To demonstrate your understanding of U.S. History from Reconstruction to the Modern Era, choose one of the thematic essays listed below. Pay special attention to the following expectations:  At least 5 reputable sources  APA formatting (see the Student Success Resources link in Blackboard for information on this format)  3-5 written pages (not including title page or reference page)  Essay organization – Includes introduction with thesis statement, multiple body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Essay Choices: 1. Immigration - Compare the geographical trends, tensions surrounding the issue of immigration, and the United States government response to these tensions for the years 1880 to 1925 and 2000 to the present day. 2. Technology – Analyze the impact of technology on society and politics in the 1920s, 1950s, and 2000s. In what ways was the effect on society and politics in each of these time periods similar and different? 3. War and Policies – Compare and contrast the post-WWI Red Scare, the post-WWII anticommunism campaign, and the war on terrorism after September 11th & the Iraq War. What effect did fear have on political decisions, elections, and domestic /foreign policies? Your final thematic essay assignment is due at the end of WEEK 8. Please use the rubric on the following page to help develop your essay. Final Thematic Essay Assignment HIS202 – US History II HIS202 Final Thematic Essay Assignment Rubric CRITERIA Deficient Development Needed Proficient Exemplary Thesis Statemen t 10 points Unclear or incomplete and does not demonstrate an understanding of social studies concepts. (0-1 points) Weak or inadequately developed, and marginally demonstrates an understanding of social studies concepts. (2-4 points) Clear, developed, and demonstrates a limited understanding of social studies concepts. (5-7 points) Clear, well- developed, and demonstrates an analytical understanding of social studies concepts. (8-10 points) Addressed Essay Question 40 points Does not answer all aspects of essay question, is missing information, and/or provides inaccurate information. Lacks support by research and examples, may include inaccurate information. Does not demonstrate understandi ng of content. (0-10 points) Inadequately answers all aspects of essay question or is missing information. Supported by limited research and examples, which may include inaccuracies. Minimally demonstrates understanding of content, demonstrates gaps in understanding. (11-20 points) Minimally or unevenly answers all aspects of essay question. Adequately supported by limited research and examples. Minimally demonstrates understanding of content. (21-30 points) Thoroughly answers all aspects of essay question. Well- supported by extensive research and examples. Demonstrates extensive ...

1. To demonstrate your understanding of U.S. History from
Reconstruction to the
Modern Era, choose one of the thematic essays listed below.
Pay special attention to the following expectations:
Blackboard for information on this format)
-5 written pages (not including title page or reference page)
– Includes introduction with thesis
statement, multiple
body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Essay Choices:

2. 1. Immigration - Compare the geographical trends, tensions
surrounding the issue of
immigration, and the United States government response to
these tensions for the
years 1880 to 1925 and 2000 to the present day.
2. Technology – Analyze the impact of technology on society
and politics in the 1920s,
1950s, and 2000s. In what ways was the effect on society and
politics in each of these
time periods similar and different?
3. War and Policies – Compare and contrast the post-WWI Red
Scare, the post-WWII
anticommunism campaign, and the war on terrorism after
September 11th & the Iraq
War. What effect did fear have on political decisions, elections,
and domestic /foreign
policies?
Your final thematic essay assignment is due at the end of
WEEK 8.
Please use the rubric on the following page to help develop your
essay.
Final Thematic Essay Assignment

3. HIS202 – US History II
HIS202 Final Thematic Essay Assignment Rubric
CRITERIA Deficient Development
Needed
Proficient Exemplary
Thesis
Statemen
t 10
points
Unclear or
incomplete
and does not
demonstrate
an
understanding
of social
studies
concepts.
(0-1 points)
Weak or inadequately
developed, and
marginally
demonstrates an

4. understanding of social
studies concepts.
(2-4 points)
Clear, developed,
and demonstrates a
limited
understanding of
social studies
concepts.
(5-7 points)
Clear, well-
developed,
and
demonstrates
an analytical
understanding
of social
studies
concepts.
(8-10 points)
Addressed
Essay
Question 40

5. points
Does not
answer all
aspects of
essay
question, is
missing
information,
and/or
provides
inaccurate
information.
Lacks support
by research
and
examples,
may include
inaccurate
information.
Does not
demonstrate
understandi
ng of
content.
(0-10 points)
Inadequately answers
all aspects of essay
question or is missing
information. Supported
by limited research and
examples, which may

6. include inaccuracies.
Minimally
demonstrates
understanding of
content, demonstrates
gaps in understanding.
(11-20 points)
Minimally or
unevenly answers all
aspects of essay
question.
Adequately supported
by limited research and
examples. Minimally
demonstrates
understanding of
content.
(21-30 points)
Thoroughly
answers all
aspects of essay
question. Well-
supported by
extensive research
and examples.
Demonstrates
extensive

7. understanding
of content.
(31-40 points)
Analysi
s 40
points
Analysis is
attempted but
is minimally
developed.
Lacks thought
and
persuasion.
Demonstrates
minimal or
inaccurate
understanding
of theme
across time.
(0-10 points)
Analysis of topic is
minimally developed,
thoughtful, and
persuasive.

8. Demonstrates minimal
understanding of
theme across time.
(11-20 points)
Analysis of topic is
developed,
thoughtful, and
persuasive.
Demonstrates basic
understanding of
theme across time.
(21-30 points)
Analysis of topic is
well-developed,
very thoughtful,
and persuasive.
Demonstrates in-
depth
understanding of
theme across
time.
(31-40 points)

9. Spelling,
Grammar
20 points
Lacks
organizatio
n, logic and
clarity.
Transitions
seldom used
to connect
ideas. Shows
minimal
understandin
g of essay
development.
(0-4 points)
Organized, but may
lack logic and clear
articulation. Attempts
transitions to connect
ideas. Shows limited
understanding of essay
development.
(5-9 points)
Generally organized,
logical and clearly
articulated.

10. Transitions used to
connect ideas.
Inconsistent in
showing
understanding of
essay development.
(10-14 points)
Well-developed
essay structure.
Organized, logical,
and clearly
articulated.
Transitions
smoothly connect
ideas.
Shows
understanding of
essay
development.
(15-20 points)
Clarity &
Organizatio
n 20 points
Lacks
organizatio
n, logic and

11. clarity.
Transitions
seldom used
to connect
ideas. Shows
minimal
understandin
g of essay
development.
(0-4 points)
Organized, but may
lack logic and clear
articulation. Attempts
transitions to connect
ideas. Shows limited
understanding of essay
development.
(5-9 points)
Generally organized,
logical and clearly
articulated.
Transitions used to
connect ideas.
Inconsistent in
showing
understanding of
essay development.

12. (10-14 points)
Well-developed
essay structure.
Organized, logical,
and clearly
articulated.
Transitions
smoothly connect
ideas.
Shows
understanding of
essay
development.
(15-20 points)
Paper
Format 10
points
APA
references
provided; no
use of in-text
citations.
(0-1 point)
APA format is minimally
attempted with errors

13. and/or missing
requirements/compone
nts. May only cite
quotes and include
references.
(2-4 points)
Use of APA format is
attempted with errors
and/or missing
requirements/compone
nts.
(5-7 points)
Proper use of
APA format is
present
throughout the
paper.
(8-10 points)
Source
s 10
points
Uses/identifie
s 0 reputable
sources.

14. (0-1 point)
Uses/identifies
1-2 reputable
sources.
(2-4 points)
Uses/identifies 3
-4 reputable
sources.
(5-7 points)
Uses/identifies 5
or more
reputable
sources.
(8-10 points)