Over the past few weeks you have created a topic proposal, conducted research for scholarly/peer-reviewed sources, and written a rough draft

.  For the final project, you will combine this gathered information and present the following in an essay on your selected topic.

Selected Topic: #3 Critique the various programs available to assist individuals and communities in the post-disaster environment

1. Introduce your topic.

2. Provide information on the background and history that relates to your topic.  Answer the questions: What events resulted in the need for emergency management?  What were the underlying concerns that brought about the development of emergency management?  Who are the main actors within the emergency management arena?  These are just example of the type of information that should be provided in this section.  However, each topic will provide unique and specific background information that will be required.

3. Include the description of the actual events that led to the development of emergency management.  Discuss exactly what is covered and (if appropriate) what is not covered by the Department of Homeland Security.  Demonstrate to the reader a comprehensive understanding of emergency management operations.

4. Include specifics about the impact of emergency management upon the United States.  Answer the questions:  Who has been affected and in what way by the creation of the Department of Homeland Security?  How has the Department of Homeland Security changed society and the way the United States views threats, both natural and man-made?  These are just a few examples of the type of information that you need to address within this section.

5. A summary paragraph(s) on the topic to conclude the paper.

When writing the final project, you must demonstrate a knowledge of how to conduct research, how to use a minimum of  five  (5) scholarly/peer-reviewed sources (e.g. GMC Library), how to properly cite/reference sources using APA formatting guidelines, and how to apply critical thinking skills within the analysis and presentation of your research results.   Textbooks are not  considered a scholarly/peer-reviewed source; however, they may still be included as a supplemental reference.

Be as  thorough as possible when writing your essay, and remember, this is an academic essay, so no “text-talk,” no conversational tone, and ABOVE ALL OTHER THINGS… do not plagiarize.  Lastly, spell-check and proofread your work.  Failure to follow these steps will negatively impact your grade.

For this course, you will submit the graded activity using  Turnitin. An Originality Report will become available within a few minutes after your first submission. Inside the Originality Report will be a Similarity Index. The Similarity Index shows a percentage of the material in your paper which matches other sources found by Turnitin. You will be expected to have a  Similarity Index of less than 20%. If your Similarity Index is greater than 20% you will need to review your Originality Report to be sure that you have paraphrased your work appropriately, and cited your sources correctly.  The Originality Report will help you to avoid plagiarism and improve the quality and content of your essay. It is strongly suggested that you keep direct quotations to a minimum, and never copy and paste text without proper citations. You have until the activity due date to resubmit your work, however, there will be a 24-hour delay before the Originality Report becomes available. It is your responsibility to submit your activity on time, with a  Similarity Index of less than 20%.

General APA Formatting Guidelines:

All papers are to have an APA title page, APA abstract page and an APA reference page. The APA title page, APA abstract page, and APA reference page  DO NOT count toward the minimum page requirement.  Your body of work needs to be a  minimum  of  twelve (12) complete pages . 

· Font Type: Times New Roman

· Font Size: 12 point

· Margins: 1 inch on all sides

· Spacing: Double-spacing

· Alignment: Left

· Paragraph Indentation: Use the Tab key to indent all paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin

View APA Formatting Guidelines -  http://gmcga.libguides.com/c.php?g=458&p=866401#s-lib-ctab-2584100-0 View APA In-Text Citation Rules -  http://gmcga.libguides.com/c.php?g=458&p=1686 View information on APA Footnotes and Endnotes -  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/04/ View APA Reference Page information -  http://gmcga.libguides.com/c.php?g=458&p=866401#s-lib-ctab-2584100-1 View a Sample APA Paper -  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf How to Setup your APA Paper:  http://gmcga.libguides.com/c.php?g=139410&p=958254  

Upload the assignment as a  Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) document using the following naming protocol:  LastNameFirstNameHSE300FinalProject

The HSE-300 Final Project will use the grading rubric listed in the Grading Rubrics section under the Course Syllabus.

2. Weeks 5 and 7 Rough and Final Draft Rubric

Criteria	0 points	5 points	10 points	15 points
Does the project demonstrate an understanding of the topic and include all suggested criteria?	Did not demonstrate the background and significance of the project or no submission.	Presented the background and significance of the project.	Presented the background and significance of the project by effectively using examples and evidence.	Presented and analyzed the background and significance of the project by effectively using examples and evidence.
Does the project demonstrate that the author has critically evaluated and analyzed the topic?	Did not present relevant information relating to the topic or no submission.	Presented relevant information relating to the topic but is missing needed data and information.	Presented relevant information relating to the topic by providing data and information effectively.	Presented relevant information relating to the topic by providing data and information with applicable knowledge and comparisons.
Does the project draw inferences and supporting evidence from various sources?	Lacked effective use of resources to support ideas or no submission.	Used resources to support ideas.	Demonstrated the ability to effectively use resources to support ideas.	Demonstrated the ability to effectively use resources and synthesize concepts to support ideas.
Criteria	0 points	4 points	8 points	12 points
Integration of Knowledge	No submission.	The project did not demonstrate that the author fully understood the concepts learned in the course.	The project somewhat demonstrated that the author understood and applied the concepts learned in the course.	The project demonstrated and supported the concepts learned in the course.
Criteria	0 points	3 points	6 points	9 points
Does the author provide 5 or more scholarly/peer-reviewed sources?	The author did not provide scholarly/peer-reviewed sources or no submission.	The author provided 1-2 scholarly/peer-reviewed sources.	The author provided 3-4 scholarly/peer-reviewed sources.	The author provided 5 or more scholarly/peer-reviewed sources.
APA Style and Format	Did not use APA style and format or no submission.	Demonstrated some ability to use APA style and format but with many errors.	Demonstrated correct use of APA style and formatting with minimal errors.	Demonstrated the exemplary use of APA formatting.
Length of Paper	The paper was less than 6 complete pages or no submission.	The paper was 6 complete pages in length.	The paper was 9 complete pages in length.	The paper was 12 or more complete pages in length.
Overall Mechanics/Professionalism	No submission.	The author's writing contained many grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors, demonstrating a lack of professionalism.	The author's writing included some grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors, distracting from professionalism.	The author's writing was mostly free of grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors, demonstrating professionalism.