FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE

History 270

Your Final Exam is on Monday, May 20 (4-6 pm) and will consist of three parts:

Part I - You will be given 5 terms and will write on 3 (20 points each, 60 points total).
            Part II - A short essay question (2-3 paragraphs) drawn from one or more of the terms below (60 points).
            Part III - One long essay question chosen by the instructor  (130 points).

My Ground Rules:

Essays

One of the following questions will appear on your final exam.  Answer it in as much detail as you can.  Points will be awarded based on coherence, specificity, and the quality of the argument made. 

1. Is history a weapon?  Some would argue that its purpose should be to create higher self-esteem and self-respect among disadvantaged ethnic/racial groups.  Others (such as Schlesinger) argue that this is the wrong approach to history and is in fact a racist approach.  Assess this debate in detail and offer your own perspective as to which side you fall on.
   
2. Compare and contrast the so-called "New" Immigration of the period 1890-1924 with the "New, New" immigration of the years since 1965, taking a good look at both the origins and economic status of the immigrants and the responses of the American societies that were receiving them. (Focus particular attention in the post-1965 era on our discussions of L.A. and Monterey Park.)
   
3. Schlesinger quotes sociologist Lawrence Fuchs as saying, "No nation in history had proved as successful as the United States in managing ethnic diversity.  No nation before had ever made diversity itself a source of national identity and unity."  Considering the political and social issues we have discussed in the context of racial/ethnic relations in post-World War II America, do you agree or disagree with Fuchs' assessment.

Terms

You will write a detailed 1-2 paragraph essay for each of 3 terms in which you address the following questions:  who, what, where, when, and SIGNIFICANCE (why it is important).  Points will be awarded on the basis of coherence and specificity.