Research Topics

If you are interested in doing a research project there is a list of topics provided for you to choose from.  You will certainly have to do research either on line or at a library. 

For teachers:  there are rubrics attached for you to use for both the report and the presentation that may accompany this project.

1. Your research project may include an essay and a presentation.

2. The essay needs to be five paragraphs long and needs to address an issue pertinent to Brazil.  In your essay you need to take a stance on an issue (thesis statement).

3. You need to complete an outline and a rough copy on the attached outline.  All rough work and the first draft needs to be submitted with the good copy. All essays are due on the date stated by your teacher.

4. If working with a partner you may share the information you researched, however, you each need to express a different thesis in your essay.  Each group member will do his/her own essay.

5. The presentation is a collaboration of both partners essays.  I will leave the format of this open.  You need to be creative.  The presentation includes both an oral and a visual component.  See evaluation attached.

Here is a list of possible research topics: 

a) Political change in Brazil.  Who holds the power in Brazil today?  Have changes taken place?  Does this help Brazil?

b) The Constitution or October 1988 changed the territories of Brazil into regions.  Has this changes the land development and ownership in Brazil?

c) Brazil has been faced with national debt over several years.  The World Bank lent money to Brazil many years ago to help the country rebuild its economy and structure.  How has this money helped the children of Brazil or health care.

d) The Brazilian government is planning on increasing taxation on coffee being exported from he country.  How will this affect the purchasing power of local farmers?

e) What is the Landless Workers Movement (MST).  How does this affect the native people of Brazil?

f)  Ethnologue;  How has speaking Portuguese affected the nature of Brazilian culture?

g) Has the “Real Plan” helped the economy of Brazil?  (importing, exporting)

h) Technological change is happening in every culture.  How is it affecting human resources in Brazil?

i)   Twentieth century.  Is it kinder to the natives of Brazil?

j)   How are the Ford Rubber plantations contributing to the human resources of Brazil?

k) Urbanization, inflation and president Kubitschek’s debt.  How are these related to the economic success of Brazil?

l)   Trickle down effect.  Is it helping the poor of Brazil?

m) How has IMF ( International Monetary Fund)  contributed to brazil’s social programs?

n) Brazil’s early history and its contributions to transportation today. 

o) Slash and Burn farming.  Opportunity for income or catastrophe?

p) Trans Amazonas Highways.  Communication development or hindrance?

q) Indian Protection Agency under Rondon’s leadership.  Was it true liberation or extinction of  tribes?

Click here to go back to Research page.

Click here to see student work.

Click here to see rubrics for evaluation of student work.