History 397F                                                             University of Massachusetts, Amherst

L. Lovett

 

Paper #2 Assignment

 

 

For this assignment, you will be asked to write a brief (4-5 page) essay on one of the Options described below. Your paper must have a signed cover sheet (available at http://people.umass.edu/llovett/cover.html). 

 

Please review the paper Writing Guidelines for this course before you begin to research or write. (Available at http://people.umass.edu/llovett/writing.html.)

 

 

Option A:  DUE In Class Tuesday October 18, 2005

 

Interpretative Analysis

 

Below are a selection of documents all proposing solutions to various

disability related problems.  They are selected from a broad chronological

period and reflect the language and sensibility of their day.

 

All of the writers of these documents describe ways  of resolving

problems concerning disability in some way.  Using the documents below describe how some aspect of disability was represented as problematic.  How and why did these perspectives on  disability shift from 1899 to 1966?

 

In your essay you may want  to consider the following:

 

How do these documents use disability  as a category?  Is there a relationship between a 'crippled child' and someone with 'mental

retardation', for example?

 

What is the context for each document?  Why are the authorŐs addressing disability?

 

 

Option B: :  DUE In Class Tuesday October 25, 2005

 

Narrative Development

 

Approaching this paper as an editor who is developing an anthology,  or,

as a curator who is developing a museum exhibition.  You have a limited space to tell a compelling story with original sources.

 

Select two documents from the listed group below.  Identify a historical theme relevant to these documents.  Your task in this Option is to develop a historical narrative by finding five additional primary sources and discussing how they allow you to build a thematic interpretation.

 

 

For each of the five additional sources you choose, you will need to describe the content and context of that source and how it allows you to develop your chosen theme.  The primary sources you choose may be documents, illustrations, photographs, or films.  The Disability History Museum has a rich collection for you to explore.

 

 

Documents:

(Print using the Printer Friendly  link in the DHM.)

 

http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/lib/docs/2026.htm?page=print  Relation of

Philanthropy To Social Order And Progress

 

http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/lib/docs/579.htm?page=print: Hopes and Aims of "Daddy Allen"

 

http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/lib/docs/2148.htm  An Address On Rehab

 

http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/lib/docs/1591.htm The Roots Of Social Security

 

http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/lib/docs/1465.htm?page=print  Report On A Study Of Rehabilitation

 

http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/lib/docs/1722.htm  Are We Retarding The

Retarded?