FALL SEMESTER: Final Exam Schedule
Dec. 17 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 20
Tues Weds Thurs Fri
8:00-10:00 a.m. Final 7B Final 1A Final 5B Final 3A
10:20-12:20 p.m. Final 8B Final 2A Final 6B Final 4A
The Great American Debate
Imagine you are an historical figure who has had a profound effect on America. Your vision, struggles, and triumphs are what make you compelling, and for the serious student of American history and literature, impossible to ignore. You will investigate the life of a significant American, perform research, and write a research paper. Finally, working in pairs, you will participate in a debate on a compelling or controversial issue from the present or past.
The required components are as follows:
1. Conduct in-depth research on your historical figure. Your research must include a minimum of three (3) sources; exemplary research will include more. While Wikipedia may be your first source, please find additional, detailed sources, including the following types: essays; journal articles; magazine or newspaper articles; films or television programs; audio recordings; artistic pieces; websites; or lectures. Research may be done online, but take great care to use only reliable, reputable sources.
Deadlines for selecting historical figure: Monday, December 2
2. Compose a paper providing an overview of your figure's beliefs, viewpoints, and major life achievements, and discussing, more specifically, his or her views on the topic you have selected to debate. Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, and approximately three (3) in length. Also, your paper must conform to MLA standards including parenthetical references and a list of Works Cited. Exceptional papers will be thoughtful, focused, and will display a rich understanding of your figure’s impact on American society.
Deadlines for Summary Research Document: Friday, December 6
Deadlines for rough draft of paper: Thursday, December 12
Deadlines for final draft of paper: Monday, December 16
ABSOLUTELY NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
3. Prepare and present an in-class performance in which you become the historical figure you researched, and conduct a debate on a compelling or controversial issue from the present or past. Depending on the viewpoint of your figure and the specific nature of your topic, your performance may more closely resemble a collegial discussion than an adversarial debate. In any event, your performance, which should demonstrate the unique vision and lasting impact of your figure, must be delivered in character and in costume. Successful performances will require rehearsal and careful scripting. Your performance should be approximately ten (10) (for pairs) to fifteen (15) (for trios) minutes in length. You should also be prepared to respond to questions from the audience.
Deadline for working script: Wednesday, December 18
Sign-ups for debates: Monday, December 16
Based on sign-ups, debates will be held during the FINALS blocks on:
Wednesday, December 18 OR Friday, December 20 (see Final Exam Schedule for specific times)
The required components are as follows:
1. Conduct in-depth research on your historical figure. Your research must include a minimum of three (3) sources; exemplary research will include more. While Wikipedia may be your first source, please find additional, detailed sources, including the following types: essays; journal articles; magazine or newspaper articles; films or television programs; audio recordings; artistic pieces; websites; or lectures. Research may be done online, but take great care to use only reliable, reputable sources.
Deadlines for selecting historical figure: Monday, December 2
2. Compose a paper providing an overview of your figure's beliefs, viewpoints, and major life achievements, and discussing, more specifically, his or her views on the topic you have selected to debate. Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, and approximately three (3) in length. Also, your paper must conform to MLA standards including parenthetical references and a list of Works Cited. Exceptional papers will be thoughtful, focused, and will display a rich understanding of your figure’s impact on American society.
Deadlines for Summary Research Document: Friday, December 6
Deadlines for rough draft of paper: Thursday, December 12
Deadlines for final draft of paper: Monday, December 16
ABSOLUTELY NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
3. Prepare and present an in-class performance in which you become the historical figure you researched, and conduct a debate on a compelling or controversial issue from the present or past. Depending on the viewpoint of your figure and the specific nature of your topic, your performance may more closely resemble a collegial discussion than an adversarial debate. In any event, your performance, which should demonstrate the unique vision and lasting impact of your figure, must be delivered in character and in costume. Successful performances will require rehearsal and careful scripting. Your performance should be approximately ten (10) (for pairs) to fifteen (15) (for trios) minutes in length. You should also be prepared to respond to questions from the audience.
Deadline for working script: Wednesday, December 18
Sign-ups for debates: Monday, December 16
Based on sign-ups, debates will be held during the FINALS blocks on:
Wednesday, December 18 OR Friday, December 20 (see Final Exam Schedule for specific times)
To download the descriptor, clink the link below:
GreatAmericanDebate2019.pdf | |
File Size: | 123 kb |
File Type: |
A Sample List
1. Eugene V. Debs and J. P. Morgan
What is the role of the worker in business and industry?
