Group Presentation on Investigating the Sacred in Manchester

BBC North wants to make a series of programmes on Sacred Space in Manchester. The aim of the series is to get viewers to ask: what, if anything, is sacred about space in the modern city, for whom and where? The commissioning editors are calling for proposals which address this issue, and which through it raise broader issues about, for example:

• the relationship between sacred space and community identity.
• the way in which different approaches to the study of religions and theology can help us to understand the concept of the sacred.
• whether the idea of the sacred is necessarily religious, and what this can tell us about the idea of religion itself.

Your production team (half your Core group) has been asked to give a 15 minute presentation, proposing a programme in the series on a particular area of Manchester.

You have three weeks to:

• Research academic understandings of 'the sacred' (you should document your research in your Research Record – see below on assessment)
• Visit at least one place of worship or community centre or other place (e.g. football ground, Printworks) as part of your research. You can use the data you gather from your visit to inform your critical enquiry into the idea of the sacred.
• Devise an outline for a programme on sacred space in your area of Manchester, which takes your sources into account, and is structured around a clear line of argument related to the notion of the sacred, and some of the issues outlined above.
• Present your research and programme outline using some form of visual media (e.g. poster, ohp, powerpoint, handouts) to an audience consisting of the other half of your Core group, plus one other tutor group.

For the presentation:

• The form of the presentation will be up to each group, but must show the ability to present an argument.
• Each member of the group should take some part in the presentation.
• If you wish to use Powerpoint or video, you must let your Tutor know as soon as possible, so that equipment can be booked ahead.
• As a group, you are responsible for raising the questions for the discussion which will follow your presentation.

Assessment

• After the presentations, the tutorial groups as a whole will discuss the presentation in terms of form and content. The Tutors will however, allocate marks on an individual basis and the Tutors' decision will be final. Marks will be allocated partly on your performance in the presentation, and partly on the evidence of your research provided in your Research Record. You must therefore submit your Research Record by e-mail to your tutor in the Presentation week.
• Criteria for assessing presentations are those used in the School’s Presentation feedback form.

Deadline

• Your presentation and research record will be due Wed, April 23.