Final Exam Essays. 50% Of the final.
This should say something about the value I have for the time you take to research and organize your writing response. No question about it-thinking will be required to be successful.
For the final exam I am asking you to deliberate over a famous quote that can be used to make meaning out of the second half of the 20th Century. In other words I would like you to explain, justify, or assess how one of the below quotes can be used to develop a higher level of thinking on a topic or theme we explored from 1945-2000. Please feel free to agree, problematize or even trouble any of the positions that are taken in the quotes as it applies to your theme or topic.
First, pick the quote you want to use, next connect to a topic (s)or theme (s) that you feel would be appropriate. Finally develop a 5 paragraph essay complete with an introduction, thesis, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. I am asking you to frame out your essay with either a traditional outline or graphic organizer. Again, I will supply this and you may use it during the written part of the exam. Please feel free to post any questions or see me in person. Remember, our exam is on Thursday, June 3rd.
#1. Constitutions are checks upon the hasty action of the majority. They are self imposed restraints of a whole people upon the majority of them to secure the sober action and respects for the rights of the minority. -Howard Taft (1911)
#2. The issue [of consumerism] is deeper than greed and selfishness. Material consumption-buying and possessing things-has become the primary way of belonging in America and around the world. If we can not buy, if we can not consume, we simply can't belong." -Jim Wallis (1997)
#3. I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take them, but to inform their discretion by education. -Thomas Jefferson, 1820
#4. Feminism is an entire world view or gestalt , not just a laundry list of women's issues. -Charlotte Bunch (1981)
#5. The time is at hand when the voices of of the feminine mystique can no longer drown out the inner voice that is driving women on to be complete. - Betty Friedan, 1963
#6. Capitalism is an economic order marked by the private ownership of the means of production vested in a minority class called "capitalists" and by a market system that determines the incomes and distributes the outputs arising from the its productive activity. It is a social order characterized by a "bourgeois" culture, among whose manifold aspects the drive for wealth is the most important. -Robert L. Heilbroner 1974.
#7. Before we engage ourselves [foreign policy], we must know what we are doing; and once we have engaged ourselves , we must prevail, or the impact will be catastrophic. -Henry Kissinger, 1980
#8. What I do object to about America is the herd thinking. There is no room for individuals in your country- and yet you are dedicated to saving the world for individualism. Bertrand Russell, 1964.
#9. The strength of our nation [America] must continue to be used in the interest of all our people rather than a privileged few. It must continue to be used unselfishly in the struggle for world peace and the betterment of mankind. Harry Truman-1949
#10 The business of American is not business. Neither is it war. The business of America is justice, and securing the blessings of liberty. George Will, 1991
# 11. In one generation we have moved from denying a black man service at a lunch counter to elevating one to the highest military office in the nation, and to be a contender for the presidency. This is a magnificent country and I am proud to be one of its sons. Colin Powell, 1995.
# 12. We are not fighting for integration, nor are we fighting for separation. We are fighting for recognition as human beings. Malcolm X, 1964
# 13. History teaches us the mistakes we are going to make. Laurence Peter, 1977
#14. History is not concerned with predicting: the ability to predict would mean a closed and determined universe or, perhaps worse, a managed one. And if we know anything from our observation of the drama of history, it is that history is open, full of extraordinary potential and inexplicable turns and changes. Page Smith, 1964
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Oral History Help
Please feel free to use this blog to post any questions regarding the completion of the oral history project. Due May 3rd.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
How and why did the Cold War end?
What role did US politcal leadership play in ending the Cold War?
Click on this link for your assignment.
Click on this link for your assignment.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
2010 Mid Term Exam (Essay Choices) Pick 1
You are going to be asked to answer one of following essay questions for your 20th Century mid-term. Similar to the last essay, you will be permitted to research and frame out (using the graphic organizer) an argument before you sit down to write (the writing will take place during your scheduled exam period).
I am interested in the theme of "history informs" for this midterm. In other words, history should be analyzed because it has the potential to inform and help us make meaning out of the 21st Century rather than understood as a collection of empty facts only to be forgotten. To that end, my questions are designed to make you think about how history helps shape and define two critical issues Americans (and 1 Swede) are grappling with in the 21st Century. Considering we have been studying the ideas for reform in a democratic society, the changing role of our federal government, and the dynamics of American diplomacy in the first half of the 20th Century, the modern debates on war and health care seem to me appropriate topics.
