HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
All students are required to turn in 3 of the 4 possible homework assignments. Include a bibliography with
all assignments. All papers may be turned in either in electronic or hard copy format. All handouts should be one-page,
single spaced (10 or 12 pt. Arial or Times Roman Font). Include a title for the handout, and place your name in the top
right-hand corner. DO NOT INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL HEADING. The handout should be in an expository
format, using good grammar and complete sentences. Be clear and concise. Remember you are explaining this to
someone who does not know this material.
Be sure to include an introductory paragraph on the material prior to any
charts. Include a bibliography of all sources used in creating your handout on a separate page. Use the Turabian
format as illustrated on the course web-site. Use endnotes to site all materials. All homework must be submitted in
both electronic and hard copy. E-copies must be submitted to turnitin.com by class time.
Homework #1: Independence Movements
Due: Jan. 27th
100 points
De-colonization is one of the key movements/ events of the last half of the 20th century. Choose one of the
countries listed below and give a brief narrative (1 page) of the process of independence &/or modernization for that
country. Be sure to include the type of government formed after independence and give an indication of its stability and
status currently.
Barbados
Guyana
Syria
Malawi
Laos
Gold Coast/
Suriname
Lebanon
Morocco
Sudan
Ghana
Algeria
Iran
Jordan
Mauritania
Congo
Kenya
Burma
South Africa
Nigeria
Angola
Cambodia
Hong Kong
Turkey
Niger
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Libya
Uganda
Macau
Indonesia
Afghanistan
Iraq
British Honduras
Somalia
Sierra Leone
Homework #2: Cold War at Home
Due: Feb. 13th
100 points
The era of the 1950s was one of great contradiction, and the Cold War loomed over many aspects of life. For this
assignment you are to create a handout on the Cold War at home. This handout should be one-page, in an expository
format, using good grammar and complete sentences. Be clear and concise. Remember you are explaining this to
someone who does not know this material.
Option 1: Cold War Espionage. Using your textbook and the links provided on the web-site, locate four cases of
espionage or alleged espionage in the 1950s. Create a handout describing the accused, the charges, and the outcome of
the trial. At the end of the handout, write a brief paragraph containing your own conclusions on the reality of the threat of
espionage in the 1950s.
Option 2: Impact of Cold War on Culture. Choose an aspect of American culture – movies, daily life, music, art
or education. Find at least three concrete examples of the impact of the Cold War on this aspect of life during the 1950s.
Describe each of the three examples with specific details. Include an introductory and conclusion paragraph of your own
summary on the Cold War tensions and daily life in the 1950s.
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Homework #3: Conspiracy Theories Due: Mar. 26th
100 points
Since President John F. Kennedy was killed on Nov. 22, 1963, a host of theories have surfaced concerning who or
what was responsible for his death. Using library and internet resources, locate five theories as to who killed President
Kennedy. At least two theories should be ones which surfaced in 1963, while the other three may be from a variety of
sources. Create a table which lists the assassin, method, and motive for each of these theories. Include a bibliography
of all sources used in creating your table on a separate page. Use the Terabian format as illustrated on the course
web-site.
Homework #4: Presidents
Due: Apr. 13th
100 points
For this assignment, do the following, in the order listed.
1. Rank your top ten (best) Presidents of the U.S. (#1 should be the best), and then rank the 5 worst presidents of the U.S.
(#5 should be the worst). Make sure to include the full name of the president, the numeric order of each president listed
(i.e. 1st, 40th, etc.), and the dates they were in office.
2. After ranking them, write 1-2 paragraphs outlining what makes a good president. Make sure to be specific in what
qualities you look for.
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