Semester Blog Project Assignment

Introduction: To this point, much of our study of history has been based upon learning facts and connecting periods of time into one continuous series of events. Although tracing these people and events has been our main focus, there is another very important aspect of history that we have not yet fully explored. This is the element of argument and interpretation. This semester we will be investigating many of the most controversial and pivotal events of the 20^th Century. In doing so, there is seldom only one correct understanding of the way events transpired and their significance. To address this critical area of history, we are going to apply 21^st Century methods to the problems of the previous 100 years by writing and contributing to our own web logs, or “blogs”.

Assignment: Over the course of this semester, each student will be responsible for creating their own blog site on which to write 4 researched articles covering and expressing an opinion of events within 4 different time periods. In addition, each student will be responsible for contributing critical commentary to 5 of their peers’ articles over each time period. The blogs should be visually appealing and appropriate for the subject matter. They should include pictures, links, video clips, and anything else that would help others both learn about the topic and understand the argument.

Required Elements:

Blog Site:

Go to blogger.com to set up a free blog site. Explore the different templates and create a site that is visually appealing and reflects your historical interests.

Articles:

Each article should be between 500 and 750 words. You will write 1 article for each of 4 different time periods ranging from 1919 to the present. Your article should be well researched, including at least 3 links to other arguments and resources. The article should present facts, but mainly offer an argument as to the significance of those facts (this is not a book report, it’s an editorial!).

Comments:

In addition to writing your own journal, you must read and comment on at least 5 of your peers’ articles for each of the 4 writing sessions. The comments should be critical and academic, feel free to engage in discussion with your classmates!

Due Dates and Rubric

Blog Topic #1: Between the Wars (1919-1939)

Topic Choice due during Tutorial…………………………………………Feb 24-25

Article #1 Posting due by 8pm………………………..………………………..Mar 5

5 Peer Comments due by 8pm………………………………………………...Mar 12

Blog Topic #2: World War II (1939-1945)

Topic Choice due (no Tutorial this week)……………………………………Mar 18

Article #2 Posting due by 8pm…………………………………………..……Mar 26

5 Peer Comments due by 8pm…………………………………………………..Apr 2

Blog Topic #3: The Cold War Era (1945-1990)

Topic Choice due during Tutorial……………………………………...….Apr 14-15

Article #3 Posting due by 8pm…………………………………………...……Apr 23

5 Peer Comments due by 8pm………………………………………………...Apr 30

Blog Topic #4: The Modern World (1990-Present)

Topic Choice due during Tutorial…………………………………..……….May 5-6

Article #4 Posting due by 8pm………………………………………………..May 14

5 Peer Comments due by 8pm……………………………………….……….May 28

Grading:

Blog Site _______ 50 points

Article (100 points for each entry)

Topic Check ________ 5 points

Research ________ 5 points

Spelling/Grammar _______ 10 points

Historical Accuracy _______ 35 points

Argument Quality _______ 30 points

Peer Commentary _______ 15 points