american history week 3 paper

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Week 3 Paper and worth 120 pts

Required Length of Your Paper

Researching and References in Your Paper

List of Sources for Your Paper

Grading Rubric

After the Civil War, the United States had to recover from war, handle western expansion, and grapple with very new economic forms. However, its greatest issues would revolve around the legacies of slavery and increasing diversity in the decades after the Civil War. Reconstruction was partly a period of military occupation of the south by the northern victors. Former slaves now had freedom and new opportunities but faced old prejudices and rapidly forming new barriers. Immigrants from Europe and Asia came in large numbers but then faced political and social restrictions. Women continued to seek rights. Yet, on the whole, America became increasingly diverse by the 1920s. Consider developments, policies, and laws in that period from 1865 to the 1920s. Take one of the positions as suggested below, draw from the sources listed, and present a paper with specific examples and arguments to demonstrate the validity of your position.

Possible position—in each case you can take the pro or con position:

  1. The Lost Cause narrative of the South effectively sabotaged and influenced racial policy in the US for most of the post-Civil War period. (or you can take the position that it did not)
  2. Political policies in the decades after the Civil War generally promoted diversity and “the melting pot” despite the strong prejudices of a few. (or you can take the position that political policies did not)
  3. Reform movements between 1865 and 1930, like the Progressives and the agrarian populists, generally led the way to increased democracy. (or you can take the position that these movements did not)

After giving general consideration to your readings so far and any general research, select one of the positions above as your position—your thesis. (Sometimes after doing more thorough research, you might choose the reverse position. This happens with critical thinking and inquiry. Your final paper might end up taking a different position than you originally envisioned.). Organize your paper as follows, handling these issues:

  • The position you choose (from the list above)—or something close to it—will be the thesis statement in your opening paragraph.
  • To support your position, use three specific examples from different decades between 1865 and 1930. You may narrowly focus on race or gender or immigrant status, or you may use examples relevant to all categories.
  • Explain why the opposing view is weak in comparison to yours.

Length:
The paper should be 3-to-4 pages for the body of the paper. (The title page and Sources page do not count in these calculations.) Double-space between lines. Format instructions are below.

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Research and References:
You must use a MINIMUM of three sources; the Schultz textbook must be one of them. Your other two sources should be drawn from the list provided below. This is guided research, not open-ended Googling. You will have a list of Sources at the end, using SWS format. You will have short, SWS-style in-text citations to those sources appropriately placed in the body of the paper. Except as your instructor might direct, don’t use other sources for your paper than those listed here. (Of course, for “starter research” you can read many sources.)

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Source List for Assignment 1:
Be sure to use the Schultz text as a source. Use at least two of the other sources listed here. Some sources are “primary” sources from the time period being studied. Some sources below can be accessed via direct link or through the primary sources links on Blackboard. Each week has a different list of primary sources. For others, they are accessible through the permalink to the source in our online library: Sources below having libdatab.strayer.edu as part of the URL have a permalink to that source in our university’s online library.

SWS Form for the textbook: Kevin M. Schultz. 2018. HIST: Volume 2: U.S. History since 1865.5th ed.

Choose sources relevant to the topic and position you are taking:

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

  • This course requires use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details.
  • Be typed, double spaced between lines, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow SWS format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The paper must be submitted (uploaded and attached) in the course shell provided online.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

  • Identify and discuss the different ways that the heritage of slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and segregation have shaped America’s history.
  • Specify ways that women and minorities have responded to challenges and made contributions to American culture.
  • Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of government have influenced the direction of historical and social development in the United States.
  • Recognize the major turning points in American history since the Civil War.
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in contemporary U.S. history.
  • Write clearly and concisely about contemporary U.S. history using proper writing mechanics.

Points: 120

Assignment 1: Dealing with Diversity in America from Reconstruction through the 1920s

Criteria

Unacceptable

Below 60% F

Meets Minimum Expectations

60-69% D

Fair

70-79% C

Proficient

80-89% B

Exemplary

90-100% A

1. Clearly introduce your paper with your thesis. Weight: 10%

Poor or no introduction. No thesis statement used from those provided.

Insufficiently introduced your paper with your thesis statement.

Partially introduced your paper with your thesis statement.

Satisfactorily introduced your paper with your thesis statement; chosen from the list provided.

Thoroughly and clearly introduced your paper with your thesis statement chosen from the list provided.

2. Discuss three specific examples from different decades (between 1865 and 1930) to support your thesis. Be persuasive and coherent with sound reasoning; have examples based on solid research.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely discussed three examples from the correct time period. The examples covered are not supported by research and reason.

Insufficiently discussed three examples from the right time frame. The examples might not all have clear relevance to the thesis or strong support from research and reason.

Partially discussed three examples from the proper time frame. The examples might not be as relevant or as well researched as they should be.

Satisfactorily discussed three clear examples from the proper time frame. Examples are based on good research and are relevant to the thesis.

Thoroughly and coherently discussed three

clear examples from the proper time frame. The discussion is persuasive and with sound reasoning and good support.

3. Explain clearly and persuasively why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be a weaker view.

Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely explained why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be a weaker view.

Insufficiently explained why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view. The reasoning or examples might be flawed.

Partially explained why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view. The reasoning or examples might be flawed.

Satisfactorily explained why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view.

Thoroughly and clearly explained why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view. Used persuasive reasoning or clear examples.

4. Discuss effectively the ways that the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or desired profession. Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely discussed how the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or desired profession.

Insufficiently discussed how the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or desired profession.

Partially discussed how the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or desired profession

Satisfactorily discussed how the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or desired profession.

Thoroughly and effectively discussed how the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or desired profession.

5. Used the MINIMUM of three references, drawing from the list provided. The class text is one of the sources used. References are listed at the end and matching in-text citations are used.

Weight: 10%

No references provided

Does not meet the required number of references; Insufficient on the reference list or in-text citations. .

Does not meet the required number of references; some references poor quality choices or not from the list provided.

Meets minimum number of required references; most references come from the list provided.

Meets at least the minimum number of required references; all references high quality choices. Sources are listed at the end and also cited in the body of the paper. Solid research is evident.

6. Writing and Presentation:

Used good grammar. Presentation shows clarity, reason, and critical thinking with proper writing mechanics. SWS format is used for reference entries, in-text citations, paper layout, and organization. Instructions followed.

Weight: 20%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors.

5-6 errors

3-4 errors

0-2 errors
 
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