Michael R. H. Swanson, Ph. D.
Office: GHH 215
Hours: M, W, F, 11:00 - 1:00
Phone: 254-3230
Optional Take-home Examination.
Due Wednesday, May 14, the last day of the Final Exam Period. by Midnight.
The rules: I will grade this exam as a regular final exam.- but it serves as extra credit.
•Grades of C+ or above will affect your semester’s grade positively
•C or below will not affect your grade
•B- or C+= raise grade 1/3 point
•B or B + raise grade 2/3 point
•A- or A raise the grade full letter.
The Problem: Since at least the days of de Tocqueville, scholars and historians have been fascinated with the idea of American Character. What are Americans really like? One supposes it is fair to say that the national character has its best side and its worst side: persons, publications, events, photographs works of art or caricature, deeds, etc., illustrate the best and worst in us in every era, and the Gilded Age would be no exception. So...
- If you were to choose three persons, places, or things which represent the best of American Character and three things which represent the worst of American Character in the Gilded Age, what would they be and why would you choose them?
- Feel free to illustrate your exam if you so wish, and remember, you're writing as yourself, and not as your alter-ego.