Is the argument supported by specific evidence from the source materials?

In this essay, students will be using evidence (both primary and secondary sources) to make a historical argument. Essays will be examined for three key components:

· Does the essay have a clear argument?

· Is the essay organized in a clear manner, with paragraphs that are structured by theme?

· Is the argument supported by specific evidence from the source materials?

 

This essay assignment is designed to help students learn how to use primary sources to write a historical essay. For this essay, you will choose 2 (no more, no less) primary sources that we have read in class. Using these documents, you will answer the following question:

 

Historians have argued that the “central paradox” of American history is the fact that in British North America, freedom and liberty developed amid such “unfreedom.”

Is this an accurate description of British North America before the American Revolution? Explain why or why not.

 

When answering the question, you need to consider the following things:

–Geography (what part of British North America are you writing about?)

–Time/chronology (what time period are you considering?)

–Population (are you writing about slaves? Indentured servants? Women?

Native Americans? Puritans, etc?)

 

Again, the purpose of this essay is to introduce students to the art of using primary source documents to make an argument about the past. As such, the primary documents should be the major source of information that you use. You may use your textbook and lecture notes, but they should be used only sparingly, if at all. You need to convince me that you read and understand the primary source material. No other sources may be used, and the use of any other sources besides those assigned in class (this includes Wikipedia, Dictionary.com, any and all internet sites or other sources) will automatically drop your overall grade by 2 full grades.

 

Essays should be approximately 3 pages in length; 4 pages is probably too long.

Discuss how literature challenges you to think critically about yourself and the world around you.

Diagnostic Assignment on Literary Background

we will be studying and analyzing literature from the ancient world through the early sixteenth century in the forms of poetry, prose, drama, and fiction.

Discuss your background in literary analysis (personal reading, high school, community college, university etc.) and the knowledge you expect to acquire in this course.

Discuss how literature challenges you to think critically about yourself and the world around you.

Discuss your experience with research and documentation of outside sources. Are you confident in your research skills? Explain why or why not.

Describe the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu as it is depicted at various points throughout the epic. Include at least three specific examples from the text in your explanation.

answer one question in 200 to 300 words:

  1. Describe the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu as it is depicted at various points throughout the epic. Include at least three specific examples from the text in your explanation.
  2. How is Gilgamesh described by the narrator at the start of the epic?
  3. The Epic of Gilgamesh does not exactly have a happy ending. Certainly, the hero, Gilgamesh, is not ultimately successful in his quest. Why do you think the epic ends as it does and not in a more positively heroic way?
  4. What role do women play in the epic? Refer to at least two female figures from the text in your response.
  • Include quotes from the text if it adds to your response.
  • You can write in 1st person.
  • Focus on how and why you came to your answer.
  • This is Reader Response. You are the reader. How did you respond to the story?
What should you do next to protect the student’s privacy?

You have just finished his lesson on solving inequalities and handed students a worksheet to complete silently. While the students were working independently, you decided to check your email, not realizing that your computer screen was still being projected to the class.  You open an email from the principal Mrs. Russell, who is asking all teachers to keep an eye out for new student Rebecca Johnsons, who has recently transitioned from male to female. You realized what had occurred once you heard the students giggling at the screen. You quickly unplugged his computer from the projector and told the students to get back to work.  What should you do next to protect the student’s privacy? Include evidence from Model Code of Ethics for Educators and Professional Dispositions of Learners.

Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE) – National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (nasdtec.net)

Describe what outcomes they think will come from that change.

Questions to answer:1. Each group you read about is feeling anxiety or loss over a change. Please

(1a) Identify that change

(1b) Describe what outcomes they think will come from that change.

  • The groups in Chapter 8 are: Mexicans/Tejanos, Texans, and Americans
  • The groups in Chapter 10 are: Irish immigrants, German immigrants, Native-born Americans, and Chinese immigrants

2.  How do these documents illuminate the prevalent xenophobia (aka the intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries) during the Age of Expansion? Provide specific examples, not generalities.

Are the nurses entitled to additional compensation and if so, at what rate?

1. A large hospital required nurses to work 80 hours over two-week (14 day) pay periods. In addition, nurses were also considered to be “on-call” for an additional 20 hours during the pay period. While on call, nurses were required to carry pagers or cell phones and respond to calls within 15 minutes. They were not allowed to consume alcohol. They were not allowed to travel more than 30 minutes away from the hospital or engage in activities (including personal medical visits) that might prevent them from being available within 30 minutes.

1. Are the nurses entitled to additional compensation and if so, at what rate?

2. When on-call, the nurses are required to activate the GPS services on their pagers or cell phones. If the nurse violated the 30-minute rule, the nurse was subject to disciplinary action. Is this legal?

Write a thesis statement which states your unified theme or idea. (For example, God’s wrath, Humanity’s Obedience, Miscommunication, Crazy Gods, etc)

Choose one work:

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The story of Noah and the Flood

The Tower of Babel

The Iliad.

  1. In 500 to 1000 words or two to three typed, double spaced pages respond to the work.
  2. Write a thesis statement which states your unified theme or idea. (For example, God’s wrath, Humanity’s Obedience, Miscommunication, Crazy Gods, etc)
  3. Focus on the details of the story and how they impact your reaction or understanding.
  4. Use quotes to support your ideas.
  5. Can be written in 1st person or 3rd person.
  6. should have multiple paragraphs—an Introduction paragraph, Body paragraphs, a Conclusion paragraph.
Discuss the role that the gods play in the battle for Troy.

Pick one question and answer it in 300 to 400 words.

  • Include at least 1 quote from the text as evidence to support your response.
  • You can write in 1st or 3rd person.
  • Focus on how and why you came to your answer.
  • This is close and detailed analysis. What sections of the story supports your answer?

Questions 1 -3 are from The Iliad and Questions 4 – 6 are from Oedipus.

1. Discuss the role that the gods play in the battle for Troy.

2. Based on the epic, what role do women play in Greek society?

3. What are the purposes of ransom and war-prizes in The Iliad?

4. In the opening scene of the play, Oedipus learns that to cure his city (Thebes) of its troubles, he must avenge the murder of the city’s previous king, Laius. Describe Oedipus as a king and leader at this point in the play. Use specific examples of Oedipus’ actions to support your answer.

5. Discuss the theme of sight versus blindness in the play. Note at least two specific examples.

6. Is there any opportunity for the exercise of free will in the play? Why or why not?