Here are the directions for your final paper, which will be worth 20% of your final average. You may view the assignment and submit it through the link in Unit 8.
For your final assignment you will write a 3-4 page thesis paper on one of the topics listed below. Use APA format (see the Course Information link for information on this format), and view the Social Studies paper rubric for grading guidelines in the Course Information section as well.
You may choose one of the following topics:
Pick three major areas to compare/contrast the United States from 1790-1824 to the United States between 1824-1865. You may wish to discuss major law changes, foreign affairs, economical trends and changes, technological developments, reforms, territorial expansion, etc. For each of the three areas, discuss whether you think the changes were in the best interest of the United States.
Your assignment will be to take a clear side on the issue and to support your thesis with clear arguments and evidence (cite your sources, you must use APA format throughout).
For example, if you were to write a paper on whether a liberal or conservative approach to domestic policy would better suit the US currently, your thesis should look something like this: "An ideology of liberalism will better suit our country at this point in time."
You might go on to support your thesis with arguments such as "The failure of big businesses proves that these businesses cannot be trusted with the economic freedom valued by conservatives." Then you will back up your argument with evidence (you might talk about governmental deregulation of business in the late 1980s-1990s and explain how this contributed to economic collapse).