Assignment 3: America as a Superpower  

Assignment 3: America as a Superpower 

For History 105: Dr. Stansbury’s classes (7 pages here)

Due Week 9 and worth 120 points.  The formal deadline is on Monday morning at 9am Eastern Time; this is the next day after Week 9 ends. Watch announcements, emails, and postings for exact dates and any holiday notes that sometimes arise.

[NOTE ON ECREE: As you know from our first two papers, the university is adopting a tool called ecree for helping and doing writing assignments in many classes. In our History 105 class, we will be using the ecree program only for EXTRA CREDIT as a tool for doing work on your rough draft of the paper. We hope this approach encourages more rough drafting and revision work by students as well as makes students familiar with this useful new tool. For Assignment 3, in the Week 9 unit, you will see the link “EXTRA CREDIT: ROUGH DRAFT….”—that is where you can get up to 5 points of extra credit. Instructions will be posted there in the early days of the summer course. If you try this option, you will be able to use the file developed in ecree as a rough draft; you will then download that draft and edit it further. Then, once your paper is fully polished and finished as you see fit, you will then submit it at the next link in the Week 9 unit, which says “SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 3: AMERICA AS A SUPERPOWER”. ]

The previous assignments focused on domestic matters in U.S. history. This last assignment explores America’s international role in recent decades.

BACKGROUND FOR THE PAPER: This is a 5-paragraph paper based on research in designated sources. It is a position paper in which you support a thesis statement by reason and historical examples. By the mid-20th century, the United States had become the dominant force in international relations. Some have argued that the United States’ military functions as the world’s “police.” This assignment covers the manner in which this shift occurred and the consequences the United States faces as a result of its status as “policeman of the world.” One can identify early steps this direction well before World War II, but in this paper focus on the period from 1950 to the present. The American international “policing” role developed because of the Cold War, but now terrorists or any power having or trying to get weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are the potential targets of such a role. Your paper will use specific examples—two from the Cold War years (roughly 1950-1990) and two from the past three decades (1991-2019). Examine the two statements below and drawing from provided sources and the university’s online library, present a paper with specific examples and arguments to demonstrate the validity of your position. [Don’t use this background paragraph in your paper.]

NOTE: The word “policing” here has nothing to do with traditional law enforcement agencies. It is more about trying to manage parts of the globe—usually by use of military force or the threat of it. The aim of this management may be to maintain stability, remove threats of “rogue” forces or terrorists or weapons, prevent the expansion of autocratic rule, protect a fledgling democracy, etc. [continued on next page]

Choose one of these thesis statements as your position (make it the last sentence of your introductory paragraph):

THESIS STATEMENT 1: By examples from different decades since 1950, it is clear that the international policing role and strategy of the United States was once essential, but should now be discarded as ineffective and counterproductive.

THESIS STATEMENT 2: By examples from different decades since 1950, it is clear that the international policing role and strategy of the United States during the Cold War has become even more necessary in this period of terrorism and instability.

· Whichever thesis statement you choose, plan to make that thesis statement the last sentence in your introductory paragraph. The general subject is America’s international “policing” role as a superpower for the last 70-plus years. You may modify the wording slightly to fit more precisely the position you wish to take. This is NOT a simple statement of a topic; it is a statement of a position you are taking about that topic. p.s.—Valid arguments and “A” papers can be made with either thesis. So, you choose the one you think is the stronger position.

In your paper, use specific examples—two from the Cold War years (roughly 1950-1990) and two from post Cold War years (the past three decades, roughly 1991-2019). After giving general consideration to your readings and your research, select one of the positions above as your position—your thesis. (Sometimes after doing more thorough research, you might choose the reverse position. This happens with critical thinking and inquiry. Your final paper might end up taking a different position than you originally envisioned.) Organize your paper as follows, handling these issues with this FOUR-PART organization (see Template also):

