history essay

History 131: U.S. History since 1865

Quinney Summer Session II 2017

Civic Engagement Assignment #5: Making Democracy Work

“A healthy democracy requires a decent society;

it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant and respectful.”

— Federal Judge Charles W. Pickering

This course is intended to encourage you to do more than learn about American history. The goal all

along has been to remind you that knowing history is absolutely essential to a “healthy democracy” and

a “decent society.” Knowing your history is something you can do to make democracy work.

STEP ONE: Learn more about the history of political polarization at the end of the 20 th

century

and the start of the 21 st century.

 READ The American Yawp, Chapters 28-30.

 EXPLORE data with regard to Political Polarization in 2017 at the Pew Research Center.

STEP TWO: At the start of the course, all of you should have watched the film Patriocracy.

Watch these six clips as a reminder of the message. Watch Clip 6 more than

once. 

STEP THREE: THINK ABOUT IT.

STEP FOUR: Respond to this Prompt in a 3 page (~750-1000 words) essay.

How did we get here? What explains the extreme polarization of American politics, in

your view? Does it bother you? Is there anything that can be done about it? How do we

get out? Please address this question as honestly and as thoughtfully as you can: What

can YOU do to “break the cycle” and to build a “decent society” in which a healthy

democracy can thrive?

Civic Engagement Assignment #5 is due to Cougar Courses

before midnight (11:55 PM) on Saturday, August 12.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOLID HISTORICAL WRITING

 Address every question. Be sure to answer every question in the prompt.

 Organize your thoughts and your argument. Include an introduction that lays out the main argument (thesis). Develop your argument and provide evidence in the body of the response.

Conclude the essay with a brief summary.

 Prove your point. Provide ample evidence to support your argument(s) by providing concrete examples and quotations from your reading. Cite relevant people, places, and events, as well as

primary sources as evidence.

 Think for yourself. Answer the questions with your own brainpower, in your own words. This is not a research paper assignment—this is an historical thinking assignment. In addition to

The American Yawp and The American Yawp Reader the only sources that you may consult are

specified above.

 Write clearly and carefully. Does every sentence make sense? Poor spelling, syntax, punctuation and grammar are often a sign of sloppiness and will weigh heavily against your

grade.

 Avoid personal sentiments. Voice your view, but avoid using the first person and personal sentiments such as “I feel that…” or “I believe that…” Your essay should make an academic

argument based on your interpretation of historical evidence—not based on your opinion.

 Follow standard formatting and citation. Your essay should be approximately 750 words, standard font (Times New Roman, 12pt), double-spaced with 1-inch margins. Use standard

citation style such as MLA, APA, or Chicago.

Your response will be assessed based on effective Organization, use of Evidence, thoughtful Development and

Analysis, Style and Voice, and correct Grammar and Mechanics, according to the grading rubric below.

Grading Criteria

Incompetent (50%)

Inadequate (60%)

Competent (70%)

Strong (80%)

Superior (90-100%)

Organization The essay is unclear with no organization.

The main points of the essay are ambiguous.

Writing has minimal organization and a basic thesis statement.

Writing follows a logical organization, but sometimes drifts from the thesis.

Writing is clear, logical, and very organized around a developed thesis.

Evidence The essay does not attempt to use evidence to support thesis.

The evidence provided does not support thesis.

The use of evidence is minimal, but it does support thesis.

There is evidence to support almost every point.

Every point is clearly supported by strong evidence.

Development and Analysis

The essay does not attempt to explain how the evidence relates to the thesis.

The analysis of the evidence has no relation to the thesis.

The analysis of the evidence stretches its meaning to support the thesis.

The analysis explains how the evidence supports the thesis in most cases.

The analysis shows a strong relationship between the evidence and the thesis.

Style and Voice

The essay employees inappropriate style and voice, redundant word choice, excessive passive voice.

The essay employees somewhat appropriate style and voice, redundant word choice, passive voice.

The essay employees somewhat appropriate style and voice, often unspecific word choice, run-on sentences.

The essay employs appropriate style and voice, specific word choice, and clear sentences.

The essay employs appropriate academic style and voice; creative word choice; and clear, active, succinct sentences.

Grammar and Mechanics

Grammatical and mechanical errors in the essay are frequent and severe.

Multiple errors or patterns of grammatical errors are present.

Some grammatical and mechanical errors are present.

Few, if any, grammatical and mechanical errors are present.

The essay contains no grammatical or mechanical errors.