SOCIAL STUDIES STATE 2023
@mracademics
Where in the World?
You are in -
Session 602. Introduction to the Social Studies Contest, Room 2.110
Later Session 701. In-Depth with Social Studies (Back-to-Back!)
What is in the session
Attention All Attendees:
Thank you for registering your attendance for EACH SESSION:
http://www.uiltexas.org/academics/
Electronic handouts are available there too.
And We’re Back!
HS Principal of Sabine Pass - UIL Coordinator for nearly 20 years - Coached State Competitors in Debate, Speech, OAP, Spelling, Current Events, and Social Studies - Won over 20 state titles, including 9 of the last 10 overall academic state championships.
Follow along - Take notes -Ask questions - I will repeat - and hope to have posted or just tweet at me @mracademics or email abates@sabinepass.net - Twitter Poll for Topics, Tips, Resources
How many experienced? How many newbies? (show of hands)
The Social Studies Contest
Preparing
For
Competition
(what is it about?)
History of Contest
Pattern of CX like foreign/domestic variety of geographic heavy-to straight history-to culture -to government and combos
2003 - 2004 Gilded Age - Devil in the White City
2005 Fifties - The Fifties
2006 WWII - Citizen Soldiers
2007 Am. Revolution - 1776
2008 Supreme Court
2009 African Colonization - King Leopold’s Ghost
2010 Civil War
2011 Space Race - The Right Stuff
2012 Latin America
2013 American Indians -Comanche -Empire of the Summer Moon
2014 Australia & Oceania - Commonwealth of Thieves
2015 Presidents - 1920 Year of the Six Presidents
2016 WWI - Guns of August
2017 US Constitution - Madison’s Gift
2018 Former Soviet Union - Lenin’s Tomb
2019 U.S. Civil Rights Movements - Race Beat
2020 East Asia - Everlasting Flower
2021 American Empire - Honor in the Dust
2022 Olympics - Rome 1960
2023 TWENTY YEARS!!!
Purpose
The Social Studies Contest challenges students to read widely and deeply in the areas of social studies in order to: expand and apply their understanding of the nature of geography and the physical setting of the earth to physical and cultural environments; expand and apply their understanding of the governmental systems; and expand and apply their understanding of historical trends, movements and eras, the impact and significance of time and place, cause and effect, and change over time.
The Contest
Individual Competition
Up to 6 students per school
?
The Contest
Team Competition
at least 3
students per team
Who Advances?
(3x State before Region)
The Test
Objective Questions
45 total questions = 80 total points
Essay Questions
1 questions = 20 total points
Important Reminder
Failure to submit an essay shall results in disqualifications.
The Test
Top 8 objective scores
(or more if ties on eighth)
Essay scores
The Test
Ranking
Individuals = Objective + Essay
Tiebreaker = judging of essays (scores then side-by-side)
Team = top 3 objective scores
Tiebreaker = score of 4th member
(All the way to state!)
Part One
20 questions
Part Two
15 questions
Part Three
10 questions
Tips on Writing an Analytical Essay for the UIL Social Studies Contest
-This is the KEY to the individual component and very much acts as the determining factor in deciding the best of the best
- I didn’t use to focus on this
- Shows true extensive knowledge
- Subjective/Objective Balance (Objective has random/luck aspect)
First read the prompt carefully. Examine the question in a variety of contexts: social, political, scientific, cultural, and economic. We recommend that you outline your essay before writing.
Make sure to have a THESIS and ANSWER THE QUESTION
(no matter how much you wish it was about something else)
PROMPTNESS COUNTS
ESSAY PROMPT:
NOTE: Contestants who do not write an essay will be disqualified. Any essay that does not demonstrate a sincere effort to discuss the assigned topic will be disqualified. The rankings of essays will be based primarily on how well the topic has been addressed. A focused, concise and specific essay beats a vague and rambling essay. Proper grammar and organization should be used to aid clarity, but should not be considered a major factor in scoring. Cover as many corners of the issue as practical. Avoid including personal editorialized opinions, as more than enough information on the subject has been published.
“Even when progress was made, plans for reform were usually prepared only after the occurrence of some “focusing event” that frightened policymakers into action. [WADA board member] Paul Henderson…observed, “No good lesson was ever learnt except through the eyes of disaster.” People knew that athletes were using performance-enhancing drugs prior to…1960, …but serious dialogue did not begin until after.”
