Write a 1-2 page, double-spaced paper (with one inch margins in Times New Roman), which persuasively answers the below prompt. Support your thesis with specific evidence. You should draw your evidence from course readings, as well as from class lectures and discussions. You may not use outside sources. You should use parenthetical citations to cite this evidence, listing the author and page number (see below for an example). Your paper is due in Canvas by Oct. 9 at 11:59 pm. It is worth fifteen percent of your final grade. There is a grading rubric, along with writing tips below the prompt.
Prompt: European imperialists believed they were superior to Africans. The “civilizing mission,” and the need for Christian proselytization, served as key justifications for colonial rule. However, European civilizing efforts and African reception of such efforts often looked quite different in practice than in theory. Answer the following two related questions in your paper, by drawing on Nancy Jacobs, Wole Soyinka, and the mini-lectures. 1) How did the actions of European colonialists contradict the ideas of the civilizing mission? 2) Even when Africans did convert to Christianity or accept certain European cultural practices, how did they also maintain their own belief systems and cultural norms at the same time?
When you submit your paper, it will go through Turnitin – a citation verification service that helps educators and students ensure that content in written documents is cited properly. Papers submitted to Turnitin are compared against billions of Internet documents, archived Internet data that is no longer available on the live web, a local repository of previously submitted papers, and subscriiption repository of periodicals, journals, and publications. Please be sure to write in your own words and to properly cite the ideas and language of others.
Some notes on writing and the organization of your writing:
Writing should be well-organized and clearly written. It never hurts to outline your thoughts before writing. This will help you write clearly and coherently.
Your first paragraph must contain your thesis, and it must state your argument clearly.
Provide clear and specific evidence to support your thesis.
Cite that evidence parenthetically. For example: The rise of the Sokoto Caliphate set off other jihadist movements in the region (Jacobs, 75). If you have the ebook, cite whatever page number / percentage you have. If you want to cite a class lecture, use the lecturer’s name and the date. For example: (Moskowitz, 9/14).
Link your sentences together. Create continuity from one sentence to the next. Each sentence should be logically connected to the sentences around it.
Do not clutter your sentences with unnecessary phrases. Sometimes less is more.
Use clear language. Think about the words you choose. Do they mean exactly what you are trying to communicate?
Avoid writing in passive voice:
For example: “Kenyans were ruled by British colonialists” is a passive sentence. An active (and better) sentence would be: “British colonialists ruled Kenyans.”
Check that your verb tenses are correct. History occurs in the past, and thus, should often be written about in past tense.
