History is not all black and white. This assignment thus
asks you to think critically about the materials we’ve discussed throughout the
semester and forge a case for how America’s tale – otherwise known as the
“master narrative” – can be told from multiple perspectives, by multiple
players, and result in multiple storylines.
Therefore, your final project is as follows:
Construct an essay describing how your understanding of
Modern American History has changed after taking this course. Using evidence
from your textbook (America), the
primary source reader (For the Record),
and class lecture notes, discuss at least five (5) examples of how the United
States’ master narrative (from Reconstruction to the present day) is not as
“one-sided” as you have previously been led to believe. In sum, detail as many
different viewpoints as you can on the events/topics you choose to investigate.
Finally, at the end of your essay, offer up your own opinion as to whether or
not progress/modernity is always the best solution to society’s ills. Some
questions to consider might include: In what ways are we better off now than we
were at the end of the Civil War, and in what ways are we the same (or worse)?
Have technological advancements helped improve the lives of ALL Americans or
simply a select few? And is there such a thing as too much modernity – meaning
can we institute so many advancements that we actually start hurting society
instead of improving it?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. Which
examples to use, which perspectives to address, and which side(s) to take are
entirely up to you! The only requirements are that this paper be typed,
double-spaced, and written in 12-point font to total between 7 and 8 pages
worth of text. Below is a possible breakdown of your paper’s layout:
Introduction = ½ page
5 examples = 5 pages
Opinion on modernity = 2 pages
Conclusion = ½ page.
Total = 8 pages
Of course this is only a suggestion. Please feel free to
structure your essays in the style that works best for you. Just keep in mind
that you must parenthetically cite the
textbook, primary source reader, and our lectures to be awarded full credit for
each of your 5 examples (e.g. author’s name(s), page #). You must also provide at least
two perspectives for each point (think of this like one of our debates
where you are providing both sides of the argument). There is no limit on how
many sides you can take, however, so feel free to include as many different
perspectives as you can!
