Order Description
It’s an analysis paper, with an element of contrast: You find two historical events that would be relevant to the time periods of history we cover in this class this semester. Then, for each event,
you need to find at least two different historical views (doesn’t matter if they’re primary or secondary sources) and summarize those two opposing views, ending with your take on which side/view
you think has come closer to the truth. You will end the essay explaining if you think your personal views and/or culture have influenced which side you believe for both historical events
You must find at least two opposing expert sources or eye-witness accounts of each of the two events discussed, and analyze (in your own words) how certain events/people/eras/etc. can be distorted
or clouded in regards to history. Conclude each topic by stating which viewpoint you believe is more accurate, and conclude your entire essay by discussing if you believe your own perspectives and
culture have influenced your research and opinions. Use Turabian/Chicago format for your essay. Time frame is from Early civilizations through early middle ages.
Instructions
Another way to explain this is to breakdown what I’m expecting the paper to look like:
- Short intro paragraph explaining how culture could shape different views on historical events.
- 2-3 paragraphs introducing the first historical event you’ve chosen and explaining the TWO opposing views/takes on the even you’ve found. Citing the two opposing views.
- 1 paragraph explaining which side you believe and why.
- 2-3 paragraphs introducing the second historical event you’ve chosen and explaining the TWO opposing views/takes on the even you’ve found.
- 1 paragraph explaining which side you believe and why.
- 1-2 paragraphs explaining how you believe your own culture/viewpoints may affect which sides you’ve chosen to support earlier in the paper and explain the slant your country/culture/ethnicity/gender may produce in the way you view facts/opinion of the world.
Ambiguity in History
The theme is: “Ambiguity in History: Challenging Perspectives.” You will need to find two topics that we have covered in class up to this point (a person, an era, a war, a battle, etc.) or topics that relates to our course subject matter and then investigate that topic analyzing the “ambiguity” in sources/information. To phrase this assignment another way: find two topics that interest you and talk about how your chosen topics can be ambiguous (as in, how facts can be “inconclusive” or even contradictory, or how perspectives on history are shaped by culture.) An example from another class (so that I don’t use any of your ideas) would be explaining possible reasons for how the numbers of casualties from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings are unclear, and analyzing how those events are taught in Western schools compared to Eastern school.
