Category: American history

March: Book 2 Essay Assignment
Though the 1950s had witnessed significant challenges to racial segregation and inequality, a younger generation of civil rights activists pushed for more rapid change during the 1960s. New organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee encouraged widespread use of direct action such as sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, and voter registration campaigns to create a more equitable society. After reading March: Book 2, which chronicles the experiences of John Lewis during the early 1960s, along with other supporting primary sources, address the following questions:
What were civil rights activists seeking to accomplish through their use of direct action during the early 1960s and did they succeed?
In answering these questions, you must draw upon at least FIVE separate scenes from Lewis’ book, addressing the specific tactics used by civil rights activists, the goals they sought, the individuals involved, and the obstacles they faced.
Be sure to use Chapter 25 in the Foner text and at least two of the primary sources included in the March: Book 2 Materials folder in Course Content to inform your work. This assignment is meant to assess your ability to interpret both primary and secondary historical sources.
Guidelines
Provide a strong thesis. The thesis should be a concise statement in the first paragraph of your essay that clearly answers the assigned questions. Consider both specific and larger goals sought by civil rights activists and whether they achieved them.
Develop an appropriate and concise historical context for the paper. Provide a historical background that explains how the freedom movement evolved by the early 1960s, addressing specific tactics and events such as sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, the Birmingham protests, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and voter registration campaigns. Be sure to draw on the Foner textbook and sources from the Blackboard assignment folder to develop this context.
Use specific evidence from March: Book 2 and additional primary sources to support your thesis. The examples you select should provide support for your argument; do not merely provide a description of the contents of several sources or summarize their overall content.
Cite your sources properly and include a works cited page. Be sure to cite both paraphrased and directly quoted information, placing the page number(s) on which you found the cited information in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example, material from March: Book 2 would be cited within your essay as follows: (Lewis et al. 103-4). The entry in the Works Cited page would be:
Lewis, John, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. March: Book 2. Top Shelf, 2015. Print.
A sample Works Cited entry for an online document would be:
Peck, Jim. “Freedom Ride.” CORE-lator, May 1961. Civil Rights Movement Archive. . Accessed on 1 November 2020.
A Works Cited entry for the textbook would look like this:
Foner, Eric.  Give Me Liberty: An American History, Vol. 2.  5th Seagull ed., W.W. Norton, 2017. Print.
If you would like additional guidance with MLA format, see the following websites:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
http://libguides.montgomerycollege.edu/mla
Provide a conclusion that effectively wraps up your argument and leaves the reader convinced that you have supported your thesis.
Logistics
Your analysis should be five pages, typed, and double-spaced. Use one-inch margins and a suitable 12 pt. font such as Times New Roman.
Do not provide a separate title page. Include your name, the course and section number, and the date single-spaced in the upper left-hand corner of the first page.
Provide a meaningful title for your paper and center it above the first paragraph.
Always make sure that you have a back-up copy for yourself.
Allow yourself plenty of time to read the materials, consider the question, revise an initial draft, and proofread your final paper. Please feel free to discuss with me any questions or concerns you may have about the paper before it is due.
Remember to adhere to the Academic Honesty policies stated in the syllabus.
How to Post Your Assignment
Save your essays in an accessible format (doc, .docx, .pdf) with a clear name identifying the file as your own.
Go to the “Assignments” link on the course main menu and click on “March: Book 2 Essay.” Attach your file no later than Sunday, May 5, at 11:59 pm. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for each day past the assigned deadline.
You may type a message in the “Submission” box, but be sure to attach your file by clicking on the “Browse local files” or “Browse cloud service” button, attaching your file, and selecting “Submit.”
Remember: You are to post your assignment online. No e-mailed papers will be accepted, unless an emergency has arisen and you have already cleared it with me.
Checklist for Success
After you complete your paper, measure it against the following criteria:
Does your essay answer the assigned questions?
Does your essay present a thesis in the opening paragraph? Does your paper present clear ideas, provide concrete evidence, and demonstrate effective reasoning? 
Is your essay clear and effectively organized? Is each paragraph in your paper organized around a well-defined topic?  Does each paragraph begin with a clear topic sentence? Does each paragraph relate to your thesis?
Do you properly cite evidence from the assigned readings? Did you include a works cited page?
Have you checked your essay for spelling mistakes, grammatical problems, and misplaced or misused punctuation?
Have you made sure that your paper conforms to the guidelines given above under “logistics”?

