In this unit we’ve examined some “big ideas” that contributed to refugee crises in world history. Metageography and the invention of continents was one of those big ideas. Concepts of self-determination and nationalisms were another. For the conclusion of this unit you will write a short essay that brings together these big ideas, as well as allows you to practice skills you have acquired throughout the course thus far and embark on ones you have not yet. For example, you have already practiced drawing upon important evidence to support your responses to Discussion Post prompts. Primary Source Annotation assignments have taught you how to read and contextualize old historical documents. And Library Research Assignment 1 demonstrated how to locate relevant news stories and make some connections between the past and present. You will carry all of these skills into writing the Short Paper, with the addition of creating an argument and synthesizing a variety of sources.
Assignment Objectives
- Form a scholarly argument
- Practice reading, analyzing, and synthesizing a variety of sources
- Provide appropriate evidence to support a scholarly argument
- Make connections between the past and the present
Prompt:
How do the refugee crises of Asia and Africa in the latter half of the 20th century reveal assumptions that humans have developed about what kinds of people deserve to live in what kinds of locations on this planet? How does a historical understanding of these things help us make sense of refugee crises today?
Directions:
Your essay should provide a central argument in the form of an answer to the questions in the prompt that will drive the entire essay. The body paragraphs should draw upon the evidence in Chapters 4 and 5 of Ruptured Lives. Include at least one reference to at least one of the primary sources linked below. In the conclusion of the essay, suggest at least one way that understanding this history can help us address refugee crises today, referring to a recent news article on the subject (use Google News or return to Library Research Assignment 1 for the link to the newspaper database to find a pertinent article).
The Train to PakistanDownload The Train to Pakistan
Interview with Muhammad Sa’idDownload Interview with Muhammad Sa’id
From Citizen to RefugeeDownload From Citizen to Refugee
Unity and Effective SolidarityDownload Unity and Effective Solidarity
Papers should employ proper mechanics of writing, be double-spaced, 12-point font, use footnote citations, and be 2-3 pages long. Headings, subtitles, and a bibliography are not required. Review the rubric for more detail on grade breakdown.
Students who need help with creating footnotes may wish to visits the following sites: