AMERICAN STUDIES Social Responsibilities Unit Assessment

Instructions: The primary focus of this unit is on the idea that the American belief in individualism often conflicts with the belief in sharing social responsibility (i.e., the individual vs. society). Naturally, this will also be the focus of the unit assessment, which consists of two parts.

The first task is to write a history research paper. Your job will be to research and write an in-depth analysis of an historical issue related to social responsibilities, from its roots to the present day. In this paper, you will answer the following questions: What is the issue? Why did it happen? Why did the government/society take responsibility? What are the current concerns and problems involved with the issue? What is the average person’s view of the issue? What are the experts’ views of it? What are some potential solutions for the issue? Finally, after presenting the information, pretend that you have the power of the President and Congress and explain your opinion of what option you would choose to deal with the issue. The paper will need to be 3-4 pages in length (typed, double-spaced, standard 12 pt. font, and standard margins).

In addition to the paper, you will need to conduct two interviews and turn in notes from each interview. One needs to be with someone older (55 years or older) and one with someone in their early 20’s, in both cases getting their views on the topic at hand.

Finally, you must write an annotated bibliography for both your sources and your interviews. There must be a minimum of three sources, and they must be reliable sources. Try to use electronic periodicals from data bases, not people’s personal websites. (Three sources and two interviews = five annotations).

Your teachers will provide you with a list of options from which to choose your topic.

My research topic for this unit: ____________________________________

Your second task for this unit assessment will be to write an in-class essay in which you follow the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. When finished, you will turn in an eloquent, thorough, intelligent, insightful essay exploring the question of what is more important – the needs of the individual (whether in action, principles, or morals) or the needs of society (our social responsibilities)? This question should be the central focus of your essay.

In the course of the essay, you are required to cover three major issues: 1) make an argument for when the needs of the individual would seem to outweigh the need for social responsibility, 2) make an argument for when our need for social responsibility would seem to outweigh the needs of the individual, and 3) discuss and explain your personal leaning on the issue and the reasons for it. That is, on the whole, which side do you generally favor? Items 1 and 2 can be discussed in any order, but item 3 should be presented last.

In your discussion, you are encouraged to illustrate your ideas with reference to specific situations and scenarios that come to your mind. In particular, since you have been studying several literary works and historical events/issues that address this topic, you are required to use a minimum of one strong example from one of the literary works and one strong example from the historical events as part of your discussion for each of items 1 and 2 above. For those of you who are weak in math, that means at least two literary works and two historical events will be covered overall. Note: you must choose different historical events than the one used for your research paper.

The depth of your discussion is important. Those who simply scratch the surface in your discussion should not expect much in the way of your grade. In other words, really do some serious thinking about the complexities of the situations you use as examples, and provide evidence for your reader that your brain was working at full throttle.