Overview
Choose one of the readings or other materials from the course so far. The issues we are studying are inherently controversial. Different observers, including different historians and other social scientists, have different views of the same events. Each author is like a lawyer arguing before a court, trying to muster the best arguments they can for their point of view. Think of yourself as being like a judge or juror, sitting in judgment of the case that the author is trying to make.
First, try to understand the case they author is trying to make:
- What are the author’s values (ideas about what is fair, right, good, etc.)?
- What are the author’s key assumptions (factual ideas, explicit or implicit, that the author bases their argument on but does not attempt to prove)?
- Are these assumptions associated with a particular theoretical or political perspective?
- What are the key facts (evidence) the author cites to support their view?
Second, analyze whether the author’s case is convincing to you:
- Do you find the author’s values appealing? Do you have different views about what is fair, right, good, etc.?
- Are the author’s assumptions valid for the subject at hand?
- Are the author’s factual claims accurate?
- Do the facts they cite really support the conclusions the author claims they do?
While this paper will focus on the point of view of a particular author (or authors), you will need to make use not just of one reading, but also additional readings and lectures.
The key idea here is not just to summarize what the author has said, but to describe the author’s point of view (which requires some summary) and give your own critical analysis on it.
Papers should be about 1250 words, and should be typed and double-spaced. The paper should include your name, the title of the course, and the date in the upper left corner of the first page. The paper should have a descriptive title at the top of the first page. There is no need for a separate title page.
The course materials are attached.