  1. Part       One—one paragraph. INTRODUCTION AND THESIS STATEMENT. The position you choose will be       the thesis statement in your opening paragraph; make it the last sentence       of the paragraph.
  2. Part       Two—two paragraphs normally. FOUR EXAMPLES. To support your thesis, use four       specific examples, two from the Cold War years (1950-1990) and two from       the post-Cold War period (1991-2019). The examples should be specific and clearly support your       thesis. In these paragraphs one       generally must have in-text citations to support your specific examples       and to show where the information was found. Make the examples SPECIFIC. The FORMAT SAMPLE paper can also help       on this part.
  3. Part Three—one paragraph normally. DEALING WITH THE       OPPOSING VIEW. The opposing view is the thesis statement you did NOT choose.       Identify that opposing view and explain why the opposing view is weak in       comparison to yours. No new       research needed; just one paragraph of critical thinking suggesting why       your thesis/position is stronger than a different view. Approach it this way: You adopted a thesis statement. The       opposing view is the thesis statement you did NOT adopt. You might start       this paragraph by saying “Some may disagree with my thesis and argue       that ——- .” THEN—you spend 3 to 5 sentences giving       a reasoned argument why your thesis is stronger than the opposing       view.
  4. Part Four—one       paragraph: LEGACY TODAY AND CONCLUSION: Consider your life today: In what way       does the history you have shown shape or impact issues in your workplace       or desired profession? This might be unclear at first since it is foreign       policy. (But, super-power status does inevitably provide advantages in a       global economy.) This might be easy if you work in cyber security,       criminal justice, IT, etc. You can       consider the legal impact of terrorism on the justice system, privacy       issues, etc. Even a business must       now plan accordingly. Every profession now must have security safeguards,       have emergency incident preparations, plan what to do with data,       etc. A few comments on these       things for your profession—and some comments on how this impacts our       lives in general. The FORMAT       SAMPLE PAPER also has good suggestions for this part.

After the fourth part concluding the paper, be sure you have the numbered list of sources at the end. And be sure each source listed is also used and cited clearly in the body of the paper. The FORMAT SAMPLE paper illustrates this.

Length: The paper should be 500-to-750 words in length. 500 is a minimum. 750 is a guideline as a maximum. This word-count does not include any title page or sources list.

Research and References: You must use a MINIMUM of four quality academic sources; the Schultz textbook must be one of them. The other three may be from the list below or from other quality sources you find in the university’s online library. (Sticking with the list is a safe strategy; using other quality sources from the university’s online library is permitted.) This is guided research, not Googling.

Source list for Assignment 3: Some sources are “primary” sources from the time period being studied. Some sources below can be accessed via direct link.  For others, they are accessible through the permalink to the source in our online library: Sources below having libdatab.strayer.edu as part of the URL have a permalink to that source in our university’s online library. (The link takes you to the library log-in; you then log in, and then the source appears for you right away). Each source below is shown in SWS form, so if you use it, you may easily copy the entire entry onto your paper’s sources list. (On a paper, never list an item as URL only.)

SWS Form for the textbook:

Kevin M. Schultz. 2018. HIST: Volume 2: U.S. History since 1865.  5th ed.

Choose sources relevant to the topic and position you are taking:

G. H. W. Bush. March 6, 1991. Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the Cessation of the Persian Gulf Conflict. http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/bushnwo.html

S. Chace. Summer, 2015. The Cuban Missile Crisis: Leadership as Disturbance, Informed by History.  http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=110092272&site=eds-live&scope=site

J. F. Dulles. Jan. 2, 1954. Secretary Dulles’ Strategy of Massive Retaliation. http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/dulles.html

M. Klare. July 15, 2002. Endless Military Superiority. http://qw2libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=6926412&site=eds-live&scope=site

T. McCrisken. April/May, 2013. Obama’s Drone War. http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=86689166&site=eds-live&scope=site

C. Paul. 2008. Marines on the Beach: The Politics of U.S. Military Intervention Decision Making. eBook. http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=275009&site=eds-live&scope=site

C. Powell. Feb. 6, 2003. Transcript of Powell’s UN Presentation. http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/02/05/sprj.irq.powell.transcript/

R. Reagan. March, 1983. Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals. http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/evilemp.html

Kevin M. Schultz. 2018. HIST: Volume 2: U.S. History since 1865.  5th ed.

