Assignment 1
In the 1890s, political cartoons provided important commentary on the major economic, political, and social issues of the day. Cartoon artists employed symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy, and irony to express their viewpoint.
Select one of the following cartoons:
- The Big Stick in the Caribbean Sea (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Tr-bigstick-cartoon.JPG
- School Begins (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/School_Begins_%28Puck_Magazine_1-25-1899%29.jpg
Look closely at the cartoon you have selected and write down your initial reactions, you will not need to include these initial reactions your assignment, but they will help you complete the assignment once you have finished the exercise.
Then go to the Chapter 4, Section 4.3 of the textbook and look at the activity “Analyzing Primary Sources.” You will find it under the section on Yellow Journalism. (This is very important.) Please note you will not be able to view this on some devices and will need to use a computer.
After completing the activity, answer the following items:
- Explain the character(s) in the cartoon.
- Describe the symbols and actions the artist employs in the cartoon.
- Describe the issues the cartoon raises.
- Analyze and explain what the cartoon says about the consequences of the Spanish American War for the countries occupied.
- Describe how your understanding of the cartoon changed after doing the analysis portion of this exercise.
The combined answers should be one page, including your reference list. Your answers to these questions should be accurate, thorough, and written in complete sentences. Be sure to cite the textbook at least once and reference the textbook in APA formatting. If you need more guidance, you can read this Sample Assignment
Assignment 2: 150 words
Write: This discussion forum is an opportunity for you to explore topics that interest you, share critical insights and questions that you are working with, share your struggles and triumphs, and discuss difficulties that may have arisen this week, hopefully finding solutions. Your initial post should describe your experiences in the course this past week, prompting further discussion. You should address at least two of the following questions:
- What struck you in particular as you explored the course materials this week?
- What insights have you had?
- What have you been struggling with?
- What questions have come up for you at this point?
- Do you have any helpful tips that you’ve picked up in this course or in a past course?
- Do you have questions about the assignment that your classmates might be able to help with? (If you have a question for the instructor, be sure to contact your instructor through email or in the Ask Your Instructor Forum).
You are required to post at least 150 total words
Assignment 3: 250 words
Prepare: Read Chapters 7, 8 and 9 of the textbook. Find a primary source from the 1920s that is related to the group that you chose for your Final Project and that you can use in your Final Project. You may use one of the primary sources listed this week, or you may find your own. Complete the “Analyzing Primary Sources” activity in Chapter 8, section 8.1 of your textbook to help you think about and understand your primary source.
Write: Based on information from your textbook and your analysis of the primary source you chose, answer the following:
- What primary source did you choose and what event does it focus on?
- Why was this event important, and how does it fit into the conflicts and changes of the 1920s?
- What does your primary source tell you about the event? And what does it not tell you?
- How does the event you chose relate to your Final Project topic?
- The 1920s were a time of much prosperity for some groups in American Society until the Depression. How was your chosen group impacted by the Great Depression?