What ideas, information, and historical insights have you gained from the class thus far?

You are going to be asked to explain what you have learned during this summer session in this class.
The self-assessment essay is your opportunity to think about all of the information you have learned in the class and consider how it ties together. What ideas, information, and historical insights have you gained from the class thus far? If you had to sit down at a holiday dinner with family and explain what you have learned from the class, what would you tell them? Would you speak about specific people? Specific events? A particular time period? How could you tie these all together? Have you learned something that has helped you think differently about other issues, places, etc? If so, why and how? How does it all tie together?
As you can see from the questions above, I am asking you to write about both the larger ideas you have encountered as well as specific examples to support your discussion. I want you to think about how each individual class fits into a bigger picture of the interconnections between African and U.S. history.
How to approach this essay
What are the bigger themes/issues that have come up between the readings, lectures, and discussions? Where do these themes/issues cross regionally in the history of the continent?
What are some of the specific themes/issues related to only U.S. & African interactions (as opposed to other western countries)?
Look across your notes from lectures, podcasts, films, hypothesis documents, discussions and readings from each week and see what patterns you find.
How the essays will be graded
I will consider how your essay approaches big picture ideas/themes/issues in the history of Africa and the U.S.. Do you offer a discussion of an idea/theme(s) that ties together ideas comparatively or across time?
I will look for you to use specific examples to support your analysis. How do these examples illustrate the arguments you are making in regard to course themes?
I will expect to see an argument made in your essay and analysis of sources, ideas, readings, etc. Why did you find particular readings/examples helpful to understanding the points/ideas you are talking about in your essay?
I will look at your analysis, creativity, and the preparation put into thinking about the interconnections between U.S. and African history and writing the essay. Why do you think this topic is the most important you have encountered thus far in class?
Essay Hints
* I will not grade on spelling. If you don’t know how to spell a word, do your best to phonetically spell it out.
* I do expect to see a sense of chronology of events. For example the founding of Liberia happens before Marcus Garvey.
* I do expect to see a knowledge of correct regional placement of examples used in the essay.
* I do expect to see factually correct information in the essays.
* The difference between an opinion and an argument is the argument is based on evidence. Giving opinions without evidence does not constitute an argument.

Last Completed Projects