MLS501, American Ideals in Global Perspective
Fall Semester 2004
Problem Essay #1
Ideologies
Topics
You may write your essay on either of the following topics.
Topic A
The twentieth century saw a struggle between several major competing ideologies, in particular liberalism, conservatism, fascism/nazism, and socialism/communism. What core beliefs characterize each of them? What distinguishes each ideology from the others? You may also elect to include liberation and environmental ideologies as they have evolved during the latter half of the century.
Topic B
Select any five of the philosophers whose pictures appear in the Ball and Dagger book. Your assignment is two-fold. The first is to summarize some of the key contributions each philosopher made to the ideologies discussed in the first part of the course. The second is to imagine that these philosphers reappeared in 2004 and to reflect upon what reactions they might have to contemporary the American political system, economy, and/or society more generally. What would please them? What would displease them?
Groundrules
Your essay should be in the 7-10 page range (double-spaced with normal size 12 point font).
You may use your books and class notes, but you are asked NOT to discuss your specific responses with classmates before submitting your essay.
You are NOT expected to do any additional reading or research beyond what has been assigned in the course thus far. This is an exercise in integrating insights that you have gained from the course.
No footnotes or bibliography are necessary. When referring to specific ideas from the readings, simply insert the author and page number in parentheses in the text. For example, (Ball and Dagger, p. 128).
Grades will take into account both content and composition. A review of the suggestions on Writing a Good Term Paper (course website) is recommended.
Your essay is due no later than 5:00 PM, Monday, October 4. It may be submitted electronically (as an attachment to email) or in hard copy. If submitted in hard copy, simply staple the pages to hold them together---no binders or covers please! Either way, be sure to keep a backup copy of your paper!