This is a project-based course. That means that you will be working on projects as you move through the lessons, and then turn the projects in when you have covered all the material. For this project, you will be introduced to the following important documents as you progress. Here are some links where you can read each document as needed while you go along:

Declaration of Independence: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp
Articles of Confederation: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/artconf.asp
US Constitution: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp
The Federalist, #10: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed10.asp
The Federalist, #51: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed51.asp
For Project One of Three, as you examine our history and these documents, your job is to understand the following concepts:

1. Popular Sovereignty 7. Democracy

2. Social Contract 8.Civic Engagement

3.Federalism 9.Factions

4.Rule of Law 10.Separation of Powers

5.Republicanism

6. Freedom of Speech

Remember to work on this project as you move along!

You will see the submission page for Project One of Three later on smile

DIRECTIONS:

As you move through the course, keep an eye out for the above concepts and what they mean. For each term above:

A. Find a quotation which you believe illustrates the concept and cite it. You may not be able to find the exact terms in the document; rather, you will be searching for reference to the concept itself.

B. Write an essay relating the five documents. Explain how the needs and goals of each text lead to the ones that followed. Why were they written in the order they were, and what circumstances shaped the developments of these texts over time?

Expect good submissions to be 5 pages (not a requirement). Please contact me with any questions at [email protected] or (708) 695-4688

GRADING RUBRIC:

CATEGORY

A

B

C

D

Quotation Selection

The quotations that I have selected are highly relevant to the terms selected, and illustrate the fundamental importance of the concept in politics. My quotation also integrates specifics which highlight the character of American government specifically.

The quotations that I have selected are highly relevant to the terms selected, illustrating the concept and various related concepts to ground my selection in context.

The quotations that I have selected are relevant to the terms selected, and illustrate the fundamental importance of the concept in politics.

My quotation may relate to the concept at hand tangentially but is not a complete picture and I may have been served better by a different selection.

Argument

My argument as to the shifting interpretation of this concept is very strong, and I make a persuasive argument that illustrates the shifting legal and political character of the US, while being rich in relevant facts.

My argument is strong and I make a persuasive case to explain how and why interpretation of this concept may have changed over time.

My argument is relevant and relies on some important facts but may not be very persuasive or in depth.

My argument relies on irrelevant points from the course and does not construct a satisfying case but may show knowledge of some facts which individually are correct.

Relationship

Between Texts

My project clearly details the relationship between the selected documents in a way which shows understanding of the American narrative that integrates historical and contemporary political facts.

My project outlines the relationship between the selected documents in a way which shows understanding of the American narrative that integrates historical and contemporary political facts.

My project attempts to outline the relationship between the selected documents in a way which shows understanding of the American narrative that integrates historical and contemporary political facts.

My project does not successfully create a narrative binding these historic documents to the present or each other, but may show understanding of them in part.

Writing

My writing is well-structured with few spelling or grammatical errors. This enhances the quality of my work.

My writing is well-structured but may have minor spelling or grammatical errors.

My writing is generally readable but contains errors of spelling and grammar. I may not have proofread before submitting.

My writing is compromised by the number of spelling and grammatical errors. I did not proofread my work.