HIS 100 Topic Exploration Worksheet
Part 1
Select a research topic area for Project 1 based on which of the following areas interests you the most.
You will explore the selected topic a little later in this theme. Mark your selection in the right-hand
column.
Topic Selection
Drafting of the U.S. Constitution
Mao Zedong’s Rule Over China
South African Apartheid X
Choose Your Own Topic (insert pre-approved topic here)
In the space below, replace the bracketed text with a short paragraph about what you already knew
prior to this course about the topic you selected, based on your personal history or experiences. This
may include assumptions, beliefs, or values related to the topic. Be as detailed as possible.
Prior to this course I knew the basics about the South African Apartheid. During the Apartheid,
Black individuals were not allowed to vote, encountered racism and segregation. Interracial
marriages were absolutely banned. Anyone who opposed authority would be thrown in jail.
Nelson Mandela is a name well known with this subject. He was imprisoned for 27 years, but
amazingly became the President just a few years after being released.
1
, Part 2
Now that you have identified your topic and described what you already know about the topic, what
questions do you still have about the topic? Replace the bracketed text with your answers.
Question Response
What was Nelson Mandela’s role in ending Apartheid?
Identify one question about the
topic that you are curious
about.
This is a big deal in history, I feel people are not told enough
about this time. An entire nation was untied by this man.
Describe why this question
matters to you personally.
It is especially important because of everything going on today
with the Black Lives Matter movement, we need to be reminded
Describe why this question of where we once were and how far we have come and how far
matters to society. we still must go.
What was prison like for Nelson Mandela? How did he make it
through 27 years?
Identify a second question
about the topic you are curious
about.
27 years is such a long time, I am curious how he kept his faith
and beliefs through it all.
Describe why this question
matters to you personally.
I believe people would be curious how he would not end up
being mad resentful after throwing half of his life away.
Describe why this question
matters to society.
2
Part 1
Select a research topic area for Project 1 based on which of the following areas interests you the most.
You will explore the selected topic a little later in this theme. Mark your selection in the right-hand
column.
Topic Selection
Drafting of the U.S. Constitution
Mao Zedong’s Rule Over China
South African Apartheid X
Choose Your Own Topic (insert pre-approved topic here)
In the space below, replace the bracketed text with a short paragraph about what you already knew
prior to this course about the topic you selected, based on your personal history or experiences. This
may include assumptions, beliefs, or values related to the topic. Be as detailed as possible.
Prior to this course I knew the basics about the South African Apartheid. During the Apartheid,
Black individuals were not allowed to vote, encountered racism and segregation. Interracial
marriages were absolutely banned. Anyone who opposed authority would be thrown in jail.
Nelson Mandela is a name well known with this subject. He was imprisoned for 27 years, but
amazingly became the President just a few years after being released.
1
, Part 2
Now that you have identified your topic and described what you already know about the topic, what
questions do you still have about the topic? Replace the bracketed text with your answers.
Question Response
What was Nelson Mandela’s role in ending Apartheid?
Identify one question about the
topic that you are curious
about.
This is a big deal in history, I feel people are not told enough
about this time. An entire nation was untied by this man.
Describe why this question
matters to you personally.
It is especially important because of everything going on today
with the Black Lives Matter movement, we need to be reminded
Describe why this question of where we once were and how far we have come and how far
matters to society. we still must go.
What was prison like for Nelson Mandela? How did he make it
through 27 years?
Identify a second question
about the topic you are curious
about.
27 years is such a long time, I am curious how he kept his faith
and beliefs through it all.
Describe why this question
matters to you personally.
I believe people would be curious how he would not end up
being mad resentful after throwing half of his life away.
Describe why this question
matters to society.
2
