BTech Assignments:Topics for debate, discussion or declamation or even for composition

BTech Assignments

Apart from a Newspaper Scrap/ Book Review of any one of recent Bestsellers that has to be submitted at the semester end, the students are required to submit at least 2 written assignments and participate actively in 2 oral assignments.

Structure:

Book Review+ 2 written + 2 oral assignments
OR
Newspaper Scrap Book + 2 written + 2 oral assignments



To organize your ideas and compose a paragraph/essay/precis:

1. Identify.: What do you want to write on? Identify it.Describe it. Define and discuss the feelings, terms and ideas associated with it.

2. Express an opinion: express your take/assessment/view on the subject.

3. Comparing: compare it with similar objects/ideas. The comparison may be from the same time and setting or a different one. 

4. Describe: Analogies that were drawn are now discussed-similarities and differences underlined.

5. Express your preferences

6. Give reasons

7. Speculate: discuss the future scenario as predicted by your current knowledge.

Also, usually we 'Introduce', 'Discuss', 'Conclude' and 'Recommend' where paragraphs are written with a problem-solution structure.

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Following are the topics on which assignments may be submitted:

All students should attempt at least two oral and two written discussions:

Intellectual Property Rights(IPR)

Awareness of IPR has become quite important in a world economy thriving on Information Technology. Patent wars are fought in which the balance swings to the side of the developed world. Exclusion of the poor from the benefits of technological advancements is a repercussion; its resistance through 'reverse engineering' is equally to be censured. What is your take on the Patent Regime.

Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)

People, Planet and Profit-this is the triple-bottomline of CSR. Explore the CSR plans of some major corporates and discuss how these corporates actually stand by their social commitment. 

Superstitions

Students read about various superstitions, and share superstitions from their own cultures. The lesson includes vocabulary review activities and discussion questions.

CLUs
What is the general impact of Change of Land Use (CLUs) laws in your opinion?

Disaster Management

Express your views on the recent disaster and things to be done to improve the situation with reference to the recent landslides. Answering the following question will help: Do you impute Uttrakhand landslides to:

1. An Act of God2. Land Use policies 3. Whims of Nature 4. Global Warming5. Man-made disaster with people and govt. equally responsible

Economy vs Environment:  

Is it alright to ease green norms for development projects?

Globalization 

Have we actually eliminated distances in the contemporary world? Consider:

SLAZENGER balls travel 50,000 miles before they arrive at Wimbledon because of complex assembly lines.

Snooping and Surveillance

Write by keeping PRISM and its Indian version the 400 crore project CMS in mind.

GPS:

Discuss GPS and advantages it may have for us. India is developing its own version of GPS. Discuss the need.

GM crops
Genetically Modified crops are posing threat to our health or are they as necessary as claimed?

AI
Can Intelligence be artificial or is AI a hoax?

What do you know of the Grandfather conundrum, Time-machine and wormholes. How we visualize space, time and relationships has changed.Comment.

Graffiti

Students read about graffiti. The lesson includes a vocabulary review and comprehension and discussion questions. An optional poster challenge is suggested.

Bullying

Students read a brief description about bullying and anti-bullying campaigns, such as Pink Shirt Day. They review related vocabulary and discuss different types of bullying.

Consumerism

Do you work hard to keep up with the Joneses? Students discuss the growing epidemic of consumerism in wealthy countries.

Extreme Sports

The X-Games is an extreme version of the Olympics. Are the sports of Generation Y really more dangerous than traditional sports like hockey?

Importance of Community

Happiness experts suggest having a third place outside of your home and workplace to belong to. Are some communities easier to crack than others?

Luck

Some people carry lucky charms. Others believe in positive vibes. 

Talent

Some people seem to be born with a gift. At least their mothers seem to think so! What were your students born to do?

Second Hand vs. New

Some people regularly upgrade to a new home, a new vehicle, or a new wardrobe for the whole family. Others prefer to purchase items second hand. Is there anything your students would only buy new?

Suburbia

The average American moves about 12 times in a lifetime. Are your students more suited to city or suburban life?

Music Piracy

Many people don't consider downloading music illegal. Which side of the Napster debate do your students fall on?

Your Name

Psychologists say your name is the sweetest sound you'll ever hear. Is it cruel to give a child a unique name?

Social Media

Keeping up with friends is easy with social media networks.

Skateboarding(alternatively you could write for your own favourite sport)

Students read a brief history of “skateboarding.” They review vocabulary and comprehension, learn and practice multiple adjective order, and guess the meaning of some fun “skater” lingo.

Nazca Lines

Students learn about the Nazca Lines, an official Wonder of the World. They learn several theories about the lines and work together to come up with some of their own theories.

The Fukushima Disaster

Students read a brief history of the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. They practice related vocabulary and compare other historic disasters.

Hip Hop

Students learn the history behind this popular music genre and culture. They review important vocabulary and create their own rap

Hybrid Car

The idea of hybrid vehicles is not new. In the mid 1600s, a Jesuit priest worked on plans for a carriage that could either be pulled by a horse or run by steam.

The United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that works to preserve peace and help people around the world. Only a few nations do not belong to the organization.

Ice Cream

The history of ice cream goes back to ancient times. Ancient Greeks sold snow cones mixed with honey and fruit. The Roman Emperor, Nero, sent slaves to the mountains for the snow.