The essay has a thesis (argument), and be sure that it includes at least 5 specific pieces of evidence (descriptions of sources, documents, or events) to defend your argument.
How has the role of the president in setting United States foreign policy evolved over time? What are the current limitations on the president’s “Commander in Chief” power when it comes to foreign policy? In your answer, be sure you have a thesis (argument) about the president’s powers in foreign policy, and be sure to draw on specific presidents and events and provide detailed explanations as necessary.

Detailed Outline:
Introduction (2-3 Paragraphs):
Define and discuss the criteria for democracy. What does a country need to be democratic?
Use the textbook, the article entitled “What democracy is and isn’t”, and the video lectures to get the information need for this section.
Thesis Statement (1 Paragraph):
Clearly state whether or not you think America is a democracy. Briefly preview the three pieces of evidence you are going to use.
Your thesis statement is your argument. It must be clear and strongly stated so I know what you are arguing.
Supporting Evidence 1 (1-3 Paragraphs)
Using Freedom House’s 2021 (2020 if 21 is not available) analysis of the U.S., support your argument regarding democracy in the U.S.
This web page is link in the Final Exam module. Please visit it early and start reading through it.
Supporting Evidence 2 (1-3 Paragraphs)
Choose a news quiz article from the ones provided and explain the event covered in the article and how it supports your argument.
I will provide you with links to many articles that will work well for whichever side you argue.
You are free to find your own article, but you should send it to me first.
Supporting Evidence 3 (1-3 Paragraphs)
Choose another quiz news article from the ones provided and explain the event covered in the article and how it supports your argument.
I will provide you with links to many articles that will work well for whichever side you argue.
You are free to find your own article, but you should send it to me first.
-Conclusion (1-2 Paragraphs)
Summarize your supporting evidence and how it supports your overall argument. This should include a brief discussion about how the other argument could be right.

You will write an essay answering the question listed below. You must submit it as a double-spaced, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12-point font, Microsoft Word document. Submit it to the Canvas Assignments section, uploading the Word file, by 5:00 PM on Thursday May 9. Use ONLY notes on in-class lectures, assigned documents (primary sources), and the textbook. You must cite evidence from at least the textbook and preferably the textbook and primary sources. Cite any information taken from a source, whether quoted word for word or paraphrased. When you cite the textbook, give the author and page number, and when you cite a primary source, give the author’s last name and a short version of the title, just like in a response paper. If I discover (through Turnitin) that an essay uses material from the internet or from other outside sources, it will receive no credit.
Why did Americans fail to resolve their differences over slavery peacefully? What made the issue so difficult?

Who started the Civil War and Why?  Use the crucial political context of the decade before the beginning of the American Civil War to develop an argument about the real issues of the conflict between North and South.

Purpose
To understand the way the United States reacts to another country, it is important to first understand the other country. Many U.S. policies can seem odd or upsetting to some, while those same policies are praised by others. In this assignment, you will select one of the listed countries, and prepare a brief on that country in which you will decide if you think the U.S. should have a trade relationship with that country. You will also research the current U.S. position to see if it aligns with your recommendation.  
Lesson Outcomes
Analyze and evaluate significant political actions of another country (CLO 1, 2, 4, 5)
Communicate a political policy position in written form (CLO 2, 3, 4)
Steps for Completing the Task
Step 1: Choose a Country.
There is a wide array of countries you may choose from, depending on your interests. This assignment is to help you understand a different culture and government, as well as our policy relationships with them.
The list is separated into parts of the world. Determine what part of the world interests you and then select one of the countries listed:
Europe: Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Finland, Sweden
Eastern Europe: Kazakstan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Turkey
Middle East/North Africa: Oman, UAE, Yemen, Pakistan, Morocco, Algeria, Kuwait
Sub Saharan Africa: Sudan, Angola, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic
Asia: South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia
Step 2: Research the Country
You need to become very familiar with your selected country’s background, government, geography, economics, population, and industries.
Here are some interesting and informative sites to help you with this:
World Factbook
Infoplease
US Trade Policy
Writing a Policy Brief
Step 3: Write the Brief
A brief is simply a summary of important facts about a country. Your brief should be 2.5-3 pages in length. Be sure to review the Writing a Policy Brief (PDF) information. A policy brief includes the following information and you are advised to follow this:
Title: Name of the Country you are analyzing.
Executive Summary: This section is often one to two paragraphs long; It will include an overview of the people, government structure (i.e. Democracy or authoritarian), historical view of the country (are they stable or prone to political violence)
Context or Scope of Problem: This section will be one to two paragraphs outlining what the country has that America might want to trade or find desirable. 
Policy Recommendations: Based on your view of the countries structure, do you recommend trade with this country? What will be the advantages? Do you see any disadvantages with trading with them (i.e. alienating other countries or replacing something we are getting from another country)
US Current Policy: Now do a quick review of the supplied web pages and/or others and explain the current US trade policy towards your country. Is it the same as you recommend?
Sources: These should be reliable sources that you have used throughout your brief to guide your policy discussion and recommendations. You may use APA or MLA style (APA is preferred).
Criteria for Success
To be successful, your paper should: 
Be accurate 
Include an introduction and thorough background of your chosen country
Address and explain the advantages or disadvantages to US trade 
Give a concise and pointed recommendation based on your research
A thorough review of current policy
Be written in your own academic voice with minimal errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling 
Use academic English (no slang or texting language). 
Make sense and flow well (Hint: read your responses out loud before submitting.) 
Be properly formatted (brief style with APA or MLA citations) and 2.5-3 pages in length.
If your paper meets these criteria, then you will earn points for the paper as follows: 
Criteria
Points
Completeness
5 points
Accuracy
25 points
Depth & Detail
30 points
Writing Style
10 points
Citations
10 points
Total Points Possible
80 points
Just pick any topic you think would be best for you because I don’t mind as long as it is from the listed options above. Use the attached file as an example and make sure to use Highschool language as I am in highschool taking a college class.

