What is the current status of campaign finance reform? Is reform a realistic expectation of the American political process? Should there be limits on independent campaign spending by corporations and labor unions? Why? Why not? Be specific. Provide concrete examples.
Explain the differences between the federalists and Anti Federalist. Why did the anti-federalists want a bill of rights? Explain how this country would have been different had they not been successful in their push to add a bill of rights.
Explain the concept of judicial review. Why is the case Marbury verses Madison still important today? Cite some modern day examples to answer this question, using outside research.
Talk about some of the advantages and disadvantages of federalism. Does this system serve the United States well? Why or why not?
Explain the differences between Conservatism, Liberalism and Libertarianism and Socialism? Feel free to use issue differences to answer this question. Examples include health care, taxes, wars, etc.
Evaluate evidence and arguments critically or analytically.
Produce well-reasoned written or oral arguments using evidence to support conclusions.
Analyze and explain one or more major themes of U.S. history from more than one informed perspective.
Evaluate how indigenous populations, slavery, or immigration have shaped the development of the United States.
Evaluate evidence and arguments critically or analytically.
Produce well-reasoned written or oral arguments using evidence to support conclusions.
Analyze and explain one or more major themes of U.S. history from more than one informed perspective.
Analyze and discuss common institutions or patterns of life in contemporary U.S. society and how they influence or are influenced by, RACE, ETHNICITY, CLASS, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, belief, or other forms of social differentiation.
What have you learned about the people of the past by examining different historical issues/events/ideas? What do you think we can learn about ourselves, our country, or the world by learning about American history? What other new understandings or insights have you gained by learning about American history?
What is the brief history of the topic? How/when did it enter the policy debate? Why is it an important topic (aka why should I keep reading)? Should be answered in at least 1-2 paragraphs.
Part Two (worth 30 possible points)
What is the current status of your topic in the United States? Are there current regulations, incentives, or policies that cover your topic? What is the current budget situation for your topic? Be very specific here and discuss the entire scope of your topic (that is why it is important to narrow your topic as specific as possible). Should be answered in at least 3 paragraphs.
What is the current debate surrounding your topic? What do the supporters argue? What do the opponents argue? How does this debate impact policy outcomes? How do outside groups influence the current debate (introduce both sides and how money plays a role)? What is public opinion on the topic? Hint: use open secrets Should be answered in at least 3 paragraphs.
Part Four (worth 20 possible points)
Based on the current political climate where do you see this area in the future? How will it evolve during the Biden administration? Is it on the Congressional radar? Should be answered in at least 2 paragraphs.
Part Five (worth 10 possible points
Describe some of the economic limits of the “Roaring 1920s.”describe how an era that seemed so prosperous could help fuel the Great Depression, the leading warning signs that signaled some key underlying economic weaknesses, and the vulnerable position that many Americans placed themselves in by embracing the consumer economy of the 1920s.
Describe the experience of the Great Depression. include the various factors that contributed to the Great Depression, the key events of that depression, and assess the federal response to the economic crisis by the Hoover Administration. include the principles that guided Hoover’s policies and how Hoover’s policies evolved over the course of the depression.
Describe the federal response to the Great Depression with the New Deal programs of Franklin Roosevelt’s Administration. include the strategies that guided New Deal policy making, the key areas of New Deal reform, the various challenges that FDR faced with his New Deal programs, and assess the overall effectiveness of the New Deal and whether it ended the Great Depression.
Describe the American experience in World War II. Please include the factors that prevented America’s involvement in the early years of the war and the single event that changed public opinion, the key domestic consequences of U.S. involvement and how that contributed to Allied victory in the war, and the events that made the World War II experience so horrific.
Describe the Cold War era. include how the United States and Soviet Union transitioned from allies to rivals, the key policies that guided foreign affairs in the Cold War era, and explain how those policies led to military interventions across the world. include the most significant of those military engagements.
Describe the African American experience from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement. include how the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s was a result of the failures of Reconstruction almost a century before, how African Americans were discriminated against and suffered in the decades between Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement, and how African Americans were able to lead a grassroots movement to promote federal legislation for civil and voting rights.
Describe the contributing factors to the malaise that seems to define American society by the end of the 1970s. include how the optimism at the beginning of the 1960s faded and provide a detailed description of the key social, political, and economic events that contributed to the growing distrust in American leadership and institutions by the end of the 1970s.
Describe the most significant events and developments in recent U.S. History. provide a background on those events and developments, the key details of those events and developments, and include how they continue to impact current events today.
Select any primary source document from an Additional Resources folder from Weeks 9-15. Describe the nature of the document, its contents, what it communicates about that particular era, and how it enhances your understanding of that topic.
How has your impression of history evolved over the course of the semester? What particular topics or historical issues have allowed you to reevaluate your understanding of how we study the past? How does this shape your thoughts on more current events?
Must have referencing. Must mention Ida B.Wells, Septima Clark and Mary church Terrell.
Must have a introduction, a background, body, conclusion and reflection.
How women were treated in the civil war and more on the role women played in the civil war of 1950s-1960s:Discuss?
Describe the causes of the historical event. In other words, what were the underlying factors that led to the historical event? Were there any
immediate causes that precipitated the event?
Illustrate the course of your historical event. In other words, tell the story or narrative of your event. Who were the important participants? What
did they do? Why? How do the perspectives of the key participants differ?
Describe the immediate and long-term consequences of the historical event for American society. In other words, how did the event impact
American society?
Discuss the historical evidence that supports your conclusions about the impact of the event on American society. Support your response with
specific examples from your sources.
Conclusion: In this section of your essay, you will discuss the impact of historical thinking. Specifically, you should:
Explain why this historical event is important to you personally. In other words, why did you select this event to research?
Illustrate how your research of the historical event impacted the way you thought about the event. In other words, how did thinking like a
historian change the lens through which you viewed the event? Support your response with specific examples.
Explain how a historian would pursue further study of your thesis statement. In other words, if a historian were to continue researching your
thesis statement, what would be the future directions or next steps?
Analyze the major points of George Washington’s “Farewell Address” and consider the contemporary government along with the following questions:
Were the warnings and exhortations followed in the days since Washington’s presidency? What items did Washington feel of utmost importance as he left office? Including differing points of view is preferred and encouraged.
