Homework: Global Perspective Article
Purpose: Construct an evidence-based argumentative history paper
Skills:
1) Produce argumentative, thesis-driven, and evidence-based academic papers.
2) Construct an evidence-based argument that integrates multiple perspectives related to a topic in the history of South Africa. (Global Perspective)
Knowledge:
1) Assess key events, central themes, and questions pertaining to South African history.
Task:
Write a minimum 500-word article you will construct an evidence-based argument that integrates multiple perspectives on a topic related to your Travel Guidebook. (Global Perspective)
This is a perspective article. The primary purpose of this perspective essay is to accurately and fairly present the views of multiple people or groups and provide adequate support for those views using concrete examples. Note: you are not being asked to "choose a side" here. The goal is to understand the motivations, thoughts, and actions of two or more groups or people.
Let's use the same Soweto / Apartheid topic example from the last article homework. For a Travel Guide topic "Taking a Stand in Soweto" you would want to use this article homework to write a paper that examines multiple perspectives on an issue related to apartheid in Soweto. One way of doing this would be to choose a primary source that provoked reactions from multiple groups. In this example, one might choose the Afrikaans Medium Decree passed in 1974 that decreed the use of Afrikaans and English in all schools. Such an article would then analyze the different perspectives on this decree by schoolchildren, public figures, and government officials.
Some other ways to approach this homework can be:
1) Choosing an event to analyze from multiple perspectives
2) Analyze different perspectives on a custom or practice.
3) Analyze different approaches to solving a problem.
Many of you have received specific recommendations on how to tailor your topic to this homework written in your topic proposal comments. I strongly recommend reviewing them prior to beginning this paper, and making an appointment to discuss further if necessary.
Make sure your paper begins with an introduction, continues with body paragraphs, and ends with a brief conclusion. Your introduction must feature a straightforward thesis statement that identifies your historical argument. The thesis for this paper will depend on how you approach the topic, but the thesis should in all cases be a debatable claim with logical reasons of support. Your body paragraphs need to begin with topic sentences that establish a connection to your argument. Each body paragraph must contain support from reliable and/or scholarly sources that are properly cited using footnotes.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.