HIS 100 Project Template
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School
Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
100
Subject
History
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
11
Uploaded by ElderResolveFalcon28
HIS 100 Project Template(1)HIS 100 Project Template
Use this template to address the steps in your Project Guidelines and Rubric. Replace the bracketed text with your responses. Ensure that you have considered your instructor’s feedback when revising your work. Proofread the entire document before submitting.
Part 1: Creating a Research Question
1.
Describe how your assumptions, beliefs, and values influenced your choice of topic.
During my elementary school years, I was introduced to Earth Day and the concept of "reduce, reuse, and recycle". As a class project, we formed three different groups, each tasked with figuring out how to either reduce, reuse or recycle. Through this
project, we learned about the importance of contributing to help the Earth, and where our garbage goes after it is picked up by the garbage truck.
We also learned that not everything we throw away is actually trash. Some items can be compressed, and compost is a mixture of decaying organic materials that can be used to fertilize plants. The benefits of compost include providing nutrients to crops as fertilizer and acting as a soil conditioner. Overall, this project taught us the importance of
being mindful of our waste and the impact it has on the environment. Discuss the significance of your historical research question in relation to your current event.
I am reminded of the impact of Earth's current climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic on our planet. We are causing immense harm to our environment, and it is imperative that we take action to restore it. We must do this not only because we care about our world, but because we need it to survive.
During the pandemic, we saw a reduction in smog in places like California when we all had to quarantine. When the world slowed down for a moment, we were confronted with the reality of how much we, as human beings, are destroying the earth 1
and its wildlife, as well as ourselves. The pandemic made people more aware of their surroundings, causing them to wear masks, wash their hands more often, and be mindful of what they touch.
Earth Day is a day to recognize the importance of taking care of our environment. Before the pandemic, people were only reminded of this once a year. The media seldom covered topics related to environmental health. It wasn't until the pandemic hit that the media started sharing information on how to protect ourselves and the environment. Schools, jobs, and public places have all had to adapt to the new normal, changing how things used to be before the spread of the COVID-19 virus. [Insert response here.]
2.
Discuss the significance of your historical research question in relation to your current event.
Food and water insecurity have become increasingly prevalent due to the pandemic and its impact on farming practices. My historical research topic question closely relates to this issue, as the rising spread of COVID-19 has prevented many people
from working, exacerbating the threat of food and water scarcity. The veil of environmental problems looms large, with water and food insecurity being among the biggest concerns.
Due to the pandemic, farmers and workers have been struggling to cope with the loss of food and water. The pandemic has caused a slowdown, and as a result, farmers are
now prioritizing the preservation of our environment. In the first half of 2020, the USA experienced a global health and socioeconomic disruption that has not been seen in the past century. The pandemic has forced state and local governments to issue and modify stay-at-home orders and guidance, leaving millions of Americans without work.
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The pandemic-related shutdowns have affected employment opportunities,
particularly in impoverished areas that remain neglected since Earth Day in 1970. Most ghettos consist of low-income families. This made me wonder how these families can have access to proper nutrition during the pandemic, especially if they cannot work. The concept of Earth Day was first introduced by Penn State, and since Philadelphia is known
for its ghettos, I decided to focus on how Earth Day can benefit the residents of Philadelphia. Despite the fact that we have faced numerous environmental challenges since the 1970s, Earth Day remains a significant holiday. I am curious as to how Earth Day can help us in the current situation.
3.
Explain how you used sources to finalize your research question.
In my primary source, ABC News, there were several statements regarding the state of ghettos, which are predominantly inhabited by low-income people. According to the source, these areas are often considered to be the filthiest due to the lack of proper infrastructure and maintenance. Additionally, the source highlighted the concerns of racial injustice since these ghettos are mainly home to people of color. The primary source further stated that in the 1970s, the sewage plants and garbage dumps in these areas were not constructed adequately, leading to the unhealthy living conditions. Sadly, these issues still exist today. Part 2: Building Context to Address Questions
1.
Describe the context of your historical event that influenced your current event.
On April 22, 1970, Earth Day became the largest civic demonstration in modern American history, leaving an indelible impact on environmental activism. The first Earth Day, which attracted 20 million American participants across 13,000 local events, 3
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brought about a shift in corporate and government policies due to the public's demand for
clean air, water, soil, and food. It is evident that the government plays a significant role in
the issues we face. However, it is not just about Earth Day; the entire system needs a change. The government keeps secrets from the public, and this needs to be addressed. We as people need to do more research and fight against them. It is crucial that we take a firm and resolute position so that our voices are heard. We all deserve justice in every aspect of our lives, and we need to put a stop to being preyed upon by the government. The food and water crisis in the US has led to a surge in people taking a stand and acting.
It is my belief that when Earth Day was first observed, numerous laws should have been implemented to protect the planet. However, it seems that these laws were not established
until a crisis occurred. It appears that the United States only offers assistance when the entire country, especially the Caucasian population, is in a state of crisis.
2.
Describe a historical figure or group’s participation in your historical event.
Allen Ginsberg, a renowned poet, was one of the speakers at Philadelphia's inaugural Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970. He was known for his activism and advocacy on various societal issues, including the environment and Earth Day. Ginsberg was the originator of the term "flower power," which was coined in 1965 during the anti-
Vietnam War movement to transform protests into peaceful and affirmative spectacles.
