First Assignment, Fall 2023

 Choose one:

1. Find a recent (since September 2022) speech, article, or document (e.g., court decision) that discusses the Declaration of Independence. Follow Danielle Allen's example and do a "slow read." With close attention to word choice, analyze the purpose of this piece of writing. That is, who is saying what to whom, and with what motive? Carefully explain the reference to the Declaration. Why is it there? Is it accurate?

2. Do the same with a speech or document that quotes (or purports to quote) Tocqueville. (And it is okay to pick one that discusses both Tocqueville and the Declaration.)

Here are some sites where you can find speeches and documents:

• Select Nexis Uni from the Honnold database page: https://library.claremont.edu/database-directory/.  Click on the link Advanced Search from the homepage.  The Click on News in the Select a Specific Content Type drop-down. Enter transcript in the Publication Type box.  Then add your remaining search terms in the search box.
• http://congressional.proquest.com/congressional/search/basic/basicsearch -- click"advanced search," then under "document types" deselect everything except Congressional Record Daily Edition.
• http://www.whitehouse.gov
• https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents 
• https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/oral_arguments.aspx
• https://www.c-span.org/quickguide/

Instructions:

• Document your claims. Do not write from the top of your head.
• Essays should be double-spaced and no more than three pages long. I will not read past the third page.
• Essays should be in the form of Word documents.  Do not submit pdfs or Google docs.
• Cite your sources with endnotes in Chicago/Turabian style. Endnote pages do not count against the page limit.
• Do not use ChatGPT or any other generative AI. Misrepresenting AI-generated content as your own work is plagiarism.  It will result in a referral to the Academic Standards Committee.  You do not want to start your college career this way.
• Watch your spelling, grammar, diction, and punctuation. Errors will count against you.
• Turn in essays to the class Sakai dropbox by 11:59 PM, Friday, September 22. I reserve the right to dock essays a gradepoint for one day’s lateness, a full letter grade after that.