Book/Paper Project for 1St Quarter

Mrs. Knapp AP US Gov’t & Politics

Book/Paper Project for 1st Quarter

(Due Wednesday, October 26th)

D’Souza, Dinesh. What’s So Great About America. New York: Penguin Books, 2002.

DIRECTIONS: Read the above book and answer the following questions in a 3 to 5 page paper. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, no larger than 1 inch margins.

Paper MUST be submitted to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM on the due date. Papers submitted after this time are considered late. A paper copy of your paper must also be submitted the next class period.

Questions:

1. What is so great about America? Include D’Souza’s discussion of the three Western institutions (science, democracy, and capitalism). Include examples from today’s society.

2. According to D’Souza, colonialism and imperialism are not the cause of the West’s success, but the result of that success. Explain this statement using examples from both the book and your knowledge of world history. This means both historical and current events.

3. Do you agree or disagree with D’Souza’s theory: Does history play a part in the events occurring today? If so, what events? Why? If no, why not?

4. Which parts of this book could be considered controversial? Why? Be sure to include specific quotes and to whom they would be controversial.

Grading: (GRADE/210)

1. Followed all directions/Spelling and Grammar (15 points)

2. Answer to question #1. (90 points)

What is so great about America? Include D’Souza’s discussion of the three Western institutions (science, democracy, and capitalism)

3. Answer to question #2. (60 points)

According to D’Souza, colonialism and imperialism are not the cause of the West’s success, but the result of that success. Explain this statement using examples from both the book and your knowledge of world history.

4. Answer to question #3. (30 points)

Do you agree or disagree with D’Souza’s theory? Does history play a part in the events occurring today? What events? Why?

5. Answer to question #4. (15 points)

Which parts of this book could be considered controversial? Why?