2. Johnny Cash and Duke Ellington
What is the future of American music?
3. George Wallace and Abraham Lincoln
What is the tension between state and federal government?
4. Abbie Hoffman and Richard Nixon
What does it mean to be a patriot?
5. Phyllis Schlafly and Gloria Steinem
How can women best achieve equality?
6. Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr.
What is the meaning of the phrase “All men are created equal”?
7. Sitting Bull and Andrew Jackson
What are the rights of native peoples?
8. Woody Guthrie and George Gershwin
What is America’s most authentic national anthem?
9. Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell
What is an accurate portrait of America?
10. Jack Kerouac and Dwight D, Eisenhower
What does it mean to be free?
11. Mark Twain and Alice Walker
What are America’s best stories?
12. W. E. B. DuBois and Huey P. Newton
What is the best way for African Americans to achieve equality?
13. Henry David Thoreau and Henry Ford
What are the environmental responsibilities of industry?
14. Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter
What is America’s best course of foreign policy?
15. Jane Addams and Andrew Carnegie
What can be done about America’s poor?
16. Orson Welles and Cecil B. de Mille
What is the future of American cinema?
17. Marilyn Monroe and Joan Crawford
What does it mean to be famous in America?
18. Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs
What is America’s greatest scientific contribution to the world?
19. Robert Kennedy and John Brown
What does it mean to die for your country?
20. Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Darrow
What is the nature of American justice?
21. Helen Keller and Ayn Rand
Which is the stronger American value: individualism or community?
22. Queen Liliuokalani and John Foster Dulles
Is American intervention in foreign lands consistent with our democratic values?
23. William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer
What is the appropriate role of the media in America?
24. Harvey Milk and Anita Bryant
What are true American family values?
1. Eugene V. Debs and J. P. Morgan
What is the role of the worker in business and industry?
2. Johnny Cash and Duke Ellington
What is the future of American music?
3. George Wallace and Abraham Lincoln
What is the tension between state and federal government?
4. Abbie Hoffman and Richard Nixon
What does it mean to be a patriot?
5. Phyllis Schlafly and Gloria Steinem
How can women best achieve equality?
6. Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr.
What is the meaning of the phrase “All men are created equal”?
7. Sitting Bull and Andrew Jackson
What are the rights of native peoples?
8. Woody Guthrie and George Gershwin
What is America’s most authentic national anthem?
9. Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell
What is an accurate portrait of America?
10. Jack Kerouac and Dwight D, Eisenhower
What does it mean to be free?
11. Mark Twain and Alice Walker
What are America’s best stories?
12. W. E. B. DuBois and Huey P. Newton
What is the best way for African Americans to achieve equality?
13. Henry David Thoreau and Henry Ford
What are the environmental responsibilities of industry?
14. Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter
What is America’s best course of foreign policy?
15. Jane Addams and Andrew Carnegie
What can be done about America’s poor?
16. Orson Welles and Cecil B. de Mille
What is the future of American cinema?
17. Marilyn Monroe and Joan Crawford
What does it mean to be famous in America?
18. Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs
What is America’s greatest scientific contribution to the world?
19. Robert Kennedy and John Brown
What does it mean to die for your country?
20. Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Darrow
What is the nature of American justice?
21. Helen Keller and Ayn Rand
Which is the stronger American value: individualism or community?
22. Queen Liliuokalani and John Foster Dulles
Is American intervention in foreign lands consistent with our democratic values?
23. William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer
What is the appropriate role of the media in America?
24. Harvey Milk and Anita Bryant
What are true American family values?
Summary Research
Create a Summary Research Document based on your research.
Friday, December 6
Submit finished docs to Mr. Murdock:
[email protected]
- Use MLA format for each source . VISIT: EasyBib.com
- Include at least 3 sources.
- Include a summary of the important information in each source
- Include 1 concise quotation from each source
- Include 2 important facts from each source.
