GAH 1293: Presenting the Past—History outside the ClassroomSpring 2012
PAPER #5 INSTRUCTIONS:
“Politics and History”
DUE DATE: Wednesday, March21 (the Wed. AFTER Spring Break) on Blackboard by 10:00am
To complete this assignment answer all four questions below (provide a good paragraph or two per question, and offer specific examples and details to illustrate your arguments). Together, your responses should be at least 3-4 typed,double-spaced pages (use 12-pt. font, one inch margins, Times New Roman font, please).
You can either download the questions from this assignment sheet on the course website, or retype them into your paper, but either way please separate your answers by question so I know what refers to what!
Remember that 8 possible assignments in the semester, yet only 6 section papersare required. That is because each student can choose which 2 papers they opt not to turn in (consider the assignment schedules of your other courses when making this decision—life happens during the course of the term, and this option provides some flexibility—use it wisely). Each short paper is worth 10% of the total grade, and is due at the beginning of the next class period (for a combined total of 60%).
You must review readings assigned for week #8 posted on They provide you with historical context about the program and exhibition you are assessing.
Please refer to the syllabus for directions on submitting papers online to the course Blackboard site; this assignment is due at 10:00am on Wednesday,March 21 (note this is the week AFTER spring break). After that time, Blackboard will mark papers as late, and the grade goes does down one full letter grade for each day. Instructions for submitting assignments to Blackboard also appear on the course website under “Assignments,” please visit If you are not certain that Blackboard received your assignment (or if Blackboard is misbehaving) come to the van with a hard copy.
Be careful in quoting and paraphrasing statements and review the course policy on plagiarism outlined in the syllabus. You are expected to footnote all direct quotations as well as any ideas or information from outside your own personal experience. As noted in class, the last name of the author and the page number in parentheses is enough for the written sources (for example, Hall, pg. 1235); for the exhibition or the program, simply provide the title (both are located on the exhibition website,
GAH 1293: Paper #5Spring 2012
PAPER #5 INSTRUCTIONS:
“Politics and History”
Please type your responses INTO this form beneath each question. Think carefully and critically. Remember to put your name on the top of your paper.
1.Mike Wallace argues that Ronald Reagan’s use of history for political campaigning had much in common with Walt Disney’s version of America. Look back over your notes for week 6; do you agree, why or why not?
2.Wallace concludes that Hollywood filmmakers of the mid-twentieth adopted a nationalist or celebratory story of American history. What did he mean and what forces does he think filmmakers were responding to?
3.Sylvia Kraemer suggests that historians could take a lesson about writing other professions, such as policy makers and even lawyers. What does she suggest historians do improperly and how might these professions make the writing of history “better”?
4.Review the text of three of the campaign speeches viewed in class (Obama, Romney, or Paul—these are posted on the course website under “Assignments”—look for “Assignment 5—Political Speeches”). Chose one and outline how that politician uses different historical people and events to make his modern-day arguments. Is the history of the event important? Does it seem reasonably accurate?
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