Mr. Gherman's Webpage
Edward R. Murrow High School American Experience
Mr. Allen Barge, Principal Mr. Gherman Instructor
American Experience Semester 2 Research Project
This semester we will be studying American history from around 1900 to the present time. You will choose your topic from the list below to research and write a three-page research paper.
This semester we will be studying American history from colonial times to the beginning of the 20th century. As well, we will examine the circumstances of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the compromises contained in it, and the implications of those compromises for American history. You will choose your topic from the list below to research and write a three-page research paper.
Most college courses in the social sciences require an original research paper. The ability to write a paper with a strong thesis and supporting evidence is essential to your success. You will write a college-style research paper complete with citations (in-text in the author/page format) and a bibliography that adheres to the Murrow uniform bibliography format. We will review this procedure together in class. Your paper will not simply be narrating a time-period in history. You will be using evidence based on research to construct an argument (your interpretation of history).
|COMMON CORE - Reading-Social Studies (RH) |Common Core - Writing (W) |
|1. Use relevant information and ideas from documents to support analysis |1. Write an argument to support claims |
|2. Use source information/ideas to differentiate and understand political, |2. Strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing and rewriting |
|social and economic trends |3. Conduct a research project |
|3. Identify/analyze arguments/ideas presented in a document |4. Gather information from credible sources and properly cite them |
|4. Compare/contrast various points of view |5. Draw evidence from informational text |
|5. Identify and analyze evidence | |
|npare/contrast primary and secondary information |Common Core-Language (L) |
| |1. Demonstrate appropriate grammar usage in writing |
| |2. Demonstrate appropriate usage of the mechanics of language |
| |3.Use words and phrases accurately for ‘general’ and ‘content’ specific meaning |
General Directions
• Write a minimum three-page research paper (typed, double spaced, one inch margins, Times New Roman, 12 point font) that answers the topic question fully. Your paper must include responses gathered by both independent research and should incorporate subject matter covered in our class as well.
• This is not a partner project. You must complete this essay on your own from start to finish. The hope is that you will have one final practice at writing a complete Social Studies essay before you enter college where many of you will have to write these on a regular basis.
• As this is a college-level research paper, it will be graded as such. The in-text citations you use will need to be formatted correctly and your bibliography will need to be flawless. You will find that learning these skills will prove invaluable as you move forward in your educational careers. You must use the Murrow Bibliography Format (MLA) sheet to complete your bibliography properly.
• FOLLOW THE PROPER FORMAT: Introduction with a thesis, supporting paragraphs with a topic sentences, and make sure that all the evidence supports the thesis directly.
|Introduction |Supporting Paragraphs | Conclusion |
|Attention Grabber |Topic Sentence |Summarize topics |
|Background |DETAILS, SPECIFIC |Restate THESIS |
|THESIS |Relate to THESIS |Truth today/Application |
TOPIC QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH:
1. Were the 1920s a time of economic and social progress or intolerance?
• You must research all the following terms for intolerance: nativism, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in the 1920s, the Scopes Trial, the Palmer Raids and the “Red Scare,” Sacco and Vanzetti, reactions to the changing role of women, the Emergency Quota Act, and the Immigration Act of 1924 For economic/social progress: Henry Ford and the assembly line, Ford Model T, mass culture (radio and movies), consumer culture, advertising, Charles Lindbergh and the “Spirit of St. Louis,” 19th amendment, “flappers,” Margaret Sanger, Harlem Renaissance, The Jazz Age,
• Support a thesis which answers the question whether or not the 1920s were a time of social progress or intolerance.
• Primary document to be obtained from research: Political Cartoon illustrating intolerance or a magazine advertisement from the 1920s illustrating the new “consumer culture.”
2. Did the New Deal represent unnecessary government interference in the economy or much-
needed regulation?
• You must research the human suffering caused by the Great Depression, including all of the following terms: margin-buying of stocks and the 1929 stock market crash (“Black Tuesday”), unemployment, the Dust Bowl, bread lines, “Hoovervilles,” and the “Bonus Army.”
• You must research three programs or agencies of the New Deal and how they attempted to relieve the suffering of Americans, reform or regulate the economy, or help the economy recover from the Depression.
