EDFD 221
Spring 2024
Paper 2 due by April 15, midnight, on Canvas
+3 points extra credit if you go to the MSU Center for Writing Excellence to get help writing or editing your paper. You must fill out the “assignment” on Canvas to get extra credit. These tutors will help you: outline and plan your essay; improve argument and use of sources; edit for clarity and grammar; use proper MLA citation format, and more.
Note: You may NOT use AI software to write or “polish” your writing, such as CHAT GPT or Grammarly. When you turn in your essay, it is automatically scanned and the new detection software is excellent.
This essay invites you to select one of the topics we have studied so far in class, and write a critical response paper that analyzes the debate in more depth. You will do additional outside research to develop a strong paper.
This is a formal academic HISTORY paper. Include dates and specific historical examples taken from the readings to develop a strong essay. Edit carefully.
CHECKLIST (CHECK YOUR WORK)::
1,000- 1,250 words or 4-5 pages of double-spaced text, plus in text, parenthetical citations in MLA format with a works cited list.
How do you do MLA citations with a works cited list? You can go to the Center for Writing Excellence for help, or you can visit this website. Here’s how to do the parenthetical in text citations (author year, page number). (Burkholder and Blum 2021, p. 121).
Select 1 of the questions below to answer.
You must cite at least 4 written texts: Draw on a minimum of TWO of the assigned readings or websites from Modules 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 and you must cite TWO new articles or websites– you can find your own sources through google news or MSU Sprague Library.
You are expected to introduce each text, include direct quotes or specific evidence from each, and use this evidence to develop and complicate your thesis.
This is a history paper– it should be presented in chronological order, include specific dates, people, and events, reference relevant historical context, and explain change over time. It should be well organized with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
You will be graded on the strength and complexity of your thesis, your ability to use assigned texts to develop a persuasive argument, and the technical aspects of your writing: clear prose, correct grammar and punctuation, varied and interesting sentence structure and vocabulary, effective organization.
Your paper should have an original TITLE and page numbers.
All papers scanned for plagiarism.
Review the grading rubric before you turn in your essay. You’re welcome to exchange papers with a classmate or ask a friend to help edit your paper.
Political Commentary: Explaining an Educational Culture War:
Teen Vogue has asked you to write a political commentary that explains a major culture war in educational politics. In this essay you will explain a political debate, explain who is on each side and why, and then share your opinion on it, and explain why you feel that way. Check out their political articles as examples!
You must use direct evidence from at least two assigned articles or texts from class in Modules 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. That means you should introduce the source (author, title) and include direct quotes or talk about factual information in these sources.
You must also use 2 new outside sources– Try to use respected news sources or major non-profit foundation websites, you are encouraged to select one conservative perspective and one liberal one that offer competing perspectives on the topic.
That’s a total of at least 4 sources (more is okay).
All of these debates are really complex and complicated– there are fair points on each side— a good essay should acknowledge that.
Select one:
Title IX requires educational equality, but what’s “equal” when it comes to trans athletes in school sports? Explain the debate over trans students in school sports–who is on each side and what do they want, and why– then explain which side you think young people should support, and why? What do you think is the best way to resolve this conflict to create fair school sports for all?
US public schools are unequal, what is the best way to enact major reform that will improve them on a national level? Explain two different approaches to educational reform– No Child Left Behind and Black Lives Matter in School, put them into historical context, explain who supported them and why, and tell us which one you think offers the best strategy to significantly improve US public schools.
What is “school choice” as an educational reform strategy, and why is it so controversial as a reform strategy? Does it make schools more or less equal for students of color– should young people support it, fight to change it, or reject it altogether? Help us understand this complex debate!
What should we teach about the history of race, racism, and inequality in US public schools and why? Explain the debate over teaching critical race theory in schools– why are some people desperate to expand the study of Black history while others are fighting to erase it– and tell us which side you think young people should support, and why. Is there a way to resolve this fierce debate– of so, what is it?
What is the debate over comprehensive versus abstinence-only sex education, who supports each side and why, and how have new concerns about creating a “gender inclusive” sex education curriculum changed the contours of these debates in recent years? Tell us what kind of sex education you support in US public schools and why, is there a way to resolve this heated debate moving forward?
This is a history class, please include historical context and specific dates where possible. Include a works cited page.
Writing help:
https://www.montclair.edu/center-for-writing-excellence/(extra credit if you go have a tutor session) +3 points on final essay grade
Sample Outline for a History Paper– this is a great tool to get you organized before you write your paper, try it.
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