-Excerpt from Drug Games by Thomas M. Hunt
The story of doping or the use of questionable substances to enhance a competitor’s performance is as long and complex as the history of the Olympic Movement itself. Discuss the key “focusing events” involving PEDs and the Olympics, and describe the policy developments they generated from 1960 onward.
ESSAY PROMPT
NOTE: Contestants who do not write an essay will be disqualified. Any essay that does not demonstrate a sincere effort to discuss the assigned topic will be disqualified. The rankings of essays will be based primarily on how well the topic has been addressed. A focused, concise and specific essay beats a vague and rambling essay. Proper grammar and organization should be used to aid clarity, but should not be considered a major factor in scoring. Cover as many corners of the issue as practical. Avoid including personal editorialized opinions, as more than enough information on the subject has been published.
“Even when progress was made, plans for reform were usually prepared only after the occurrence of some “focusing event” that frightened policymakers into action. [WADA board member] Paul Henderson…observed, “No good lesson was ever learnt except through the eyes of disaster.” People knew that athletes were using performance-enhancing drugs prior to…1960, …but serious dialogue did not begin until after -Excerpt from Drug Games by Thomas M. Hunt
The story of doping or the use of questionable substances to enhance a competitor’s performance is as long and complex as the history of the Olympic Movement itself. Discuss the key “focusing events” involving PEDs and the Olympics, and describe the policy developments they generated from 1960 onward.
The PERFECT ESSAY
ESSAY Continued
Open with a clear, precise statement that assimilates all the information you’ve gathered regarding the question.
Important: Do not repeat the essay prompt in your opening paragraph.
Take it to a new level of understanding.
DEFEND YOUR STATEMENT
The BUTLER DID IT!!!
(skip to the end)
Possible Essay Question Areas!
People (From Sct I & II- Generally)
Major Events or Processes or Beliefs
Possible Essay Question Areas!
Country histories, regional events, and cultural concepts
General Guidelines for Essay Questions
Details Review
Understand the Math?
-80 is Perfect Objective
-20 on Essay
Top 8 Objective (or more if ties at the bottom)
Both are important
-Perfect score and not place (b/c bad essay)
-Amazing Essay that no one ever reads (b/c not top 8 objective)
Team Score is Top 3
-Tie break is 4th place score (if there is a 4th)
-All the way to state
Individual Tie-Break = Essay
-2nd tie-break = compare side by side (cannot be an individual tie)
Section One Questions
Explore List (notably altered from initial draft)
Section Two Questions
New World Coming
by Nathan Miller
Section Three Questions
Questions related to documents
• Standard for Domestic topic
• Court Cases
• Legislation
• Speeches
•Other Documents
•Documentary (New standard?)
… about the questions
Sample Question
A. 1924 Presidential Election
B. Teapot Dome Scandal
C. Temperance Movement
D. Scopes Trial
… and another
2. Female stars of the Twenties were known for a new sense of freedom and energy. Aspiring actresses had to have what Elinor Glyn termed “It.” The first actress with the distinction of “It” girl was _____.
A. Mary Pickford C. Mae West
B. Joan Crawford D. Clara Bow
No really easy questions
Do NOT Expect This One
A. c’mon…
… nor ones like this
2. Beginning with the debut of the Model T on October 1, 1908 until production ceased in 1927 _____ were produced.
A. 7,670,001 C. 3,998,872
B. 22,340,986 D. 15,007,034
(will not be questions based on specific numbers / statistics)
4. A visit by renowned flagpole sitting champion, Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly to Baltimore inspired _____ to set the “juvenile record” despite not knowing what it was or if one even existed.
A. Someone who I’m sure meant a lot to their family.
TERMS - 100 BOOK - 75 DOCS - 50
225 TOTAL
| Section I | Section II | Section III |
Set A | 20 | 15 | 10 |
Set B | 20 | 15 | 10 |
District | 20 | 15 | 10 |
Region | 20 | 15 | 10 |
State | 20 | 15 | 10 |
Question Areas
Question Areas
Question Areas
Competition
Additional Helpful Material
Recruiting Students
Preparation
Preparation
Preparation
General Suggestions
More Suggestions