Two Journals and One Essay in US History

· Journal  #1 and #2

In this first journal activity, you may write about any topic(s) of your choice, but it is best to use the textbook to study.

· For this activity, topics should address content covered in Chapters 16-21 in the textbook.

1. It is expected that, at a minimum, you are reading the assigned textbook chapters.

1. You are encouraged to read collateral historical writings on topics covered in the textbook.

. This activity will consist of 10 separate journal entries; you will have a total of 20 entries by the end of the course.

. Each entry that you pick will be comprised as a personal diary of what you have learned.  Try to avoid defining a person, law, or event as one may find in an encyclopedia entry. Instead, aim for discussing and writing about what you learned about each entry as in a diary (journal). That way you can ensure you write in your own words. 

. Each separate entry should:

4. contain a minimum of 120 words.

4. consist of a summary, paraphrase, and synthesis of material you are reading/studying in this course.

4. be written in your own words - do not quote the work of others verbatim.

4. discuss the subject matter that you are studying - do not simply agree/disagree.

. Your study involves, first and foremost, learning the nation's past; doing so requires a review of previously published studies, so you are encouraged to conduct research using outside resources, but be sure to draft your journal entries in your own words.

5. Direct quotations should not be used; citations are not necessary.

5. Do not copy/paste information from any source.

5. No citations

·

Grading Criteria

You will make two separate journal submissions during this course. Each submission will be worth 50 points.

. Each submission will consist of 10 separate journal entries.

. Save the file containing your first set of 10 entries in .rtf (rich text format) or as a .doc (word doc), and name the file Journal #1.

. For clarity and ease, please title your entries as Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, etc.

. Each separate journal entry should be a minimum of 120 words in length.

. Each entry should pertain to United States History after 1877.

. Each entry should be written in your own words.

. Submission of only half the required length/number of journals will earn half of the available points.

To gain a better understanding of journal entry expectations, please review the sample entry below:

Entry 1

What was the Declaration of Independence all about? It was written by Thomas Jefferson but was probably not signed on July 4th, 1776. It was written after hostilities had broken out. Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill had taken place a year earlier. Why so late? The reason might be that the colonies were not yet united in their response to Britain. Many did not want to leave the empire only a few years earlier they had boasted about. Also, taking on the powerful British empire with trained troops seemed almost impossible. Several of the condemnations in the declaration were not true, and they were addressed to King George III rather than Parliament, which had the real power. It is quite possible that the colonial leadership did not want to attack a representative institution even though it was hardly representative of the people of Britain. Still, the declaration won widespread approval and helped to unite the colonists.

Note: You will notice that this entry is greater than 120 words in length.

. Keep in mind that 120 words is the minimum length.

. There are no "right or wrong" answers, and it is not required that your instructor "agree" with your entry.

. You will be graded on how your entry demonstrates that you have read and thought about the material.

. You are encouraged to use the journal entries as study aids for the exams.

Research Paper.

Note: Before beginning this assignment, read through information contained in the Scholastic Honesty link in the course menu to the left.

The core assignment of this course is a documented research paper (1500-2000 words in length = approx. 6-8 pages double-spaced, 12-point font).

· The paper should support a thesis statement with information gained from research or investigation.

· The paper will not be just a report presenting information but will be a paper that carefully examines and presents your own historical interpretation of the topic you have chosen and your interpretation of the information you have gathered.

· The paper may include consideration of problems and solutions, define key terms, or refute arguments against your thesis statement.

It will be important to choose a topic of interest to you.

· Approach this assignment with an open and skeptical mind, then form an opinion based on what you have discovered.

· You must suspend belief while you are investigating and let the discoveries shape your opinion. (This is a thesis-finding approach.)

· Once you have found your thesis, write the paper to support it.

You will use some of the following critical thinking skills in this process:

1. Choosing an appropriate topic, limiting the topic

2. Gathering information, summarizing sources

3. Analyzing and evaluating sources

4. Defining key terms

5. Synthesizing information, comparing and contrasting sources

6. Testing a thesis, making a historical argument, using refutation

7. Amassing support for a position

8. Documenting sources

Because this may be a longer paper than you have written before and a complex process is involved, it is recommended that you complete this paper using the following steps:

1. Choose a topic related to U.S. History after 1877 (Chapters 16-28) that you would truly like to explore and that you are willing to spend some time on. Your chosen topic should be focused. Pose a question that you really want to answer. You may want to begin with more than one topic in mind.

2. Do some preliminary reading on the topic(s). You may begin with the textbook, then further explore the information available. Refine your topic. Summarize your topic, your interest in the topic, the questions you want to answer, and a hypothesis you want to test.

3. Gather information from a variety of sources. Use a minimum of four sources for your paper, and at least one must be a primary source.

. Examples of primary sources are ones that are used in our discussion forums 2-8.

. They are sources that are contemporary to the times under investigation.

. An example of a secondary source is our textbook, though the textbook also contains excerpts of primary sources, which you may use as a source in your paper.

· Outline the results of your research and the plan for your paper (you are not required to submit the outline).

· Write the final draft and be sure to include a Works Cited List, and use the correct MLA documentation style.

Grade Rubric

INTRODUCTION & THESIS: Includes a clear thesis statement, an assertion or position. The topic is original and manageable in a short research paper. /15

FOCUS AND DEVELOPMENT: Body of the essay focuses on this thesis and develops it fully, recognizing the complexity of issues and refuting arguments in opposition to the thesis. /20

SUPPORT AND SYNTHESIS: Uses sufficient and relevant evidence to support the thesis (and primary points), including facts, inferences, and judgments. Quotes, summarizes, and paraphrases accurately and effectively--appropriately introducing and explaining each quote. /25

RESOURCES: Shows a clear understanding of the sources; has evaluated each source and used it appropriately. Uses a wide variety of sources reflecting significant research. /10

CONVENTIONS: Uses MLA format correctly; includes internal citations and a Works Cited list; is free of errors. /15

CORRECTNESS AND STYLE: Introduces the topic in an interesting way; shows critical thinking and depth of understanding; uses appropriate tone; shows sophistication in language usage and sentence structure. /15 TOTAL: 100