component of this course.