Your grades are now final. Congrats on the amazing grades you have earned. Overall, I have been impressed about your growth throughout the semester. The final essay exams were particularly impressive. Enjoy your summer and work on your motor skills.
Thanks to all students who turned in their packets today, Wednesday, June 8th.
Moving into our final unit of the year, the we are looking for ways to use our understandings of American history and consider how to think through modern historical problems.
As students who have worked through ten units of historical study, you are well-versed in the thinking and analysis needed to comprehend the best ways for us to proceed. The following series of readings is collected for you to show off all you have learned this semester.
Print and Critically Read seven articles while recognizing the historical implications of the events introduced. If you would like to exchange up to TWO of the required seven articles with your own submission from a reputable source, you may do so as long as you include full bibliographic information. When you are done reading and considering the implications of your readings, you will be ready to express your learning in written form.
Here are the topics:
- The way technology is harming our democracy
- Opinion piece by former Senator and Governor, Republican Dan Evans
- His earlier commentary on bipartisanship
- The changing relationship with Vietnam
- The diminishing of Cold-War animosity – Cuba and the U.S.
- The lifting of sanctions and travel restrictions
- President Obama’s recent visit
- The re-igniting of Cold War conflicts – Russia and the U.S.
- The Russian perspective – The U.S. is to blame
- Russia on the nuclear arms race
- The presidential election
- A virtual dead-heat: Hillary or Donald?
- the Candidates on the issues – Good for review for the final!
- Bill Clinton back in the spotlight – is that a good thing?
- Trump and Truthiness
- A third candidate?
- “Conservatives in Crisis” – from the National Review
- Fox News on Trump’s coverage by the media
- A Data-Driven approach by fivethirtyeight
- Social programs
- Welfare reform during the Clinton Presidency
When you are ready to show off what you now know, you should submit your ideas to ‘My Take’ at the Seattle Times. Who knows, if you are good enough, they may even reprint it. Here are the instructions:
“Got something to say about a topic in the news? We’re looking for personal essays with strong opinions. Send your submission of no more than 400 words to oped@seattletimes.com with the subject line “My Take.”
To complete the assignment, follow the instructions above as you send your 300-400 word personal essay to oped@seattletimes.com and ‘cc Mr. Braman on your submission. Submission must happen by June 7th at Midnight. Bring all your work – the Critical Readings and discussion notes – to class on Wednesday, June 8th for submission.
The Boas & Braman Experience 