Term Paper
US Since 1865
Eyes on the Prize Civil Rights Reader Paper Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is for you to choose a theme or an event on
the beliefs of an individual or a group pertaining to the modern civil rights
movement and explore that theme or event by using the primary documents in
The Eyes on the Prize Civil Rights Reader.
This Assignment requires you to analyze these documents, draw out what you
think the larger meaning is of each one, and use it as proof for your argument.
You will need to read the introductions of each chapter so that you
can contextualize the documents that you use. I would also like you
to provide some historical context for the topic you end up exploring. You
can use the textbooks or other scholarly sources to provide a general historical
context for your topic.
Don't forget to cite whatever sources that you use. Please use
the standard citation format for your discipline.
For History that would entail using footnotes or end notes, see A Pocket
Guide to Writing in History.
Your paper should be 4-6 pages.
Possible Topics:
The principles and meaning of non-violent
direct action
The role of SNCC in the modern civil
rights movement
The importance of gaining the vote
to civil rights activists
The role of MLK Jr. in the modern civil
rights movement
The role of Malcom X in the modern
civil rights movement
Generational differences between non-violent
direct action and black power
The role of the FBI in destabilizing
civil rights organizations.
Amy Ward
Term Paper
US Since 1865
Spring 2003