Primary Source Paper #1: Knowledge of Human Cultures & the Physical and Natural World

Question/Background:

This paper assignment is designed to have students demonstrate knowledge of human cultures as outlined in SUU Essential Learning Outcome of the same name.

Defining a “culture” broadly, how do certain primary source documents found in the text give you a glimpse into a cultural and/or racial group in American history? For reference a “culture” can be defined as the “customs, beliefs, values, social forms, and material traits of a social group.” Another definition is: “A way of life of a group of people—the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept (generally without thinking about them) and that they pass on from one generation to the next.” Also explore whether the source in question shows the bias or cultural blinders of the person writing it (either a person within this culture or a person observing it from the outside.)

Paper Guidelines:

1. Paper must examine Four Sources

2. Paper must be 1-2 pages, single-spaced, with 1″ margins

3. The sources must be drawn from the first half of the textbook, i.e. from Ch. 1-17 only.

Available Sources:

For this paper students need to utilizing FOUR primary sources found in in the textbook. You can use primary documents (documents written at the time in question) from chapter sections “Documents from Sources from America’s History” (found at the end of each chapter in the Ebook/Learning Curve text for any of the first 17 chapters). You can also use documents found in “America in Global Context” “Thinking Like a Historian,” and “Analyzing Voices” found within each chapter.

How to Cite:

Papers must make clear what sources are being used, including when you are discussing the textbook chapter (s). They MUST use the following citation format. Note that we are using a “short title” format for source titles:

European monarchs used glowing published reports to promote colonization…….. (Hariot, “A Brief and True Report,” Ch.1)

The first great awakening unleashed a torrent of support for new colleges….(Tennent, “Danger of an Unconverted Ministry,” Ch. 4)

The American Revolution unleashed forces promoting equality….(Hall, “Petition for Freedom,” Ch. 6)

[Internal/Professor’s Use Only: Rubric used for ELO:]

4 = Fluent (not used in 1000 level classes)

3 = 33-40 (Prof)

2= 26-32 (Gaining)

1= 19-25 (Competent)

0= 18 below (Absent)