The final exam will be a take-home essay format. On Monday, December 5 I will post on the website (in the Final Exam section under Assignments) a list of essay questions in two categories. You must answer one question from the Big Picture category (designed for you to demonstrate your engagement with the readings and discussions covered over the whole semester) and one from the Case Study category (a detailed analysis of one particular part of the course).

You should answer each of your two chosen questions with a separate essay that makes an argument using historical evidence.
You must give citations using either footnotes or parenthetical citations. If you do not give a citation, you will not receive credit for the information.
To cite a primary or secondary source, include at least author, title and page number. (publication information is not required for this assignment). To cite a class lecture or discussion, write: (Class lecture, [date of class period]).

Submit your essays via turnitin.com by 4:30 pm on Monday, Dec. 12.
Early submissions are appreciated. Late submissions will be penalized 2% per hour late, including overnight. After Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 4:30, I will not accept submissions at all.
Your essays should be around 500-1000 words each in length (1-3 typed pgs each).
Each essay is worth 50% of the exam total.

Your essays will be graded on:
1. How well they make a clear, organized argument that provides a useful, insightful observation or answer to the question.
2. How well they support the argument using specific details from assigned readings and course activities over the whole semester, with citations.

Exhibit Proposal presentations (details under Assignments)

Written proposal due Dec. 1 on turnitin.com

Steven Burg, “From Troubled Ground to Common Ground” (16 pg)

To guide your reading:

The first section of the body of the article is about the history of the cemetery; how does that section make connections between the cemetery itself and the larger historical context?

We will try to enumerate as many distinctive needs and/or contributions as possible to the process made by different entities: the Cemetery Committee; Burg; his students (over several semesters); other experts, societies, government agencies, the press, the larger community, etc. (That is, look for specific needs/obstacles and how they were met or overcome. But sometimes Burg describes how someone helped without listing the problem in advance, so also look for how people helped).

How did the relationship or social dynamics between these different entities develop? What were points of conflict or ingredients in success?

What historical values or measures of success are mentioned in the article? (That is, how do we know that this public history is “good”?) Remember that different parts of the community might evaluate success differently—what makes different groups happy? What does Burg say were the most important accomplishments?

Site Evaluation #2 due (written report on turnitin and oral report in class) details under Assignments.

Reading Reflection due via turnitin (on Gonzales field trip); details under Assignments.

Bring your worksheet to class with you!

Please be sure to read the "Battle of Gonzales" entries below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gonzales

and in case you think that's "too liberal":

"Battle of Gonzales" on Texas Handbook of History online