Biographical essay on a fictional character who turned 18 years old in 1760 and lived until 1805 or who turned 18 years old in 1820 and lived until 1865.
You will prepare a five-part (1000-word minimum) biographical essay on a fictional character who turned 18 years old in 1760 and lived until 1805 or who turned 18 years old in 1820 and lived until 1865. (Instructors may choose or allow you to select another relevant era)
2. You may choose your character’s place of birth within colonial North America or the United States (or perhaps as a young immigrant to North America), gender, ethnicity, race, religion, class, occupation, and overall personality traits.
3. Your character may not die prematurely.
4. Your character cannot alter the course of history in any fundamental way.
5. Your assignment will consist of the following parts:
a. Part I (100 words minimum): Utilizing your course readings and materials, introduce your character in two or three paragraphs. Provide historically- accurate and meaningful details regarding your character’s name, date and place of birth, current place of residence, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, class, and other relevant personal detail and information. In addition, create an avatar of your character and explain why you chose the characteristics depicted. (COM)
b. Part II (250 words minimum): Identify one major historically relevant ethical dilemma or moral choice that your character faced in the time-period your character is living through. Explain how the ethical issue relates to historical events and how they impact your character, his or her everyday experiences, and your character’s world and ethical view(s). (SLO1; CT; COM)
c. Part III (250 words minimum): Analyze one primary source document relevant to the ethical dilemma your character is struggling with. Examine the historical and ethical issues raised within the primary-source document and explain how the ideas or issues raised within the primary-source document would have reinforced or challenged your character’s world view, ethical values, and/or historical perspective. (SLO2; CT; COM)
d. Part IV (200 words minimum): Explain how your character has decided to respond to the ethical dilemma at hand and why he or she responded in the way you identified. Elucidate how your character’s cultural background and historical setting (<link is hidden> the historical, social, political, economic, cultural and global forces), and the broader conceptions of ethical behavior embedded within, shaped your character’s response. Consider at least one of the following: (1) your character’s conception(s) of civic responsibility; (2) your character’s understanding of importance and role of the democratic process; (3) your character’s respect for social justice, fairness, and difference; (4) your character’s experiences with prejudice, racial or gender discrimination, and/or economic and social marginalization. (SLO3; SR; COM)
e. Part V (200 words minimum): Last, elucidate on how your character’s understanding of self and his or her related personal values influenced their response to the ethical dilemma faced and/or was altered by the historical events of the era he or she experienced. (PR; COM)
Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, and 1000 words (minimum) in length*.
2. You must submit your essay into Canvas by the assignment due date set by the instructor.
3. Your paper must draw from and cite a minimum of 1 secondary and 1 primary source document*. Individual instructors may elect to require specific or additional sources.
4. Use appropriate in-text citations and a complete bibliography, formatted according to the most recent edition of an academic citation style (<link is hidden> MLA/APA/Turabian/Chicago Manual of Style).
5. Papers will be graded according to the essay rubric posted online and below.
Biographical essay on a fictional character who turned 18 years old in 1760 and lived until 1805 or who turned 18 years old in 1820 and lived until 1865
