Consider why historians disagree about the significance and purpose of memorials/monuments.
Consider why historians disagree about the significance and purpose of memorials/monuments. For example, are monuments considered works of art and protected by the first amendment or they considered public history and required to uphold certain standards?
2. Identify potential solutions to existing public history controversies. Your essay should explain which solution has worked well for one particular city/display site, and then contrast this example with one solution that has not worked well in another city/display site.
3. Offer your research-based opinion regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the source that left the greatest impression with you. Did you find this source credible? Well-researched? Objective? Solution-oriented? While you may think this is the best source, are there any drawbacks or flaws in this particular source, and if so, what?
? Step Two: Begin Research. Read and Compare the following MANDATORY scholarly viewpoints listed here. You should utilize a minimum of four sources listed below.
1. “Convenient & Inconvenient Monuments,” by Gene Dattel in Literary Reference Center (EBSCO)
2. “Government Controls Donated Park Monument Message,” by James Kozlowski (EBSCO)
3. “What is a Monument to Massasoit Doing in Kansas City? The Memory Work of Monuments and Place
in Public Displays of History,” by Jean O’Brien and Lisa Blee (EBSCO)
4. “Exploring African American, Latino, and Asian Motivations to Visit a Heritage Site: A Case Study of
George Washington Carver National Monument,” by Le, Lena, Sandra De Urioste-Stone, and Nancy C. Holmes (EBSCO)
5. Statement on Confederate Monuments” https://www.historians.org/news-and-advocacy/aha- advocacy/aha-statement-on-confederate-monuments
6. General Zaragoza State Historic Site: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/general-zaragoza- state-historic-site#:~:text=Zaragoza.,Parks%20Board%20in%20September%201961
7. “Are Museums the Right Home for Confederate Monuments” https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/are-museums-right-home-confederate-monuments- 180968969/
? Step Three: Find additional supporting sources. Find two credible supporting sources related to solutions. There are more solutions than those mentioned in the above articles. Many cities have already started addressing the controversy with local laws, funding projects, innovative plans for recontextualizing the public space. You should comment on the quality of the solution, which might mean highlighting errors in thinking, weaknesses in strategy, or studying the public reaction to the solution.
Formatting and Organization: The essay must be typed and follow college writing standards, e.g. no fragments, use appropriate grammar, develop an introductory statement and provide a conclusion, etc. No title page necessary. Your font should be either 11 or 12 pt. Your spacing should 1.15 or 1.5 and margins should be reasonable. Do not use texting language. Spell out numbers.
Your sources (4 mandatory + 2 your choice = minimum of six sources) should be both footnoted and included in a works cited section at the end of your essay. A footnote should exist at the end of a sentence ONLY when
a quote has been included in the sentence, otherwise, the footnote should exist at the end of the paragraph. Any acronyms or data that need to be further clarified may also be included in the footnote. See the screenshots and tips file for more assistance.
Sources should be provided in Chicago Style format. Purdue is a useful online site to assist with formatting citations.
Purdue Citation Resource:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatting_and_style_guide/chicago_manual_of
_style_17th_edition.html
Some of you may be less comfortable with a major writing assignment. You are welcome to use the outline provided below, but this is completely optional.
How should I organize my essay?
I. Introductory paragraph should include the following:
a. Clarification about the issue (monument controversy not easily addressed by regional cultures, history, community government, or among historians). You may want to dedicate 1-3 sentences to help the reader understand the extent of this controversy. A quote from a participant in the controversy makes for an interesting opening statement.
b. Clarification about the two sites you will contrast. Where are these two locations?
c. Clarification about what the essay will conclude. (WRITE THIS STATEMENT LAST, AFTER YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR EVIDENCE IS ACTUALLY GOING TO SUPPORT. RESEARCH WILL TAKE YOU IN NEW DIRECTIONS SO DO NOT SET OUT TO PROVE YOUR CURRENT POSITION.)
i. Ex: This essay will demonstrate that preserving monuments is most supported by historians…..
ii. Ex: This essay will demonstrate that public history personnel should modify future instillations to meet certain expectations….
iii. Ex: This essay will conclude that not enough evidence has been gathered from communities where new monument policies have been implemented….
iv. Ex: This essay will demonstrate that scholar ‘x’ has presented objective solutions….
v. Ex: This essay will argue monuments are a form of free speech and should not be altered….
vi. Ex: This essay will conclude that monuments representing antiquated values should be moved to privately-funded spaces, rather than publicly-funded sites.
II. Body Paragraph # 1 — What is the purpose of monuments and why is there a lack of consensus among experts and scholars?
a. Be sure to clarify organizations, scholars, artists by name. Avoid vague pronouns, e.g. they, him, etc.
b. Integrate footnotes. Follow footnote guidelines in the tutorial section of BB.
c. Offer at least two viewpoints and explain those viewpoints thoroughly.
III. Body Paragraph # 2 – Discuss solutions.
a. Offer a general description of solutions to the monuments controversy.
b. Apply to City/Site #1
i. Make certain you clarify the setting/time period for this location’s controversy.
ii. Clarify the opposing factions on either side, i.e. artist versus city council. Explain the position of both/all sides.
iii. Explain the solution applied in this location. What was the impact of this solution?
c. Apply to City/Site #2
i. Make certain you clarify the setting/time period for this location’s controversy.
ii. Clarify the opposing factions on either side, i.e. artist versus city council. Explain the position of both/all sides. You may use a monument example that lacks controversy if you can clearly explain what sets it apart from the national debate.
iii. Explain the solution applied in this location. What was the impact of this solution?
d. Which city/site offered the best approach and why?
e. Again, be clear about your experts and sources. Offer your reader information about their job or experience…why are they qualified to discuss this topic?
f. Be careful about how you jump back and forth between cities /sites. Make sure the reader can follow your train of thought.
IV. Body Paragraph # 3 should dig deeper two sources.
a. Which two sources were most useful to your work?
b. Does the evidence presented in these sources make sense? Can you find the evidence or other sources that confirm what they have said? Is this a reputable publication company?
c. Clarify the flaws you find in either of the two sources.
d. Which source is superior and why? Try not to be redundant.
V. Body Paragraph # 4 should be written in first person and clarify your personal evolution of thought.
a. What did you think about the monuments controversy prior to doing this research?
b. Has your thinking changed, and if so, how? If your thinking has not changed then do you feel you have better evidence to support your original position? Are you armed with information in a way that you were not prior to this research? If your viewpoint has evolved, please describe why you think your thoughts have shifted.
VI. Conclusion
a. Restate the issue
b. Restate which solution was most appropriate in your view.
c. Would you recommend others research this topic or not?
You may find that the information in the last two paragraphs overlaps. Try not to be redundant. Determine how you want to clarify your position, the impact of this topic to you, and why others should think more deeply about this topic.
Access the rubric to see how I will grade this assignment.
Don’t forget footnotes!!!! Essays without source citations will not receive credit.
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