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PAPERS
Two Essay Assignments [45%]
ESSAY 1,
Mid-term paper
ESSAY 2,
End-of-term paper |
Participation Activities
[30%]
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THEME ASSIGNMENTS
[You may work with a
partner for these assignments. Just be sure both names are on the
postings.]
 | Assignment # 1:
As you work on the topics and reading for
Part I, Contexts, make notes on how
the primary sources listed
in that part of the syllabus might be used in
preparing a documentary film on the British Empire before the
Revolution. Pick specific passages
in the sources, giving a useful quote from each one to spotlight important issues.
By Feb. 22 post your choices in the Forum, giving explanations and
summarizing the reasons for your choices. By the 24th be sure you've read what others have
posted and stated your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with what you've read. (Note the
Guide to using primary sources. )
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| Assignment #2: You are competing for a contract to
develop a documentary movie script on the American revolutionary movement. The producer wants the
script to show how the movement grew over ten years and to take a position on
the question whether the
war between colonies and mother country might have been avoided. Choose at least
four of
primary sources for Part II and explain how they might be used in your script in a posting in the Forum
by March 23. Discuss specific passages of the
sources, giving a useful quote from each one to spotlight important issues.
In the following week, respond to some of our colleagues'
contributions. [You may find useful this BBC
site:Was the American Revolution Inevitable? ]
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| Assignment #3:
Comment on these three
different accounts of the Battle of Lexington. How would you use
these primary sources in presenting the first skirmish of the
Revolutionary War? What issues do they raise? Which one do you find most
reliable and why? Least reliable?
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| Assignment #4:
Using the suggested reading for syllabus topic 16, choose two primary sources you
consider most useful for either defending or opposing the ratification of the Constitution
in 1788. Briefly explain your choices in a mock
ratification convention in Caucus.
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| ONLINE DISCUSSION: The
Caucus Forum provides the opportunity to continue class discussions.
Whenever you don't have enough time to raise a question or make a
comment in class, use the Forum. The more you use the weekly Forum
discussions, the better your participation grade. |
| ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO:
Towards the end of the semester you will choose
your best Caucus contributions, samples of your best ideas and writing,
edit and organize the material in a meaningful way, and post the
completed portfolio in the Caucus
portfolio item. |
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