(Some examples of New Deal programs or agencies you should research include the WPA, CCC, FERA, NIRA, HOLC, FSA, AAA, TVA, FDIC, SEC, PWA, REA, SSA (Social Security Act).
• Support a thesis which answers whether you think based on your research that the New Deal represented unnecessary government interference in the economy or a much-needed regulation.
• Primary document to be obtained from research: Speech opposing the New Deal from the 1930s.
3. Did the United States go too far in defending freedom during the Cold War?
• Research the Truman Doctrine, the Berlin Airlift, the Marshall Plan, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Eisenhower Doctrine, the policy of containment and the “Domino Theory.”
• Using either the Korean War (1950-1953), or the Vietnam War (1954-1974) as a case study, research how the United States tried to defend freedom and democracy and contain communist expansion in these locations. Describe the outcomes of these interventions and whether or not they were successful.
• Support a thesis which answers whether or not based on your research that the United States either went too far or not far enough to defend freedom during the Cold War.
• Primary document to be obtained from research: Presidential speech about the spread of communism.
4. Which methods were most successful in securing equality for African Americans?
• Research the following terms: NAACP, Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka Kansas (1954), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955), March on Washington (1963) Montgomery to Selma March (1965), Southern Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Watts Riots (1965) “Black Power” Stokely Carmichael, Black Panther Party, Huey Newton.
• Discuss arguments supporting and opposing the use of violence as a legitimate means of achieving social equality for African Americans.
• Support a thesis which suggests which methods were more effective in securing equality for African Americans.
• Primary document to be obtained from research: Find an original video clip dated from 1954-1970 which highlights either a non-violent social protest, or a violent protest. You must include the url in your bibliography.
5. Was the Election of 1980 a turning point in American Politics?
• Research the following terms: Ronald Reagan, “New Federalism,” Reaganomics/supply-side economics, deregulation, Moral Majority, the religious right, Sandra Day O’Connor, “Peace through Strength,” Strategic Defense Initiative (“Star Wars”), Iran-Contra Affair, end of the Cold War.
• Discuss at least 3 major domestic and/or foreign policy changes the Reagan Administration ushered in that represented a clear break from previous president’s policies.
• Identify and explain one domestic or foreign policy of President George H.W. Bush, William (Bill) Clinton, George W. Bush, or Barack Obama that illustrates the enduring influence of Ronald Reagan and conservatism on American politics and life.
• Support a thesis which answers whether or not based on your research the Election of 1980 was a turning point in American politics.
• Primary document to be obtained from research: a newspaper editorial criticizing or supporting one of Ronald Reagan’s domestic or foreign policies.
Research Requirements:
• Your research paper must be at least 3 pages in length (typed, double spaced, one inch margins, Times New Roman, 12 point font). You will lose points if your paper is less than 3 pages! See the rubric.
• You must have at minimum five sources, including the required primary document. Class handouts, textbooks, encyclopedias, Wikipedia, and non-educational websites such as will not count towards the five sources.
• Your five sources must include the primary document listed in the question you chose. Primary and secondary sources are defined as follows:
Primary Source: photo, speech, diary entry, political advertisement or other documents written/created/spoken at the time the events/arguments you are researching actually occurred.
Secondary Source: a reliable historical perspective on the events/arguments you are researching. They are usually written from the writers’ point of view, with their own interpretation of the time/events/arguments you are researching - so read them with an open mind.
Bibliography/Citations:
• Your research paper must include both a bibliography and citations.
• Your bibliography must follow the Murrow Uniform Bibliography format..
• Your in-text citations must be written in the proper (author/page) MLA format.
• TURNING IN A PROJECT WITHOUT CITATIONS AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY CONSTITUTES PLAGIARISM!
Plagiarism:
Do not use direct words, quotes or ideas without citing in-text the author whose work you are listing in your bibliography.
If you aren’t sure if you are plagiarizing, play it safe and assume you are…and cite it.
PLAGIARIZED PAPERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:
• If the majority of the project is plagiarized, the student will receive a grade of “0” with no opportunity to make up the project.
• If less than half of the project is plagiarized the student will receive “0” points for those portions of the project which have been plagiarized as well as having 25 points deducted from the total grade.
• If only one or two sentences of the project are plagiarized, the student will receive “0” points for those portions of the project which have been plagiarized as well as having10 points deducted from the final grade.
