Assignment(approximately 8 pages):
During this semester we are examining a number of themes and related texts in American intellectual history.
For your final essay, you should begin by identifying some cultural artifact that exemplifies a particular theme that runs through at least several of the readings we are considering.
This artifact may be a speech, a poem, an essay, a work of visual art, a novel, a play, a significant place, a piece of music, a newspaper article, a particular performance, a television show or episode, a textbook, a hymnal, a sermon, a building, or something else along those lines.
I strongly encourage you to consider making use of a local historical site/museum (particularly close by in Germantown, or in Center City). In the past students have visited and written about the Johnson House, an exhibit at the Philadelphia History Museum, artwork atthe Art Museum of Philadelphia and the La Salle Art Museum, the Lest We Forget Slavery Museum, Fair Hill Cemetery, and former industrial and manufacturing sites.
The only constraints on your choice are that:
[a]It is an artifact of some recognized historical or cultural significance and
[b]It in some way exemplifies and typifies some specific theme related to our readings
[c]These readings can serve to contextualize and illuminate it
Objectives:
The focus of this essay is to situate your chosen artifact within American intellectual history, making use of at least 3 texts from Canvas, in a way that demonstrates:
[a]An understanding of the texts in question, taken in historical context
[b]An ability to identify an intellectual issue or theme that runs through several texts
[c]Competence in discerning and tracing the development of that theme over time
[d]A grasp of the significance of that theme for American intellectual history
[e]Acapacity to use that historical understanding to interpret your chosen artifact
[f] An adequate interpretation of your chosen artifact as an object in context
You are also free to draw upon additional sources outside of the texts you have read for this class and the artifact you have chosen, but no one isrequired to do any extensive additional research. Be sure to cite any sources that you use. Any widely used citation format is acceptable.
Possible themes:
You are free to choose an artifact that relates toany theme that runs through at least three of the readings we have looked at for this class. If you have any question about whether or not a topic is acceptable, feel free to talk to me about it beforehand.
Possible themes could include:
- American exceptionalism
- social reform&utopianism
- separation of church & state
- the place of voluntary associations
- religious experimentation& experience
- responses to industrialization
- the ideal of a good society
- slavery & racial discrimination
- the role & place of women in society
- suspicions about & resistance to gov’t
- different notions of freedom & rights
- federalism & anti-federalism
- individualism & self-reliance
- pragmatism
- education & citizenship
- scientific& social scientific progress
Of course, these themes are very broad. You’ll have to narrow down the focus a bit, particularly through selecting particular readings to discuss and focusing them toward your chosen artifact.
Proposal & Outline:
Your proposal (dueMonday, 16 November 2015) should be less than one page and include the following:
- A description of the theme you have chosen to write about, suitably narrowed and focused
- A explanation of the artifact you will be writing about
- A list of the texts you will use to discuss and contextualize the artifact (at least 3 from assigned readings)
The outline (due Friday, 20 November) should be around one page long and script out how you plan to organize your material.
The proposal and outline together count toward 10% of the paper grade. You cannot expect above a B+ on the Final Essay if you fail to turn them in.
Rough Draft:
Since this Final Essay is worth 25% of your final grade, I am requiring that everyone show me a rough draft to assure that you have the opportunity to do your best. I will meet with most of you individually to go over the draft. Everyone will receive some written comments on their draft.
A fully complete rough draft is not necessary by the draft due date (Wednesday, 2 December), but you should have a substantially begun draft (at least 5 pages) by that time. Drafts turned in on or before the draft due date will be given fullest consideration, though I will continue to accept and review drafts (including re-submitted ones) until the final due date for the essay.
The rough draft is worth 5% of the Final Essay grade.
Philosophy 303 – American Philosophy – Final Essay Grading Criteria
| Excellent 4.0 | Good 3.0 | Adequate 2.0 | Poor 1.0 | (the term “texts” below should be interpreted broadly enough to include any chosen artifact) |
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Evidence of careful reading(25%):
Writing shows relevant texts were read carefully & accurately. Attention given to authors’ arguments & intentions, emphases & conclusions. Specific evidence drawn from the text to support claims about the text. |
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Careful & clear use of concepts(25%):
Concepts & examplesare handled in a careful manner that clearly communicates their content, purpose, & relevance to textual themes. |
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Critique, synthesis, & insight(25%):
Claims about texts are reasonable & have relevant support. Significant connections drawn within & among texts. Texts are not simply summarized, but genuine insight into context and development is demonstrated. |
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Self-expression & originality(25%):
Writing is well-organized: clear focus, logical order, & smooth flow of ideas. Vague, ambiguous, overly informal language is avoided. Writing is free of grammar & spelling errors. Shows creative & original thought.
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Comments: Overall Grade =