A Short Paper Assignment allows you to demonstrate your research skills to your instructor and to receive feedback that will benefit you when you write research papers for future courses. With this assignment, you will learn how to do proper research and write a short paper.
Your topic must be the the same topic approved by your instructor in Week 3.
This short paper is at least three double-spaced pages of text (Times New Roman, font size 12) and you must consult a minimum of two academically credible sources. Your bibliography and citations may be in APA, MLA, or Chicago Style format. Students majoring in history must use Chicago Style format.
The short paper needs to be turned in through the assignment section for grading. If you use any of the information from your sources word-for-word, you must cite the source by using endnotes, footnotes, or parenthetical citations. If you read the information and write it in your own words and it is not common knowledge, then you must cite the source because you are paraphrasing someone’s information.
The short paper must include a cover page with your name, course number and course title, instructor’s name, and date. You must also include a bibliography at the end of your paper. While composing your paper, use proper English. Do not use abbreviations, contractions, passive voice, or first/ second person (I, you, we, our, etc). And finally, students are not allowed to use encyclopedias or Wikipedia.
Before submitting your paper, check your grammar and use spell check. Remember, the way you talk is not the way you write a paper. Please label your paper as follows: lastnamefirstnameHIST101ShortPaper.

New Mexico is a unique place in many ways. Its human landscape is the expression of a particular (and in some ways, tragic) history that has been well recorded since the at least the 1600s. Its environment is arid and continental, but high in elevation, which gives rise to the beautiful forests and grasslands within the state. New Mexico differs significantly from its neighbor states, not only environmentally and historically but also in terms of economy.
Your assignment is to DESCRIBE a different region, country, or sub-region that has a SIMILAR CLIMATE to New Mexico, and to MAKE COMPARISONS between the two. YOUR COMPARATIVE REGION MUST BE OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.  In order to accomplish this, you will need to do some of your own research, report facts and statistics, and evaluate the differences and similarities based on the facts you discover. Your report should address the environment, as well as one of the following: history, culture, or economy (and ideally how two of these aspects are related). Your textbook (or even Wikipedia) is a good resource to start with, but you must reference at least two other resources as well. Any facts you report must involve references (otherwise, where did you learn these facts?). 
Your report should be at least 500 words in length, not including the works-cited section. It should not be longer than 750 words. You may use any citation style, but APA is recommended (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.htmlLinks to an external site.).
Your report will be evaluated on the basis of information-richness (30%), how well it addresses the prompt (20%), organization and writing quality (40%) and referencing (10%). Have fun!

Write a thoughtful essay examining how US Muslims have interacted with one aspect of American society and civil life. In this case, please write about their interaction with civil rights and self-advocacy in America. Do NOT use any sources except for the ones I have provided. You do not have to use all the sources. 

Your paper should focus on a central issue that interests you. Limit your topic so that you can cover it in a paper of the assigned length.
Organize the paper around the points that are most important in your opinion. State your main ideas in your own words and use information from your sources to support them