U.S. History Learn from Past

Assessment 2

Assessment Instructions

Note: The first three assessments in this course build on each other; therefore, it is essential that you complete them in the order presented.

Overview

Now that you've evaluated the credibility of your sources (Assessment 1), you are ready to use your agility and problem-solving skills to analyze the content of your sources. For this assessment, you will complete the  Historical Analysis Worksheet [DOCX] , using a critical thinking process to evaluate evidence as you explore the causes and long-term impacts related to your issue. Analyze how those in the past have successfully and unsuccessfully tackled the same issues while also considering how these same issues might now be addressed by your organization.

Preparation

Review the evidence you compiled and compared for Assessment 1, Evaluating Historical Sources. Then begin to formulate your explanation or main arguments about your chosen issue. Consider the historical context of the issue, its challenges, and the strategies and approaches people used to deal with those challenges.

Instructions

For this assignment, use the  Historical Analysis Worksheet [DOCX]  to complete the following steps. You will use this worksheet to further examine the sources you’ve collected for your topic (facing economic change or engaging civil rights).

Step 1: Identify questions that need to be answered to understand an historical event and its long-term impact. 

Step 2: Describe information learned from historical sources that can be used to inform a current understanding of an historical issue.

Step 3: Explain similarities and differences in sources of historical information.

Step 4: Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of historical evidence, including the challenges of using such evidence to make an argument about an historical issue.

Step 5: Use critical thinking to relate past challenges and strategies to a current organizational issue.

Step 6: Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Additional Requirements

Your submission should meet the following requirements:

· Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.

· Citations: Include a complete citation for each source. When you refer to evidence (in Step 2 of the worksheet), be sure to include in-text references to your sources. Review current  APA Style and Format  guidelines for more information on how to cite your sources.

· Number of references: Your assessment should include a reference page with at least four sources cited: two primary and two secondary sources, with up to two sources selected from the  History Presentation Resource List [DOCX] .

· Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

· Competency 2: Determine the causes and long-term impacts of an historical event.

. Identify questions that need to be answered to understand an historical event and its long-term impact.

. Explain similarities and differences in sources of historical information.

· Competency 3: Explain lessons learned from U.S. historical events and their potential influence on a current problem or situation.

. Describe information learned from historical sources that can be used to inform a current understanding of an historical issue.

. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of historical evidence, including the challenges of using such evidence to make an argument about an historical issue.

. Use critical thinking to relate past challenges and strategies to a current organizational issue.

· Competency 4: Address assessment purpose in a well-organized manner, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.

. Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Historical Analysis Worksheet

Use this worksheet to further examine the sources you’ve collected for your topic (facing economic change or engaging civil rights). Work through a critical thinking process to assess what you’ve learned and formulate an explanation or argument about your topic. Respond to each of the questions highlighted below, typing your responses in complete sentences. Following your responses, include a reference list with citations of your sources.

Step 1 KNOWLEDGE: Identify the argument or the problem that needs to be solved. Questions should be asked to acquire a deep understanding about the problem.

What is the question you need to answer in your presentation?

What are some focused questions you can ask to have a deeper understanding of the topic? Include at least two questions.

Step 2 COMPREHENSION: Understand the situation or issue and the facts aligned with it using the sources you collected and the course material. If needed, locate additional sources that align with your topic.

1. What have you learned about your topic in present-day America so far?

· What have you learned about your historical issues and the context in which they occurred that can help you better understand that same issue today?

What are some facts or evidence you will use to help inform your presentation to your nonprofit group?

· What evidence is missing? Where might you find it?

Step 3 APPLICATION: Build a linkage between the information and resources. Using the information above, answer the following questions:

1. Are there any links or similarities you see in your sources of information? What are they?

· Are there any discrepancies?

Step 4 ANALYZE: Analyze in order to identify the situation or issue, the strong points, the weak points, and the challenges faced while solving the problem.

1. What are your strong pieces of evidence?

What are your weak pieces of evidence?

What challenges do you have in using this evidence to make an argument about your issue?

Step 5 SYNTHESIS: Summarize your argument around the issue or situation, and be sure to include the main ideas that need to be communicated to your group. Make sure you are answering the question you identified in Step 1 of this worksheet.

Summarize your argument: