• Write a letter from the perspective of a person who lived through an important historical event, innovation, or movement during the 19th or 20th century. Describe that event, innovation, or movement as if you were someone who actually experienced it, and discuss the potential impact of historical events on the future.
Old pictures are a joy to look at, aren’t they? A trip down memory lane just isn’t complete without a glance at those moments of smiling faces, silly candid shots, and priceless memories captured at weddings, births, and holidays. When we examine the past of our own lives, we do so with all of the knowledge and experience we have now. In other words, we’re looking at the past from a future perspective.
When it comes to the study of history, considering historical events from our own, current perspective can be dangerous, as doing so can lead us to make erroneous decisions and assumptions about the world. By thinking critically about the past and adopting the perspective of those who experienced it, you will be practicing your problem-solving and agility skills, which will help youmake better decisions in this course and your future.
• Essential Skills
Using your agility skill requires examining the world through the lens of multiple personal perspectives while also placing those individual viewpoints in their larger social and historical contexts. Like the women who succeeded in their quest to secure voting rights, access to birth control, and workplace rights, when you are agile you are better able to understand multiple sides of an issue and thus develop a uniquely tailored solution.
In your professional life, you will encounter many situations where you’ll need to evaluate historical context and cause and impact before you make a decision. That might mean trying to decipher why a past business decision was ineffective, considering a patient’s medical history, or looking at the professional successes in your own life so you can replicate your accomplishments in the future. Whatever the situation, your ability to step outside yourself and consider other perspectives is critical to staying agile every day and solving problems personally and professionally.
Skill Application
How does practicing your agility skill set you up for success? In this document, you’ll travel through time to discover why agility is an essential skill for leaders. And, you’ll evaluate situations where a lack of agility has contributed to failure
• Overview
For this assessment, imagine you are a person living through an important historical event, innovation, or movement during the 19th or 20th century—one that emerged to solve a problem or that created problems of its own. Write a letter describing that event, innovation, or movement as if you were someone who actually experienced it. For example, you could write from the perspective of someone who was part of the women’s suffrage movement in the 1910s, a member of the Underground Railroad in the 1850s, or a soldier in the Vietnam War during the Tet Offensive in 1968.
Preparation
Explore a particular historical event, innovation, or movement from the 19th or 20th century that interests you. Refer to the chapter readings in the Resources for options from which you may wish to choose.
Instructions
Step 1: Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.
• Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement that happened during the 19th or 20th century from the perspective of someone who lived in that time (either a real person or fictionalized).
Step 2: Explain the personal impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on that person.
• You can also discuss the impact of the historical event, innovation, or movement on the family and/or community of the person.
Step 3: Explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement and potential solutions to that problem.
• For example, if you are writing as a member of the Underground Railroad in the mid-19th century, you might discuss your thoughts on addressing the problem of slavery. Similarly, if you are writing as someone who experienced the Great Depression, you might examine the factors that caused this crisis and ways to address such economic problems.
Step 4: Describe the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.
• Reflect on how the event might impact the future. For example, if you are writing as someone experiencing the Cold War, consider how those living at the height of Cold War tensions might have viewed the future.
Step 5: Write coherently with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Additional Requirements
Your submission should meet the following requirements:
• Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.• Citations and formatting: Include a title page formatted according to APA Style and Format guidelines. Citing sources is not required for this assessment, but be sure to write in your own words based on your knowledge of the time period.• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.• Length: 3–5 pages of text (in addition to the title page).
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
• Competency 2: Determine the causes and long-term impacts of an historical event. o Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.o Explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time.o Describe the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.• Competency 3: Explain lessons learned from U.S. historical events and their potential influence on a current problem or situation. o Explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem. • Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and relevant to its purpose and audience. o Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.• Living History Scoring Guide
Living History Scoring Guide
Criteria
Non-performance
Basic
Proficient
Distinguished
Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.
Does not describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.
Attempts to describe an historical event, innovation, or movement but doesn’t do so from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.
Describes an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.
Describes an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time, giving specific examples.
Explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time.
Does not explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time.
Attempts to explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time, but the explanation is incomplete or inaccurate.
Explains the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time.
Explains the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time, using specific examples.
Describe the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.
Does not identify the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.
Identifies the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event, but provides little description.
Describes the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.
Describes the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event, using specific examples.
Explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem.
Does not explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem.
Attempts to explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem, but the explanation is incomplete or inaccurate.
Explains the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem.
Explains the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem and specific evidence.
Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Does not write in a well-organized and concise manner.
Writing is unclear, wordy, or disconnected, with errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Writes in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Organizes content so clarity is enhanced and all ideas flow logically and smoothly. Writes concisely, precisely, and directly, with nearly flawless adherence to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.