Paper Topic Choices
Directions:
Papers should be typed, double spaced, 12 font,
regular margins. They should be 4-5
pages in length. They should rely on
quotes and citations from the readings to make your argument. They should be written by you! Don’t be late, or I won’t read your paper.
- During
most of the class I have asked you to find examples of American political
thought illustrated in popular culture.
This is the approach Matthews takes in his book. Now I would like
you to reverse the process. Examine Matthew’s book and find passages that
are illustrative of the academic writers you have examined in class. In
other words, when Matthews talks about the “lone hero” or the “common man”
or the “constant rebel” which academic writer is he most reflecting and
why?
- Using
any three presidential inaugural addresses, I want you to examine the
rhetoric for symbolism that reflects the themes we have studied in this
class. Analyze how presidents have used classic American political thought
to push ideas and policies. You will want to examine at least one
Republican and one Democratic speech. (Spring
2005 Topic)
You can find a copy of every Inaugural
Address at http://janda.org/politxts/Inaugural%20Addresses/table.html
- Using
all of the readings that you can, explore and support the idea the
Americans both fear and love “the masses.”
- You
may come up with your own paper topic if you choose. However, it needs to be cleared with me
FIRST.