S. M. Tarzi. Sept. 2014. The Folly of a Grand Strategy of Coercive Global Primacy: A Fresh Perspective on the Post-9/11 Bush Doctrine.  http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=98323177&site=eds-live&scope=site

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements below:

  • This course requires use of new Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format is different than other Strayer University      courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details.
  • If you use ECREE as a rough draft tool, the document of      the rough draft that you download will be single-spaced. Once you download and save that, use      your Word or other program to double space between lines and to make other      edits and additions as necessary.
  • Your final Assignment 3 paper must be typed, double      spaced between lines, and use one of these font styles: Arial, Courier,      Times New Roman, or Calibri. Font      size must be between 10 and 12. Try      to use one-inch margins on all sides,      but don’t justify the right margin. In-text citations (in the body of the      paper) and a numbered Sources list at the end are required, and they      should follow SWS format. Check with your professor for any additional      instructions.
  • Include a title page containing the title of the      assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the      date you completed the paper. (Please—on the title page—keep it fairly      plain, no fancy colors, boxes, etc.)
  • The title page and the Sources list are not included in the required assignment length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

  • Analyze the rise of the United States to a world      “superpower” and how that status has shaped its internal developments in      recent decades.
  • Examine how changes in social and economic conditions      and technology can cause corresponding changes in the attitudes of the      people and policies of the government
  • Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of      government have influenced the direction of historical and social      development in the United States.
  • Recognize the major turning points in American history      since the Civil War.
  • Use technology and information resources to research      issues in contemporary U.S. history.
  • Write clearly and concisely about contemporary U.S.      history using proper writing mechanics.

————————————– [Grading Rubric on next two pages]

GRADING RUBRIC for Assignment 3: Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric. (2 pages here)

Points: 120

Assignment   3:  America as a Superpower

Criteria

Exemplary  100% A

Proficient85% B

Fair 75% C

Meets   Minimum Expectations 65% D

Unacceptable 0% F

1. Clearly introduce your paper   with your thesis.   Weight: 10%

Thoroughly and clearly introduced   your paper with your thesis statement chosen from the list provided.

Satisfactorily introduced your   paper with your thesis statement, chosen from the list provided.

Partially introduced your paper   with your thesis statement.

Insufficiently introduced your   paper with your thesis statement.

Poor or no introduction. No thesis   statement used from those provided.

2. Discuss four specific examples   from different decades (between 1950 and the present) to support your thesis.   However, two (2) examples must be from the Cold War years (before 1991) and   the other two (2) examples must be from 1991 to the present. Be persuasive   and coherent with sound reasoning; have examples based on solid   research.   Weight: 30%

Thoroughly and coherently   discussed four   clear examples from the proper time frame (at least one example being from   the last ten years). The discussion is persuasive and with sound reasoning   and good support.

Satisfactorily discussed four   clear examples from the proper time frame. Examples are based on good   research and are relevant to the thesis.

Partially discussed four examples   from the proper time frame. The examples might not be as relevant or as well   researched as they should be.

Insufficiently discussed four   examples from the right time frame. The examples might not all have clear   relevance to the thesis or strong support from research and reason.

Did not submit or incompletely   discussed four examples from the correct time period. The examples covered   are not supported by research and reason.

3. Explain clearly and   persuasively why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be a weaker   view.   Weight: 20%

Thoroughly and clearly explained   why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view.   Used persuasive reasoning or clear examples.

Satisfactorily explained why the   opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view.

Partially explained why the   opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view. The   reasoning or examples might be flawed.

Insufficiently explained why the   opposing view to yours would be in error or would be the weaker view. The   reasoning or examples might be flawed.

Did not submit or incompletely   explained why the opposing view to yours would be in error or would be a   weaker view.

4. Discuss effectively the ways   that the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace   or desired profession. Weight: 20%

Thoroughly and effectively   discussed how the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your   workplace or desired profession.

Satisfactorily discussed how the   history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or   desired profession

Partially discussed how the   history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or   desired profession

Insufficiently discussed how the   history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your workplace or   desired profession.

Did not submit or incompletely   discussed how the history you have covered shapes or impacts issues in your   workplace or desired profession.

5. Used the MINIMUM of FOUR   references, drawing from the list provided (or from our online Library). The   class text is one of the sources used. References are listed at the end and   matching in-text citations are used.   Weight: 10%

Meets at least the minimum number   of required references; all references high quality choices. Sources are   listed at the end and also cited in the body of the paper. Solid research is   evident.

Meets minimum number of required   references; most references come from the list provided or the University   library.

Does not meet the required number   of references; some references poor quality choices or not from the list   provided or the University library.

Does not meet the required number   of references; Insufficient on the reference list or in-text citations.

No references provided

6. Writing and Presentation:      Used good grammar. Presentation shows clarity, reason, and critical thinking   with proper writing mechanics. SWS format is used for reference entries,   in-text citations, paper layout, and organization. Instructions   followed.   Weight: 10%

0–2 errors.

3–4 errors.

5–6 errors.

7–8 errors.

More than 8 errors present

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