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.

• Delve into the rise of false philosophies and their impact on world history. Be sure to discuss secularism, modernism, socialism, communism, evolution, liberation theology, humanism, and post-modernism. What are the basic tenets of each, and who are the primary exponents of these world views? How have these ideas influenced both people and events of the 20^th (and 21^st) centuries? How are some of these views represented in the current “culture wars?” Be sure to include issues we are facing at the moment as well as others from the recent past.

• 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?

• How much should the government involve itself with the economy? Research and report on the growth of social programs starting with FDR's "New Deal," through Johnson's "Great Society," Regan's deregulation and “new federalism,” Clinton's welfare reform, and today's debate over Obama's proposed health care reform and government-funded bailouts. Along with giving the history, evaluate the successes/failures of the various programs (social security, welfare, food stamps, housing subsidies, TARP, 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 (better, FOUR) 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: 1750 words minimum. ALL sources MUST be print sources, STLS Electronic resources, .gov or .edu websites (must be approved). Primary sources must be transcriptions of speeches, letters, interviews, etc.

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).

POINTS OFF FOR LATE MEAN POINTS TAKEN OFF THE FINAL PROJECT!

Feb 12 (Friday) - you have picked three or four topics from which you will choose and handed them in.

Feb 17: (Wednesday): Thesis statement - you have investigated a these topics and picked one that interests you and that you can find enough information on, including three sources (pictures do not count unless they are integral to your report – see me first). Your tentative thesis statement shows what you intend to “prove;” two properly-done source cards are also turned in with your thesis statement. You must include WHY your source is reliable on the back of your card...remember the presentation on god sources in 201 last fall!

March 1 (Monday) - you have all your required bibliography cards done, including acceptable primary sources.
March 9 (Tuesday): 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

March 12 (Friday): 3 sample note cards & 2 bib cards -checked in class (late=LD / LD & -2 points/day afterward)

March 23 (Tuesday): Bibliography cards & 1/3 of note cards (or more!) (total 20 so far) (LD & -2 points/day)

March 29: Second set of note cards (total 40 so far) (LD & -2 points/day)

April 5 (Monday): Last set of note cards (total 60 minimum) (LD & -2 points/day)

April 12: First draft: (MINUS 10 POINTS IF LATE!) This is either a detailed outline with sentences, paragraphs, and parenthetical citations that give the details of what you are writing, showing the organization of your thoughts and what the various sections of your paper will say; or else a fully-written paper, albeit not as “finished” as the rough draft must be. DO NOT GIVE ME ANYTHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROFREAD (not just spell-checked) – OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, PERIOD! Likewise, sloppiness will not be tolerated (this first draft MAY have penciled-in corrections, paragraphs added at the end, etc., but it must be legible, clean, neat-looking, and proofread.

April 26 (Monday): Rough draft due -- including documentation (parenthetical references) in a folder.

May 3 (Monday): Final Copy

• should be assembled in the same order as the first draft. The first draft, corrected by the me, 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