SPACER
Purpose:
To learn about the people, events, trends, and philosophies of the twentieth century
To prepare for the Regents exams, esp. the essays
To become familiar with working with primary sources
To learn accepted standards of research and reporting
For this project, you will write an original 1000-word thesis on one of the topics below. Six sources are required; sources may include ONLY ONE ENCYCLOPEDIA; at least four will be primary sources, including two magazines or newspapers from the era. (We will go to the library to learn how to utilize their resources.) EXCEPTION: if newspapers are unavailable for your topic, other primary sources may be used by permission only.
Topics (choose one):
Trace the development of the Women's Rights movement from the Seneca Falls Convention through the present. Include suffrage, workplace rights and laws, reproductive issues, women's place in society/work/home, political gains/losses, etc. Evaluate the overall impact, especially from a Biblical perspective: what events and outcomes brought about Biblical justice and righteousness? What events and outcomes had a negative spiritual impact on our culture? Of course, include important people (women and men), events, etc., and their impact on the movement.
Trace the development of the Civil Rights movement from the Rosa Parks bus ride through the present. Include voting rights, employment discrimination, the March on Washington, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the voting Rights Act of 1965, Equal Opportunity laws, political gains/losses, etc. Evaluate the overall impact, especially from a Biblical perspective: what events and outcomes brought about Biblical justice and righteousness? What events and outcomes had a negative spiritual impact on our culture? Of course, include important people, events, etc., and their impact on the movement. How successful has the movement been?
The 1960s was a turbulent decade for America as the "Baby Boomers" came of age. Discuss the important movements, events, and people of the period. Be sure to include the Civil Rights Movement; campus unrest; marches, demonstrations, and riots; the youth culture. What were the both immediate AND underlying causes of all this commotion? Several events of the period to mention include the Vietnam War, the "space race," assassinations, and Johnson's "Great Society." You may need to include the early 1970s -- that's OK. This is a broad topic, so you will need to scan the surface without getting bogged down in too many details. Evaluate the impact of the decade from a Biblical perspective.
Starting with the Scopes Monkey Trial, examine the battle over the teaching of evolution, creation, and Intelligent Design. Cover the trial, its immediate outcome and long-term results, looking at it from both a Biblical and Constitutional point of view. What has happened since then? What has gone on concerning school Science textbook publishers? Find other Supreme Court cases dealing with the teaching evolution and creation. Consider: should the schools teach one or the other, both, or neither? What are the ramifications of teaching one religion's point of view?
Research and report on the growth of social programs starting with FDR's "New Deal," through Johnson's "Great Society," Clinton's welfare reform, and today's debate over nationalized health care. Along with giving the history, evaluate the successes/failures of the various programs (social security, welfare, food stamps, housing subsidies, etc.). In summary, address the question: how much should a government provide for its citizens? Is it fair for a government to redistribute its citizens' wealth?
Investigate the Cold War beginning with the Berlin Airlift, through the breakup of the USSR. Who were the major players (countries and individuals)? What wars and near-wars took place? Include Civil Defense, bomb shelters, the space race, McCarthy, the Cuban Missile Crisis, etc. How the USSR finally fall? Comment on the present situation concerning Russia, China, Cuba, etc. Was the response of the US to the Communist threat appropriate? Where do you think we did well and where did we fall short? Explain your answer based on your understanding of the Scriptures.
GUIDELINES: This paper will be done according to ECA's Research Paper Handbook. At least eight sources will be consulted, three of which must be primary sources, e.g., newspaper or magazine articles from the time period. Photographs do not count as primary sources unless they substantially contribute to your thesis (argument)--ask me!! Length: 1500 words minimum.
Deadlines – if you are able to, you will be smart to work ahead. If you reach a deadline early, see me before continuing (unless you are in the middle of vacation – then keep going and check with me as soon as you return).
March 31: Thesis statement - you have chosen your topic and constructed what you intend to “prove”
April 7: Preliminary outline & Bibliography (main topics) – you have scoped out your topic enough to understand the highlights of your topic and can put together a working outline, either chronological or topical
April 10: 5 sample note cards & 1 bibliography card to be checked in class
April 21: Bibliography cards & 1/3 of note cards (or more!) (total 20 so far)
May 5: Second set of note cards (total 40 so far)
May 15: Last set of note cards (total 60 minimum)
May 27: Rough draft due -- including documentation (parenthetical references) in a folder.
Draft is corrected, and signed by parents and includes
Outlines (preliminary, working, and expanded)
Note cards in a rubber band
Bibliography cards and written-out bibliography
(Put in left side of a pocket folder.)
In right side is the paper in correct order:
Title page (serves as the cover)
Outline
Text
Works Cited
Works Consulted
June 6: Final Copy
should be assembled in the same order as the first draft. The first draft, corrected by the teacher, should be submitted in a pocket folder along with the final draft.
SCORING:
points area
FIRST DRAFT:
5 proofread, accurate, neat
5 completeness
FINISHED PAPER:
8 grammar/punctuation, spelling
8 overall neatness & following format
1 Title Page
3 Thesis Statement
4 Outline
8 primary sources
8 other sources
8 Works Cited (includes formatting & completeness)
2 Works Consulted
40 Content of report ( % X 40 )
“The report should be clear, comprehensive, and convincing. It should evidence thorough research and clarity of thought, coming to a compelling conclusion by presenting an informed opinion based on well-documented facts.”
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100 POINTS TOTAL