History

Design a new American History survey course.Write a course description explaining what you hope to cover and what you hope the class will learn from this course.What key people, places and events would you highlight?  Why would you highlight these?  What books and/or other readings would you use when developing lectures and discussions?  What books and/or other sources would you have the class read?  Defend and explain these choices. 

Discuss the cultural, geographic, and political reasons for the rise of the polis. What were the major differences in the way Athenian and Spartan society was organized? Did such differences make war between these states inevitable? What were the causes, course, and consequences of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) on Greek society? Briefly explain how the events of the 4th Century B.C.E. Greek world allow the Kingdom of Makedonia to gain influence and power over Greece. If you have time and space, and did not answer this in your Discussion (one paragraph): Was Alexander the Great a visionary of globalization or a brutal, bloody conqueror?

You are a member of the Constitutional Congress that met in Philadelphia in 1787. As a first person account you are to consider your experience at this monumental event and address the following issues:What was your experience in the process of ratifying the Constitution?Why was a new Constitution needed in lieu of the Articles of Confederation?What do you think the document suggests about the assumptions of the period vested in Enlightenment thought?What compromises and arguments were put forth in constructing the Constitution?Who were the main architects of the document and ultimately what were their contributions to the success of the Constitution?What would you have suggested be added or taken out of the Constitution if you were at the Convention?A good paper will include reference to:The Articles of ConfederationShays RebellionJames Madison and other leaders of the ConventionVirginia PlanNew Jersey PlanChecks and BalancesFederalismThree Fifths Clause and the issue of slaveryAnti-Federalist argument vs. FederalistsFederalists PapersBill of RightsA well-crafted essay will exhibit critical analysis, based on evidence. Much of the information is coming from the text, chapters 6 and 7, however, you should use additional outside sources. (NOT WIKIPEDIA  OR ANY ENCYCLOPEDIAS), but must cite. Original sources such as the Constitution or the Bill of Rights must obviously be utilized; others can be found at USConstitution.net, Library of Congress, Documents from the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, US National Archives and the National Constitution Center. I also encourage you to utilize diaries or commentary on the events that took place at the Constitutional Convention, as they would add originality and flair, giving your paper not only supporting evidence, but historical texture.The paper should be a minimum of 4 pages and maximum of 6, plus a Works Cited Page. Double space, 1 inch margins and a 12 inch font are required. You can use MLA or Chicago in terms of your format and citations, whichever you are most comfortable with. Please feel free to consult with me if you have questions or need further clarity on the assignment. Good luck, I look forward to reading your paper.

“We Israelis face a Herculean mission. To live here we will have to redefine a nation and divide a land and come up with a new Jewish Israeli narrative (417).”He continues to articulate on the Jewish Israeli narrative in his concluding paragraph:“I walk into the very same bar I walked into some weeks ago. Once again I sit by the bar and sip my single malt. I see the ancient port through the windows, and I watch people sitting in restaurants and walking into galleries and wandering about the pier. Bottom line, I think, Zionism was about regenerating Jewish vitality. The Israel tale is the tale of vitality against all odds. So the duality is mind-boggling. We are the most prosaic and prickly people one can imagine. We cannot stand puritanism or sentimentality. We do not trust high words or lofty concepts. And yet we take part daily in a phenomenal historical vision. We participate in an event far greater than ourselves. We are a ragtag cast in an epic motion picture whose plot we do not understand and cannot grasp. The script writer went mad. The director ran away. The producer went bankrupt. But we are still here, on this biblical set. The camera is still rolling. And as the camera pans out and pulls up, it sees us converging on this shore and clinging to this shore and living on this shore. Come what may (419).”In thinking on the issues of religion, secularity, culture, and conflict that are discussed in this chapter, fully analyze at least two aspects through which Israel can be redefined.  In turn, what are two of the most important ways in which Shavit discusses Israeli and Jewish identity?  Think of this through two manners which you found to be the most new or different.

Approx. 1,000-wordsWrite a brief summary of the Unit, including the following:• The Great Migration, US• Johannesburg migration, case study, music• Chinese migration, floating population, hukou system• Comparison between the 3 above cases• Underemployment• Service jobs/economy• Precariat• Double movement• Labor movement: European, US, relation to cities• Creative class, critique of• Mobility, micromobility, traffic, trotro• Crime: root causes, relation to inequality, labor, and migration• Attach completed 13th viewing guideMust include 1 citation from each:• Wilkerson• Zhang• Erlmann• Elliot• Webster and Bhowmik• Ewers• Wainwright• HartInclude bibliographyExtra CreditWatch the film: Amandla: A Revolution in Four-Part HarmonyWrite a 1000-word essay, summarizing and reflecting on the film; what role did cities and urban space play in apartheid and the anti-apartheid movement? Include discussion of how urban music and migration played into these experiences. (100 points max)

From the book “George Washington and the American Military Tradition”. Write an essay that captures Don Higginbotham’s arguments. At the time of his appointment, how well prepared was Washington to serve as the Continental commander? What in his pre-Revolutionary War career suggested that he was either a good or bad choice? Once he assumed command, how well did he perform, and does he deserve to be considered an important military figure in American history?

Explain what Myths and Legends are. Explain why were Myths and legends important during the medieval era. State what the most popular Myths and legends during the medieval era. Explain how were Myths and legends created in the medieval era. Answer if Norse mythology was believed in the medieval era.

Part 1: Short answers. Please write a one-paragraph explanation for each 3 key terms or people listed below (total 3 paragraph). Your answers should define and discuss the key terms or people in the historical context of the topics we have covered in this course. Points are awarded based on the quality of your short answer, give a comprehensive response written clearly with appropriate source citations1. “Co-operative plan”2. Andrew Carnegie3. Chinese Exclusion ActPart 2: Essay. Please answer the questions below in essay format.Points are awarded based on the quality of your essay. Your essay should be formatted with an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion. The essay should be written clearly with appropriate source citations. (approximately 600 – 1000 words).1. Based on your reading of Elliott Gorn, Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in America, chapter 7, why did coal miners in West Virginia want to join the United Mine Workers in 1912? What roles did Mother Jones play in organizing the miners and their families? How did Mother Jones’s speeches give “working people faith in themselves” (page 176)? How successful was the miners’ strike?

Answer both questions using the materials I provided. Take direct quotes from the exceprt, and use them in your essay. Make sure you cite properly using quotations.1. How did the Supreme Court resolve the dispute between the exercise of direct action efforts by Civil Rights Activists and efforts by state governments to enforce breach of the peace statutes?  (Mention at least one case in your response.)2. Describe the relationship between Cooper v. Aaron related and Brown v. Board of Education.

Please answer each of the following questions in approximately 250 words.  Be specific and support your answers with class readings and materials for all questions.  Please upload your google doc link here for comments and feedback. (Be sure to share the link with me). 1. What are invented traditions? Why and how did they flourish during colonization?2. What are some of the common historical misrepresentations of Africa/Africans we have discussed in class?  3. Why have anthropologists and historians critiqued the concept of tribe in Africa? How does Vail explain the massive concern over tribe and ethnicity in the 50’s and 60’s? What is tribalism and how might it inform contemporary politics on the continent? (Support this last question by looking up a contemporary news article from the continent- please cite the article in your response).4. What is Kanju? Why is it important? 5. Describe two African responses (either intellectual or practical) to colonization or the legacy of colonialism discussed in class.