For this assignment, draw on all of the work we have done together throughout this term.
First, choose either Crevecoeur's Letter or Barack Obama's November 7, 2007 speech ("Agenda to Reclaim the American Dream"). Describe their vision of life in America in terms of both its promise and its problems. Discuss their visions of America in terms of Adams' definition of the American Dream.
Next, choose two of the other texts we have read in the previous modules. Evaluate how the ideas, arguments, and problems presented in these texts compare to those presented by Crevecoeur or Obama. For instance, you might want to choose a text that confirms Crevecoeur's (or Obama's) vision of America and another text that challenges or problematizes that vision.
Finally, assess the possibilities or impossibilities of achieving the American Dream as represented in these texts and the course generally. Has the progress of American life confirmed the possibility of the American Dream, or have the persistent challenges, divisions, and conflicts shown its impossibility? What progress has been realized and what still needs to be done?
Write a 5-6 page paper in Word format (not counting title and reference page). Include an APA formatted title page and reference page. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc. By Monday, February 8, 2016, deliver your assignment to the M5: Assignment 1 Dropbox.
All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.
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Assignment 1 Grading Criteria
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Maximum Points
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Define the concept of the American Dream presented by the chosen author.
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36
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Explain the potential problems that arise from the vision this author presents.
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48
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Analyze the conceptions of the American Dream presented by two other authors and provide support for these claims using the appropriate texts.
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88
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Draw meaningful conclusions about the possibility of achieving the American Dream by comparing and contrasting the visions presented.
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40
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Describe how these visions still impact our conception of America today.
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24
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Organization (16 points): Introduction, Thesis, Transitions, and Conclusion
Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, Spelling, and Sentence Structure
APA Elements (24 points): Attribution, Paraphrasing, and Quotations
Style (8 points): Audience, and Word Choice
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64
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Total:
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300
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