Social Sciences Knowledge Assessment
Choose ONE primary source from the provided list of options. Read through the source and any contextual information that is provided about the source. After you have carefully read the source write a short essay in which you address the following questions:
What is the source’s central thesis? How does the author argue for this thesis?
What is the context of the time period in which this piece was written?
What potential biases might the author have and why?
How does this source connect with themes or ideas you have learned in your history or political science courses at HCC? Be specific and give examples.
The goal of this assessment is to demonstrate comprehension, historical connections, and the use of proper citations. Essays must be typed, a minimum of 600 words, and use proper citation.
Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Knowledge and understanding of source thesis as well as bias (6a, 6d)
Ability to place the source in historical context & provide specific evidence (6b, 6e)
Critical analysis of the source by drawing comparisons to themes learned in social science courses (6a, 6b, 6c)
Use of frequent and direct references to the source (6d).
Use of proper citation (6e)
Sources:
Political Science Resources
Topic: Revolutionary War/Founding of America
Source: Declaration of IndependenceLinks to an external site.
Description: a philosophical and political document.
Topic: Civil Rights
Source: Dr. MLK’s “I Have a Dream” SpeechLinks to an external site.
Description: Speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.
Topic: Military authority/ Checks and balances.
Source: War Powers ResolutionLinks to an external site.
Description: Law passed by Congress in 1973 to redefine the balance of military power between Congress and President.
Topic: Political polarization and identity
Source: Barack Obama’s 2004 DNC Keynote SpeechLinks to an external site.
Description: Speech given by then Illinois State legislator Barack Obama outlining a vision of America.
World History Resources
Topic: Gender & Family in 14th century France
Source: The Goodman of Paris, 1392/4Links to an external site.
Description: A “how-to” guide for marriage in the 14th century. It gives a good historical example of gender roles, family life, business, and food.
Topic: Industrial Revolution
Sources:
Modern History Sourcebook: Observations on the Loss of Woollen Spinning, 1794Links to an external site.
Modern History Sourcebook: Leeds Woollen Workers Petition, 1786Links to an external site.
Modern History Sourcebook: Letter from Leeds Cloth Merchants, 1791Links to an external site.
Description: The Industrial Revolution was a time of massive social change. Consider the three different sources provided on the Industrial Revolution that were given by workers, factory owners, and the English government.
American History Resources:
Topic: Racism after the Civil War
Source: Frederick Douglass’ speech The Race ProblemLinks to an external site.
Description: Speech by Frederick Douglass on the “Race Problem” in America in 1890. He focuses on the failure of Reconstruction and how positive change can be gained.
Topic: Discrimination against Chinese Immigrants
Source: Report on the Select Committee on ImmigrationLinks to an external site.
Description: Report of the Select Committee on Immigration, or Chinese Immigration Act of 1892.
Topic: Anti-Communism in the U.S. during the 1920s
Source: Becoming Modern: American in the 1920s – “Reds” & “Americans”Links to an external site.
Description: Various commentaries on the Red Scare (Anti-Communist backlash)
Topic: Segregation in the U.S. 1940s
Source: Letters of Protest to Lansburgh’s Department StoreLinks to an external site.
Description: Letter protesting segregation in department stores
Topic: Black voter disenfranchisement in 1960s era Mississippi
Source: Fannie Lou Hamer: Testimony at the Democratic National Convention, 1964Links to an external site.
Description: Testimony of voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer at the Democratic National Convention in 1964.
Topic: Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1960s
Source: “All Our Problems Stem from the Same Sex Based Myths”Links to an external site.: Gloria Steinem Delineates American Gender Myths during ERA Hearings
Description: Gloria Steinem advocates for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment before Congress in 1970.
Topic: Gay Rights Movement of the 1960s
Source: The Gay ManifestoLinks to an external site., by Carl Wittman (1969)
Description: One of the most influential writings of the Gay Liberation Movement and became an important guide to activism within the gay rights movement.
