History Changes Essay History Changes Essay – What It Is For? How Can It Help You and Your Grade? What You Read to Prepare for It?

 

Click on the links to answer these questions:

§         Is it true that I can earn up to 10 points extra credit for this 10-point assignment?

§         How is this essay graded?

§         Can I use my textbook when I write this?

§         What is the maximum length?

§         Will I have to know this content after I finish this assignment?

§         What are the possible questions?

§         When will I know which question I have to answer and do I have to write on that one?

§         Where can I see a table that compares the content so I can see changes over time?

§         Can I print or download that table, including the one for self-testing, so I do not have to look at it online?

§         If I have the 4th edition paperback, how can I tell what I have to read for each column in the table?

§         If I have the 3rd edition paperback (or an earlier book), how can I tell what I have to read for each column in the table?

§         When I read, nothing seems to “stick.” Any tips?

§         How Can I Work to Prevent the Problems Identified by the Evidence Checklist/Rubric?

What Does the Syllabus Say about the History Changes Essay and Grading?

 

History Changes Essay, a 10-point assignment: You know the questions ahead and you may use your textbook in class. Maximum length: You receive a ½ sheet of Xerox paper with one question from the list of possible questions. You must write within that page and only on the question you received.

 

After we discuss how this assignment works and some of its content in class, you can click on the History Changes Essay at the Course Website. You can see not only the list of all possible questions but also aids to help you. You see a table comparing the content to help you see changes over time (also provided as a handout) and you know the specific parts of the textbook for each column in the table.

 

The History Changes Essay is meant to introduce you to several things:

§         Content that is part of Unit 1 and essential to understanding the remaining Units in the course and our history as a whole

§         Content as a way to examine how and why events change over time—something key to being accurate in writing about history and to noticing how human beings’ actions or lack of action can alter their futures.

§         How grading works in this course and what is frequently expected in courses and jobs that require evidence

§         How you work with evidence, with reading, and with writing
Because some students have an “aha moment” when they do this essay and follow the feedback instructions, this is the assignment where you can receive up to 10 extra points (100% extra credit) for following the instructions with the feedback I provide on your History Changes Essay. This means full credit for this assignment no matter what your initial grade.

 

For what the syllabus says about grading, see the Overview of Written Assignments which covers the goal, the way your instructor grades, and the Evidence Checklist/Rubric.

Will You Have to Know This Content After the History Changes Essay?

This is essential content for the rest of the course and many courses (and decisions in your personal life) afterward. At a minimum, you will need to know this content for more than this assignment in this course: These same questions are also one of the possible questions for the essay part of Unit 1’s Exam.

What Are the Possible Questions for the History Changes Essay?

You must be prepared to write on any of these using the specific required pages of our textbook as your source:

§         what significant events occurred regarding blacks in the South in the period from 1865-1867

§         what significant events occurred regarding blacks in the South in the period from 1867-1872

§         what significant events occurred regarding blacks in the South in the period from 1872-1877

§         what significant events occurred regarding blacks in the South in the period from 1877-1887

§         what significant events occurred regarding blacks in the South in the period from 1887-1893

 

What Happens to Blacks in the South and What Does Government (National and the Southern States) Do?

This shows my answers for what the textbook says happened. Compare yours with mine—not for the exact words, but for the meaning. If you do not understand, just ask. If the table that is below does not display, click here to see it as a separate link.

If You Are Using the 4th Edition Paperback - What You Have to Read for Each Column

The columns below are the same columns you see above. This time they contain the Chapter # and the name of the heading of the section you read within that chapter

Trait

1865-1867  

1867-1872

1872-1877

1877-1887

1887-1893

1893-1901

What You Must Read

> 

^

For the content for this column, you read:

Pages 397-399, 403-407 in Chapters 15 & 16. Look for these headings:

·          “Emancipation in the South”

·          “Black Mobilization”

·          “Andrew Johnson”

·          “Johnson and the Radicals”

·          “The Reconstruction Act of 1867”

·          “Reconstruction Begins” (stops at “Despite these…”)

 

^

For the content for this column, you read:

Pages 409, 411-413, 420-421, 424 in Chapter 16. Look for these headings:

·          “The Fifteenth Amendment”

·          “The Rise of the Klan”

·          “Breaking the Power of the Klan”

·          “Grant and the 1872 Election”

·          “The 1872 Election”

 

PLUS some elections from 1868 are in Chapter 16 in “The Stigma of Corruption.”

^

For the content for this column, you read:

Pages 423-425 in Chapter 16. Look for the “The Failure of Reconstruction” which includes

·          “The Stigma of Corruption”

·          “The Resurgence of the Democrats”

·         “Why Reconstruction Failed.”

^

For the content for this column, you read:

Pages 429-430 in Chapter 16 and 453-454 in Chapter 17. Look for these headings:

·          “CONCLUSION” (stops at “As with”) – These pages include some things that WILL happen AFTER the current time of 1877.

·         “Segregation” ” –These pages are about a later time than 1877, such as the Supreme Court cases AFTER 1883.

^

For the content for this column, you read:

Pages 468-469 in Chapter 18. Look for this heading:

“The Spread of Segregation.”

^

For the content for this column, you read:

Pages 495-496, 504-505 Look for these headings:

·          “African Americans and Segregation.”

Paragraph on 504 beginning “The main combat” through paragraph on 505 ending “brought harmony at the expense of black Americans.”

 

If You Are Using the 3rd Edition Paperback or Any Earlier Version - What You Have to Read for Each Column

The publisher changed the organization of the textbook with the 4th edition. If you are using an earlier edition than the 4th edition, use this link to find:

·         Chapter numbers and headings for the 3rd edition and earlier editions 

·         Specific page numbers in the 3rd edition paperback.

How Can You Download or Print These Resources About the Table on Servitude?

The table on what happens to the blacks in the south and what government does:

§         For a blank version of this table for self-testing (If you do not plan to self-test, click on this and notice what the top row and the purple highlights. Also notice the Cautions in yellow)

§         For my answers so you can compare yours to them

Tip: These are PDFs. If you click on the links, you can use the control with a PDF to print them easily. If you need help, just ask.

 

Are There Any Tips for Reading When Things Do Not Seem to “Stick”?

Some students comment that they read but things just do not seem to “stick.” If you want to try a method for reading about reality when you need to be accurate, click this method for reading FOR evidence. If you prefer a face to face meeting or a phone conference, let me know.

 

I am not an expert, but I may be a person who has a similar problem to yours. These tips worked for me. Some came from one of my community college teachers.

 

WCJC was kind enough to send me to a program for community college teachers who wanted to help community college students succeed, including at reading. Parts of that program are very similar to what I was told years ago by my community college teacher.

How Can I Work to Prevent the Problems Identified by the Evidence Checklist/Rubric?

Click here for the link to preventions provided after you receive feedback on your History Changes Essay.

 

 

 

Copyright C. J. Bibus, Ed.D. 2003-2013

 

WCJC Department:

History – Dr. Bibus

Contact Information:

281.239.1577 or bibusc@wcjc.edu

Last Updated:

2013

WCJC Home:

http://www.wcjc.edu/