In order to formulate a thesis, analyze and ultimately draw a few conclusions, you are going to be required to read, listen, or both, the opinions of prominent political players from both sides of the aisle. As you will witness, these modern political voices clearly use history in order to buttress their claims and political positions. In general terms, your role will be to analyze how they do this in the 21st Century. You will assess-was it effective? Was it historical in an academic sense? Were they being historically selective? If so, what were they leaving out? How does our 2010 Zeitgeist shape or influence the way they look at history? What are the consequences of historical illiteracy in contemplating these matters? These questions should not be understood as the only questions you could analyze. Clearly, how you respond to these voices might invoke other "analysis" type questions or areas of historical thought. What I don't want out of this assignment is a political rant that is unsubstantiated, anti-intellectual, uninformed, or all of these.
Yes, this is way up there in terms of "higher order thinking". And yes, I have high expectations. However, you have demonstrated to me many times the capacity to think well beyond the pages of Nash and "know it or don't know it facts". I especially enjoyed our 1st semester discussions when it revealed independent thinking based on notions of evidence and the application of effective language. Now is the time to put these abilities together in an essay. An important essay that will constitute 50% of the mid-term grade.
Feel free to join this blog as a means to ask questions or clarify ideas. I will check it everyday and give responses as soon as I can. There is no requirement to do this. Work will be individual, but there is no doubt in my mind that a question you ask might be similar to someone else's.
Finally, I will give you a copy of the rubric and graphic organizer in class. Both items will be used while you take the essay during the exam period Tuesday afternoon. This will be stapled to the essay submitted for review.
EQ Choice 1. Analyze the uses of 20th Century history by both George W. Bush and Barack Obama as it relates to American foreign policy /War on Terror in the 21st Century.
Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address ( 15 months after US engagement in Afghanistan, a few weeks before Iraq commenced) http://www.presidentialrhetoric.com/speeches/01.28.03.html
Obama's 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/12/10/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5961370.shtml
I am interested in the theme of "history informs" for this midterm. In other words, history should be analyzed because it has the potential to inform and help us make meaning out of the 21st Century rather than understood as a collection of empty facts only to be forgotten. To that end, my questions are designed to make you think about how history helps shape and define two critical issues Americans (and 1 Swede) are grappling with in the 21st Century. Considering we have been studying the ideas for reform in a democratic society, the changing role of our federal government, and the dynamics of American diplomacy in the first half of the 20th Century, the modern debates on war and health care seem to me appropriate topics.
In order to formulate a thesis, analyze and ultimately draw a few conclusions, you are going to be required to read, listen, or both, the opinions of prominent political players from both sides of the aisle. As you will witness, these modern political voices clearly use history in order to buttress their claims and political positions. In general terms, your role will be to analyze how they do this in the 21st Century. You will assess-was it effective? Was it historical in an academic sense? Were they being historically selective? If so, what were they leaving out? How does our 2010 Zeitgeist shape or influence the way they look at history? What are the consequences of historical illiteracy in contemplating these matters? These questions should not be understood as the only questions you could analyze. Clearly, how you respond to these voices might invoke other "analysis" type questions or areas of historical thought. What I don't want out of this assignment is a political rant that is unsubstantiated, anti-intellectual, uninformed, or all of these.
Yes, this is way up there in terms of "higher order thinking". And yes, I have high expectations. However, you have demonstrated to me many times the capacity to think well beyond the pages of Nash and "know it or don't know it facts". I especially enjoyed our 1st semester discussions when it revealed independent thinking based on notions of evidence and the application of effective language. Now is the time to put these abilities together in an essay. An important essay that will constitute 50% of the mid-term grade.
Feel free to join this blog as a means to ask questions or clarify ideas. I will check it everyday and give responses as soon as I can. There is no requirement to do this. Work will be individual, but there is no doubt in my mind that a question you ask might be similar to someone else's.
Finally, I will give you a copy of the rubric and graphic organizer in class. Both items will be used while you take the essay during the exam period Tuesday afternoon. This will be stapled to the essay submitted for review.
War on Terror: Barack Obama and George W. Bush
EQ Choice 1. Analyze the uses of 20th Century history by both George W. Bush and Barack Obama as it relates to American foreign policy /War on Terror in the 21st Century.
Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address ( 15 months after US engagement in Afghanistan, a few weeks before Iraq commenced) http://www.presidentialrhetoric.com/speeches/01.28.03.html
Obama's 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/12/10/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5961370.shtml
Heathcare Debate: Barack Obama and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
EQ choice #2: Analyze the uses of 20th Century history by both Mitch McConnell and Barack Obama as it relates to the challenges of accessible / affordable health care in the 21st Century.
Obama's 2009 Prime Time Speech on Health Care
Mitch McConnell's (Republican Leader in the US Senate) Speech on Health Care
http://mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=HealthCarePlan&ContentRecord_id=e3616b8f-14f3-47c9-9018-da92efcfcbe0&ContentType_id=f4c2c223-b5bb-41cf-9cab-3f5928c0c550&c19bc7a5-2bb9-4a73-b2ab-3c1b5191a72b&Group_id=c24be2ca-e186-424d-8cdf-1ba1284c0781
Monday, October 5, 2009
US entry into WWI
Homework: Due October 8th. (Thursday) You may work on the my computers periods 4 or 5 or get a pass from the library to work there.
