Paper #2 Topic
Imagine that there are two candidates for the
position of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, an elected post in
Using the materials provided in The Scopes Trial:
A Brief History With Documents, prepare an essay
for this purpose. In particular,
identify the views of Darrow and Bryan with respect to:
1. the purposes of
public education (particularly at the high school
level),
2. the proper locus of
control (e.g., parents, teachers, local community);
3. the role of experts in
education.
Then tell us which candidate we should support, and
why you think so. (Don’t waffle or
suggest that they are really saying the same things. They disagree.)
Your essay should be in the range of three to five pages, typed,
double-spaced, 12-point font. Be
sure to make direct references to the views of Bryan and Darrow as stated in the
primary sources (provide page numbers for each reference). The introduction is very useful, but is
no substitute for the documents themselves. A paper that simply rehashes the
introduction won’t be adequate.
The course should provide everything you need. The use of other materials
of any kind is strongly discouraged because it will require extra time and will
divert you from the primary sources.
If you do consult any other materials, provide a works-consulted page
with full bibliographic data.
The quality of your presentation (e.g., appearance, grammar, word
selection, punctuation) is important. Take pride in your work and express
yourself as precisely as you can.
And remember that the paper you submit mist be entirely your own
work.
The deadline is Friday April 7 at 5:00 P.M
Something to keep in mind:
the focus here is on views about education, not on Darwin or the Scopes
Trial or the