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Module 4 Assignment - Due Feb 4, 2024 11:55 PM

IASC-1F02-D01-S01-ASY
Module Four Assignment 15%
Due Date: Sun, Feb 4th by 11:55PM
Assignment closes Feb 11th at 11:55pm
Word count bare minimum is: 800 words (1200 word max)

In this assignment, we will explore your experiences within the intersections of digital
technologies and your family genealogy and history(ies). Much of our histories are being
digitalized as we speak, even ones that are passed on through oral traditions and storytelling.

If you have conducted genealogy research/tracking online or had DNA testing, there are
instructions for you. If you have never done any genealogy or you've never used any digital
technology to log and track your family trees, or had DNA testing - that's ok, there are
instructions for you here as well.

Part One:
Research questions that frame the essay for part one: What role do digital technologies play in
logging, keeping track of, and/or researching my family history? What are the implications and
considerations of using digital technologies for this purpose?

Your essay will answer this research question with a clear thesis statement. Discuss whether
you've used any digital technologies to log, keep track of, and/or research your family history.
What kind of program (ie Family Tree) platform (ie ancestry.ca) did you use to keep track of and
research your family history? You can share some interesting things that you've learned about
your family (broadly, not specifically in the interest of your privacy), about using the platform,
and also the kinds of digital documents that you found to help you in your search, if it works
with your thesis statement. What are some things that you'd like to use this platform to research
or investigate (but maybe haven't had time)? What will you explore next? Consider any hurdles
or barriers you've faced with investigating your family history and ancestry using digital
technologies. Discuss implications and impacts of using digital technologies for logging, keeping
track of, and/or researching your family history.

If you have never used any digital technologies to log, keep track of, and/or research your family
history, then this would be part of your thesis statement in response to the research questions.
Note that you've never done so and why; discuss if you would consider using digital platforms
like ancestry.ca in the future for your genealogy. What would be the pros/cons for you? (You can
answer this even if you have no interest in ever doing any genealogy in the future). Or, if you're
still using paper/pen or using offline methods (ie excel charts) to keep track of your family tree,
discuss why you decided not to venture into digital spaces with your family history and why you

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prefer offline methods. Discuss any hurdles or barriers you've faced with investigating your
family history and ancestry in this non-digital way.

Part Two:
Research questions that frame the essay for part two: What role does digital DNA testing play in
informing my understanding of my health history and genetic diversity in terms of ethnicity,
race, and ancestry? What are the implications and considerations of using digital DNA testing in
this way?

Your essay will answer these research questions with a clear thesis statement. You’ll discuss
whether you have you ever done any DNA testing through Ancestry, 23andMe, MyHeritage or
any other DNA testing service site. If so, what was your motivation to do so, what was your
experience with the testing and platform, and what did you learn about yourself or your family?
(you don't have to share anything personal or sensitive - you can talk about it more broadly and
you could simply say that you discovered many cousins, or perhaps found family in an
interesting country you didn't expect). If you used the genetic health information options, did you
learn anything of value about your genetic health history? (You don't need to reveal personal
information about your health). What were/are the benefits of the DNA results and experience
for you? Have there been any hurdles or constraints with your DNA results or research? How has
this impacted you, if at all?

If you have not done any DNA testing on any of the available platforms, then this would be part
of your thesis statement in response to the research questions. Discuss about why you have not
done so, give us a good sense of your reasons and thinking behind it, even if it's because of lack
of interest or you're interested, but don't have the time - or maybe it's just too expensive (and it
is!). Is DNA testing for family history and health history (like 23andMe) something you would
or would not consider in the future? Why/not? Discuss some of issues or concerns you might
have about DNA testing for health or history; discuss also how you feel it might be of benefit
you sometime in the future (regardless on your standpoint of DNA testing at this time).

*Note: Part one and part two are asking for different content: Part one focuses on only
Genealogy, family trees, logging/recording and researching your family history and lineage. Part
two focuses only on DNA testing for health history or genetic distribution of ethnicity, race, and
ancestry.

**Make sure you are arguing and asserting rather than just describing and explaining.**

Important Notes:
Separate your part one and part two posts clearly with a subheading that states 'Part
One" and "Part Two".
Offer robust submissions that address all the prompts in the instructions. Read the
material that's been provided in the readings and lecture notes so that you can
understanding the issues and debates, pros and cons effectively.

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You will need to be clear and concise in your two essays because the length is not that
long. You might not be able to tackle all the prompts indicated here, it depends on your
thesis statement and how you set up your essays.
Your word count for part one and two should be comparable in length (ie 500/500). If
you're under the minimum word count, you will be penalized half a mark (-.5). Your
submission shouldn't be over 1200 words (600/600).
Your essays for part one and two should not be in short answer format. Create a
cohesive thesis statement in response to the research questions; don't use bullet points or
point form and use proper paragraph structure.
Once you've submitted your work to the Assignment tab under Module 4 Assignment -
log out and back in and check to make sure it has been uploaded properly (this is not
your TA's or Instructor's responsibility).

**Posts submitted after the due date/time are considered late and will be penalized 5% per
day (unless you have SAS Accommodations or have made arrangements with your TA due to
illness).

Grading Rubric
Your TA will likely have additional commentary for you specifically, but this is the framework
that we are all grading from.

separates part one & part two posts clearly

word count of part one and two are comparable & over the minimum
effectively answers the research questions for part one; the essay is robust and
encompasses the prompts in the assignment efficiently.
effectively answers the research questions for part two; the essay is robust and
encompasses the prompts in the assignment efficiently.
properly formulates part one into an essay with introduction (thesis statement included),
body/discussion, and conclusion (recaps). Topic sentences are used to thread the
argument through the essay; the discussion paragraphs flow together well
properly formulates part two into an essay with introduction (thesis statement included),
body/discussion, and conclusion (recaps). Topic sentences are used to thread the
argument through the essay; the discussion paragraphs flow together well
grammar and punctuation is mostly error free in both essays
proper paragraph structure in both essays
/15

Framework of Grading

Exceeds Expectations 90 A+
Submission reflects a robust and mature level of discussion, analysis, and organization that goes
beyond what is expected at a first-year course level. No errors with writing style, essay format,
or grammar.

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Meets Assignment Criteria 80s A

Submission follows guidelines and meets all the assignment requirements in a coherent way. The
discussion demonstrates sophistication. The writing is clear and concise; very minor writing
errors; there is very little to critique. Nothing is missing.

Needs Some Work 70s B

Submission mostly follows requirements but has areas that need improvement; it is mostly good
and mostly follows instructions but needs some additional depth and discussion. The work leans
to being too descriptive instead of arguing or asserting a standpoint. Minor grammar/punctuation
errors.

Inaccuracies 60s C
Submission is weak in key components of the assignment guidelines. The discussion is vague or
mostly general and/or missing discussion prompts from assignment. Does not follow proper
essay format. Numerous grammar and punctuation errors; paragraph structure is not followed.

Incomplete 50s D
Submission does not follow assignment guidelines or requirements. It is seemingly off-topic or
unrelated to the instructions, and/or missing content and components of assignment. The
discussion is very disjointed or unrelated. Many grammar/punctuation errors and problems with
essay format and style.

Module 4 Assignment
Due February 4 at 11:55 PM Starts Jan 8, 2024 8:30 AM Ends Feb 11, 2024 11:55 PM

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