• PLAGIARISM IS NOT WORTH IT! SEE ME FOR HELP IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!
Due Date
• The research paper will be due on Wednesday March 25, 2015.
***PROJECTS HANDED IN LATE WILL HAVE 5 PTS PER CALENDAR DAY DEDUCTED FROM THEM***
THIS RESEARCH PAPER WILL BE EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE RUBRIC PROVIDED. READ IT CAREFULLY! SEE ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS PROJECT WILL BE GRADED PRIOR TO THE FINAL DUE DATE!
Name____________________________________________________________________ Band_____________________________ Research Project Rubric
| |EXCELLENT |GOOD |NEEDS IMPROVEMENT |
|FORMAT |10-9 |8-7 |6-0 |
|and |Has coherent sentences that make many clear|Mostly coherent sentences that make some clear|Vaguely coherent sentences that make few or |
|ORGANIZATION |statements |statements |no clear statements |
| | | | |
|10% |Organization and development are clear: |Organization and development are mostly |Organization and development are not present |
| |Introduction, Supporting paragraphs and a |present: Introduction, Supporting paragraphs |or are vaguely present: Introduction, |
| |conclusion |and a conclusion |Supporting paragraphs and a conclusion |
| | | | |
| |Supporting paragraphs are all unified by a |Supporting paragraphs are mostly unified by a |Supporting paragraphs are not unified by a |
| |clear and direct thesis statement |clear and direct thesis statement |clear and direct thesis statement |
|LANGUAGE |5-4 |3-2 |1-0 |
|and |Proper and formal English language is |Proper and formal English language is mostly |Proper and formal English language not |
|GRAMMAR |evident throughout |evident throughout |throughout the paper |
| | | | |
|5% |Spelling and grammar is appropriate |Spelling and grammar is mostly appropriate |Spelling and grammar is not appropriate |
| | | | |
| |Meaning of each sentence is clear and |Meaning of each sentence is mostly clear and |Meaning of each sentence is consistently |
| |connected to the topic sentence and the |mostly connected to the topic sentence and the|vague and not connected to the topic sentence|
| |thesis |thesis |and/or the thesis |
| | | | |
|TEXTUAL |30-27 |26-23 |22-0 |
|EVIDENCE |Cites effective and relevant evidence from |Cites mostly / vaguely effective and relevant |Cites vaguely effective or ineffective |
|(SOURCES) |five texts (sources) |evidence from five texts (sources) |evidence from fewer than five texts (sources)|
| | | | |
|30% |Analysis of ideas and evidence from texts |Analysis of ideas and evidence from texts are |Analysis of ideas and evidence from texts are|
| |are strong and informative |limited and partly informative |not evident or informative |
| | | | |
| |Texts (sources) are highly reliable and |Texts (sources) are mostly reliable and |Texts (sources) are weak, not reliable and/or|
| |truthful |truthful |truthful |
|IN-TEXT |15-13 |12-10 |9-0 |
|CITATIONS |Has many in-text citations that cite all |Has some in-text citations that cite most of |Has few or no in-text citations. Few or none |
|15% |sources listed in the bibliography in the |the sources in the bibliography in the proper |of the sources listed in the bibliography are|
| |proper format |format/or with small errors |cited and with many errors |
|SUPPORT |30-27 |26-23 |22-0 |
|CLAIMS |Provides a strong claim (thesis) throughout|Provides a mostly present claim (thesis) |Provides a vaguely present or is missing a |
|(THESIS) |the paper |throughout the paper |claim (thesis) in the paper |
| | | | |
| |Evaluates the claim clearly and explicitly |Evaluates the claim in most parts and uses |Evaluates the claim weakly or fails to |
|30% |using many highly relevant arguments, and |some relevant arguments. Is at least 3 pages |provide relevant arguments and is less than 3|
| |is at least 3 pages | |pages |
| | |Provides some strong reasoning, analysis and | |
| |Provides strong reasoning, analysis and |evaluation of the claim (thesis) |Provides very limited or lacks reasoning , |
| |evaluation of the claim (thesis) | |analysis and evaluation of the claim (thesis)|
|Bibliography |You will only receive credit for doing this correctly. Any incorrect or incomplete bibliographies will NOT receive ANY credit and the |
|10% |project will be returned to you. |
TOTAL GRADE:________________
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