The purpose of this homework is to make sense out of why the US opted for war in 1917. We are going to study these causes through primary sources (check out what primary sources are in your unit 1 notes in the event you need a review). Primary sources can be the understood as the undergirding of historical construction. On the linked PDF you will see 18 documents (primary sources). Pick any 6. I would like you study those six as pieces of a puzzle that help us address the question: why did the US opt for war? This was a big decision for Wilson, so what events or issues informed him to pull the trigger? To that end, in your typed responses:
1. Summarize the meaning of each of the six sources you select (some are visual, some are written).
2. Comment on how Wilson might have interpreted the source.
3. Consider how vocab terms, 18, 19, 20, and 22-39 might be used in context with your source. In other words, could the new words on you study guide be used to better explain the source? Many of them can. Please bold or underline these words in your response.
In sum, you should have about 1 paragraph (4-5) sentences for each source. Please type this up as well. This will count as a quiz score for this week. Yes, this is kind of like a take-home quiz.
I read all of your work. Your work is what I am interested in. This is not a group assignment. It will be obvious to me if you don't complete your own work.
http://www.historyteacher.net/AHAP/Readings/DOCS-USJustificationinEnteringWW1.pdf
The purpose of this homework is to make sense out of why the US opted for war in 1917. We are going to study these causes through primary sources (check out what primary sources are in your unit 1 notes in the event you need a review). Primary sources can be the understood as the undergirding of historical construction. On the linked PDF you will see 18 documents (primary sources). Pick any 6. I would like you study those six as pieces of a puzzle that help us address the question: why did the US opt for war? This was a big decision for Wilson, so what events or issues informed him to pull the trigger? To that end, in your typed responses:
1. Summarize the meaning of each of the six sources you select (some are visual, some are written).
2. Comment on how Wilson might have interpreted the source.
3. Consider how vocab terms, 18, 19, 20, and 22-39 might be used in context with your source. In other words, could the new words on you study guide be used to better explain the source? Many of them can. Please bold or underline these words in your response.
In sum, you should have about 1 paragraph (4-5) sentences for each source. Please type this up as well. This will count as a quiz score for this week. Yes, this is kind of like a take-home quiz.
I read all of your work. Your work is what I am interested in. This is not a group assignment. It will be obvious to me if you don't complete your own work.
http://www.historyteacher.net/AHAP/Readings/DOCS-USJustificationinEnteringWW1.pdf
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Welcome Back Class of 2011!!!
Your first assignment for the "20th Century" will be to read a short essay on the "discipline of history". I have a few guiding questions I would like you to read for and please record your responses on the approriate places on the the graphic organizer. Below is the link you will need to retrieve the URL address:
http://www.historians.org/pubs/Free/WhyStudyHistory.htm
This will be due Friday, August 28th.
http://www.historians.org/pubs/Free/WhyStudyHistory.htm
This will be due Friday, August 28th.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The US and Torture
With this assignment I would like us to explore the various positions on the topic of torture (or enhanced interrogation techniques as the Bush Adminstration defends). In the months leading up to the election both John McCain and Barack Obama were clearly outspoken against it. Given McCain's personal story (being a POW that was brutaly attacked for 5 years-and he never broke!), he distanced himself from the Bush Administration's acceptence and use of waterboarding. However, in recent weeks, former VP Dick Cheney has made it very clear he believes the use of waterboarding was appropriate and useful.
Let's look at few points of view and then come to our own opinions on whether or not the US government should ever utilize practices such as waterboarding. As you weigh the opinions also consider how the history of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam might inform the opinions you will be introduced to. I will have a handout that goes with this assignment.
Former VP Dick Cheney: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=6464919
Sen. John McCain (R) in 2007 : http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/01/politics/main3441067.shtml
Sen. John McCain (R) in 2008: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021503318.html
Jane Mayer (scholar / investigative journalist) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92528583
Scott Shane (NY Times Reporter, Writer) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103604852
Let's look at few points of view and then come to our own opinions on whether or not the US government should ever utilize practices such as waterboarding. As you weigh the opinions also consider how the history of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam might inform the opinions you will be introduced to. I will have a handout that goes with this assignment.
Former VP Dick Cheney: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=6464919
Sen. John McCain (R) in 2007 : http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/01/politics/main3441067.shtml
Sen. John McCain (R) in 2008: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021503318.html
Jane Mayer (scholar / investigative journalist) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92528583
Scott Shane (NY Times Reporter, Writer) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103604852
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