Exams and Papers

HISTORY 125/ SPRING 2005

MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY

EXAMS AND PAPERS

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INTERACTIVE WEEK-BY-WEEK SYLLABUS

MIDTERM PAPER

Click here for the midterm re-do which is due on Monday, May 2

Essay Assignment for Midterm:

Every year on March 25, the day of the fire, there is a ceremony at the old Triangle Shirtwaist Factory which is now part of New York University (address). Imagine that for the centennial observance in 2011, a time capsule will be buried under the existing commemorative plaque. A contest is being conducted to decide how to best memorialize the fire. Submit an entry which consists of the following items: (Due March 23rd in sections 091/111; March 24th in section 141)

· An overview essay on the causes, course, consequences and lessons of the fire. (three to four pages)

· Two cartoons about the fire with brief explanations of why they should be included. (Three to five sentences for each cartoon)

· At least four documents about the fire with brief explanations of why they should be included. (Three to five sentences for each document)

· A burning question that the fire still ignites in your soul.

Your Overview Essay:

Write your essay in 3-4 double spaced typewritten pages.

The essay should follow the structure outlined below.

A brief description of what happened on March 25, 1911 (one paragraph)
A paragraph on the historical context. In five or six sentences, situate the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in the late 19^th century and early 20^th century context of:

· Industrialization.

· The growth of corporate power.

· The changing conditions of work in the U.S.

· Progressive reform.

A couple paragraphs on the causes. Focus on workplace conditions, labor-management relations, the general structure of the garment industry in NYC and government regulation (or lack of regulation) of factory conditions.
A paragraph on the impact of the fire. How did the media cover the fire? What was the impact of the coverage?
A couple of paragraphs on the response to the fire.

· What was the response of labor (in general and by the garment workers)?

· What was the response of government?

· What, if anything (e.g. factory safety), changed? Why? How?

Conclusion. In a paragraph, explain the lessons and historical importance of the fire as well as its connections to today.

The Two Cartoons and Four Documents:

For each cartoon and document, write three to five sentences explaining how the cartoon or document underscores a key point that you are making in your overview essay.

GRADING GRID

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION of what happened on March 25, 1911 (one paragraph)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT. Situate the fire in the context of late 19^th/early 20^th century Industrialization. The growth of corporate power. The changing conditions of work in the U.S. Progressive reform.
CAUSES. Couple of paragraphs on workplace conditions, labor-management relations, the general structure of the garment industry in NYC and government regulation (or lack of regulation) of factory conditions.
IMPACT of the fire. How did the media cover the fire? What was the impact of the coverage?
RESPONSE TO THE FIRE. What was the response of labor (in general and by the garment workers)? What was the response of government? What, if anything (e.g. factory safety), changed? Why? How?
CONCLUSION. In a paragraph, explain the lessons and historical importance of the fire as well as its connections to today.
THE TWO CARTOONS AND FOUR DOCUMENTS: For each cartoon and document, write three to five sentences explaining how the cartoon or document underscores a key point that you are making in your overview essay.

FINAL EXAM

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