HIS324

Profiles in American History--The Life & Times of Political Assassins

INSTRUCTOR: Christine Miller
517-484-2600
lacmiller@davenport.edu
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course the students, working individually and in groups, through the study of notable people from some era or grouping in American history, put together a picture of that time or classification. Through reading, analysis, research, and discussion, students will be able to arrive at an in depth understanding of the past that will contribute to their participation in the "American dream" today. In learning to organize and write the lessons of history, students arrive at a clearer understanding of their own identities; in addition, the study of individual accomplishments teaches valuable lessons about success and failure, which is perhaps the true purpose to the study of history.

TEXTS:
Hanchett, The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies
A book of your choice on Lee Harvey Oswald/he Kennedy assassination.  Some are on reserve in the library; books can also be obtained from a public library, used bookstore, or online bookstore.  Instructor approval required.

CLASS NOTES: These class notes supplement your readings.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the course the student should be able to:

1. Discuss the time period that is being studied.

2. Know how to access to significant facts about each individual.

3. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each individual.

4. Through the study of the period, assess the contribution of each individual to the time in which he or she lived.

5. Realize and communicate the different perspective and goals that each person brought to his or her time period.

6. Apply the lessons of the past to the present and future.

7. Effectively communicate in the classroom and apply effective listening and speaking skills.

8. Meet deadlines and be accountable to others within the group.
 
 

Group Emphasis

Students will be divided into groups to research and complete a project that has both individual and group components.  Groups will be self-selected based on individual interest and affiliation.
 
 
 

1    Booth

2  Oswald

3  Compare/Contrast Booth and Oswald

In these groups you will undertake the study of the life and times of a presidential  assassin in depth, focusing on the event itself, making an attempt to understand both the man and the motivation.  The groups themselves will take charge of the direction of the project, assigning topics and deciding on presentation format.

EACH INDIVIDUAL will be responsible for:
 

• A BIBLIOGRAPHY of 30 related sources (MLA) format.  Using word processing capabilities, the GROUP'S individual bibliographies will be combined into one larger bibliography, with duplicates eliminated.

• A PAPER of 5-7 pages, citing at least 5 sources, on one extremely narrow aspect of the issue. The paper will include in-text references and a works cited page, according to MLA format.  All papers in each group will be placed together in Group Project (below).

The GROUP will be responsible for:

• A GROUP BIBLIOGRAPHY combining individual bibliographies.

• A GROUP PROJECT made up of all the group’s papers,  put together in a binder with an Table of Contents, Introduction, Conclusion, and Bibliography.  Time will be given in class to work on this project.  It will be graded on Appearance, Unity, and Theme.

• A PANEL DISCUSSION will be presented during the final exam period.  Each group will present its Group Project, with each individual explaining what was discovered in the course of individual research.

                    Quiz :      A quiz  will be given  on Week 3 over the assassins and would be assassins
                    (who killed or attempted to kill whom).

                   Study Questions:     will be given from each of the assigned books for the class.  As there are
                    10 study sheets, a convenient way to hand them in--for both you and me--
                    would be one per week.  Follow the link for the study questions.

                   Book Review:  will be prepared from the Oswald/Kennedy selection.  Follow the link for the form
                    you  are to use.

Assassin Profile:  Each person will pick one assassin and, using web and/or other sources, briefly tell the class about this person (5 minutes).  List will be circulated.

Final Exam:    The final exam will consist of a short essay  question (1 to 2 pages) showing how the criteria  we have discussed in connection with American assassins applies to Hinckley. (Follow the link for reprints of articles.) Draw some conclusions.  Cite all sources according to MLA format.

SUCCESS SYSTEM® SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
 
 

GO ON!!