Topic and Proposal

Assignment Expectations: As part of your Research Project, the first assignment requirement expects students to write and submit a topic proposal.  Students must select a topic within the historical parameters of the course, History of the United States since 1865. Consider a person, event or idea that you want to learn more about within the context of this class. My suggestion is that you think about a topic that is related to your area of study at UMGC. You can also skim through the Learning Resources section of each week under Content in our LEO class site to get some ideas. Or you can continue scrolling to the end of this learning block for a list of ideas. The list provided is by no means exhaustive, just some ideas to get you started. You can also email your instructor for suggestions or help narrowing down a topic idea. Just note, as this project is one you’ll be living with for the term, you should find a topic that interests you before setting out on the project itself. 
Assignment Directions: Once you have selected a topic, students will need to write a short proposal for instructor approval. Your topic proposal should be typed in a word document, doubled spaced with a minimum word count of 100 words. In this proposal, students should explain what topic they selected and why. Your proposal must include a working thesis statement with the understanding that it may be slightly modified later in the research process. Should you have further questions about submitting this proposal, please do not hesitate to reach out to your instructor. 
Students should also make sure that their topic is not too broad. A topic on the Civil War or Salem Witch Trials is fantastic but might be a bit overwhelming as one gets further into research. Consider narrowing down your topic a bit. For instance, you might research medicine during the Civil War or the accusers involved in the Salem Witch trials. 
Submitting Your Work: Students can submit their work under Topic and Proposal directions. Click on this assignment, scroll to the bottom of the page where you see “Add Attachments,” and then attach assignment here. Students can also submit this assignment through the Assignment tab. Students will also see the rubric attached to this assignment. Please make sure to review the rubric before submitting your final draft.
Potential Topics:
Accounting/Business

Railroads
The Silver Movement (late 19th century)
The 16th Amendment
The Ford Assembly Line
The Great Depression

Environmental Studies/Management

Teddy Roosevelt and the National Park system
The Dust Bowl
Rachel Carson
The Clean Air and Clean Water Acts

Criminal Justice

Alcohol and Drug control
Al Capone
Prohibition
Richard Nixon and the War on Drugs

Education/any subject

Higher Education for Women
Mandatory public education
The Original GI Bill and Its Impact
Brown v Board of Education

Women

Women’s Rights Movement
19th Amendment
League of Women Voters
Alice Paul Amendment
The Pill
Phyllis Schlafly

African Americans

Reconstruction Amendments
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois
NAACP
Double V Movement
Civil Disobedience Movements of the 1950s and 1960s (think of Rosa Parks and Montgomery or the SCLC or the SNCC)
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X
Black Panthers