Friday, December 6
Submit finished docs to Mr. Murdock:
[email protected]
Format for Summary Research Doc
Jane Student
Mr. Murdock
Humanities
6 December 2019
Summary Research on China's Air Pollution
Source #1:
"What Is China Doing to Tackle Its Air Pollution?" BBC News. BBC, 20 Jan. 2016. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.
Beijing's extreme pollution and the 'red alert' are connected to China's addiction to coal burning. Coal burning is the biggest
single source of air pollution in China, and the burning of coal has for the first time in this century declined in 2014 compared to 2013. The article goes on to say that Greenpeace and other organizations are closely monitoring the air quality in China, and there are some small positive indicators for the future.
Quote:
“That's a very significant thing. As a result air quality in the major cities like Beijing and regions in the Yangtze River Delta has seen improvements.”
2 Facts:
Source #2:
(Repeat format above with different source)
Source #3:
(Repeat format above with different source)
Mr. Murdock
Humanities
6 December 2019
Summary Research on China's Air Pollution
Source #1:
"What Is China Doing to Tackle Its Air Pollution?" BBC News. BBC, 20 Jan. 2016. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.
Beijing's extreme pollution and the 'red alert' are connected to China's addiction to coal burning. Coal burning is the biggest
single source of air pollution in China, and the burning of coal has for the first time in this century declined in 2014 compared to 2013. The article goes on to say that Greenpeace and other organizations are closely monitoring the air quality in China, and there are some small positive indicators for the future.
Quote:
“That's a very significant thing. As a result air quality in the major cities like Beijing and regions in the Yangtze River Delta has seen improvements.”
2 Facts:
- For the past 30 years, the main criteria of promotion other than maintaining security, is economic growth.
- Air pollution in China, and burning of coal, has for the first time in this century declined in 2014 compared to 2013.
Source #2:
(Repeat format above with different source)
Source #3:
(Repeat format above with different source)
Suggested Format for Research Paper
Required formatting details:
MLA heading & margins
Double-spaced
Standard font (Arial, Times New Roman)
12-point font
This format should be used for:
MLA heading & margins
Double-spaced
Standard font (Arial, Times New Roman)
12-point font
This format should be used for:
- Rough Draft
- Final Draft
Paragraph 1 (INTRODUCE the topic)
Paragraph 2 (FRAME the issue)
Paragraph 3 (ANALYZE the issue)
Paragraph 4 (CONSIDER the other side of the issue)
Paragraph 5 (CONCLUDE)
Works Cited
Use easybib.com or bibme.org to create a Works Cited page.
- Hook: draw the reader in.
- Main point of your paper: include necessary background info on the issue.
- What your paper is going to be about.
- Primary claims (arguments) you'll be investigating & presenting.
- Important biographical info about character.
- Thesis Statement: explain character's position (3rd person NOT in 1st person).
Paragraph 2 (FRAME the issue)
- The key ideas one must take into account in order to understand this issue and character's perspective.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Why this is worth debating or discussing. Name factors that make this a worthy or interesting issue.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Present strongest claims (arguments) in favor of your character's position.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Conclude paragraph and transition into next.
Paragraph 3 (ANALYZE the issue)
- Who & what is being affected by this issue. Specify the results of these effects.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Present additional claims (strong arguments) in your favor.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Emphasize the most logical, correct, or decent way to view issue & solve the problem.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Conclude paragraph and transition into next.
Paragraph 4 (CONSIDER the other side of the issue)
- Present the strongest counter-claims (arguments) in favor of other character's position.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Address the strongest counter-claims (arguments) against your character's position.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Refute the strongest counter-claims (arguments) against your your character's position.
- Cite evidence.
- Provide commentary on evidence.
- Conclude paragraph and transition into next.
Paragraph 5 (CONCLUDE)
- Restate Thesis: remind readers of your character's position (3rd person NOT in 1st person)
- Summarize what you have written about: main points & ideas.
- Repeat strongest claims (arguments) for your character's position.
- Ending Hook:
- Leave the reader with something to think about.
- "Seal the deal" on your argument.
- Offer interesting biographical info.
Works Cited
Use easybib.com or bibme.org to create a Works Cited page.
MLA: Works Cited and In-text Citation Guides
MLA Guide: Web Sources
Citation Generators
EasyBib Tutorial
|
Using Evidence
MLA Style Tutorials
|
Google Doc Tutorial
Sample Research Papers
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