Ginsberg participated in several rallies to support the movements he believed in, and he was a strong advocate for the preservation of the earth and human culture. At the Fairmont Park rally during Earth Day 1970, he spoke about his belief that our consumption and greed are destroying our surroundings and that we have become a 4
society of addicts, addicted to our comforts and ease of access. According to Ginsberg, we should be able to live peacefully with what we have and learn to replenish our resources. 3.
Explain the historical figure or group’s motivation to participate in your historical event.
Ginsberg was an accomplished poet, world traveler, spiritual seeker, founding member of
a literary movement, human and civil rights advocate, photographer, songwriter, teacher, and
co-founder of a poetics school. He used his international fame to speak out on controversial issues such as the Vietnam War, gay rights, and drugs. Ginsberg was an early participant in Timothy Leary's psilocybin and LSD experiments.
He actively opposed militarism, economic materialism, and sexual repression. Ginsberg was a strong advocate of multiculturalism, hostility to bureaucracy, and openness to Eastern religions. He participated in various political protests, including those against the Vietnam War and the War on Drugs. His poem "September on Jessore Road" highlighted the plight of Bengali refugees who were victims of the 1971 Genocide. Literary critic Helen Vendler noted that Ginsberg persistently protested against "imperial politics" and "persecution of the powerless."
Ginsberg used derogatory terms in his poem's depiction of American culture to draw attention to the situation at hand. Although some people may find these terms offensive, Ginsberg wanted to grab the attention of all people, even those who might not be interested in the issue. By using such terms, he hoped to turn people's heads towards the event and raise
awareness.
Part 3: Examining How Bias Impacts Narrative
1.
Describe a narrative you identified while researching the history of your historical event.
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During the late 1960s, there was a major crisis caused by pollution. At the time, the United States had not yet established strong air quality standards, which led to emissions from automobiles and industries polluting the air. This pollution sometimes results in deadly smog. In the early years, smog was caused by compounds emitted by vehicles, power plants, and factories, which interacted with sunlight in the atmosphere to create ground-level ozone. This ozone could worsen respiratory diseases, such as asthma,
bronchitis, and emphysema. Articulate how biased perspectives presented in primary and secondary sources influence what is known or unknown about history. In the late 1960s, environmentalists led teach-ins at college campuses all over the US. These informative sessions brought self-awareness to people about the importance of caring for our planet and the air we breathe in. While the pandemic has reduced air pollution in the last few years, there has been a significant increase in plastic pollution since 2020. Plastic production and consumption have increased rapidly since the beginning of large-scale production in the 1950s. An estimated 24 to 34 million tons of plastic waste are expected to enter the world's lakes, rivers, and oceans in 2020. To put that into perspective, it's equivalent to the weight of 21,000 rail locomotives. Unfortunately, without improvements in the way we manage plastic waste, the situation is likely to worsen, and we could be dumping as much as 90 million tons of plastic waste into the world's waters by 2030. Currently, around 10,000 tons of plastic waste enter the Great Lakes every year.
2.
Articulate how biased perspectives presented in primary and secondary sources influence what is known or unknown about history.
When looking at a historical event, the perspective of the person observing it is their point of view. A biased source, on the other hand, is one-sided in its description of 6
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the event. Even though these two concepts seem different, they are closely related. If you identify the perspective of a source, you can expect that they will exhibit a particular type
of bias in their description of the event. The way an event is presented can affect its understanding and interpretation. If the presentation of an event is biased, it can impact the way history is understood, as it may leave out other important perspectives. This can lead to an incomplete understanding of the event. In the case of the topics of Earth Day and food and water insecurity, as well as the ongoing pandemic, it is important to consider multiple perspectives. This is because potentially biased sources can influence our knowledge of these subjects. While going through a video and an article related to these topics, I noticed that only the public's standpoint was addressed in the interviews. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and include other perspectives to get a comprehensive understanding of these important issues. That leaves an unknown perspective on the party
that thinks differently or negatively about the event. In my secondary source, I noticed a bias in favor of Penn State and its environment. The author mentions that the Student Sustainability Association now has 15 constituent groups and that Penn will celebrate its seventh Tree Campus USA title, which is given by the Arbor Day Foundation to campuses that prioritize tree management, urban forest health, community outreach, and student engagement. According to Facilities and Real Estate Environmental Sustainability Director Dan Garofalo, the campus has made significant progress. I noticed
that the article lacked input from students and focused solely on the administration of Penn State.
3.
Identify the perspectives that you think are missing from your historical event’s narrative.
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It seems that the college student perspective has been omitted from the narrative surrounding a historical event. While conducting my research, I noticed a lack of articles or discussions about the thoughts and opinions of college students regarding the teach-ins, or any questions they might have posed to the environmentalists. I am curious about how those students felt about the teach-ins going nationwide or the name change to Earth Day. I am curious to know if any changes were made after learning more about the environment. Did all
the students attend the teach-ins? Did some college students take an unfamiliar perspective and think it was a waste of time? Additionally, I am interested in knowing more about the government and the people involved in the few activities they were accused of. What was the
outcome for the companies that were accused of pollution?
Part 4: Connecting the Past With the Present
1.
Explain how researching its historical roots helped improve your understanding of your current event.
I am currently exploring a research question related to the historical roots of food and water insecurity in the pandemic. With the increasing spread of COVID-19 and the inability of people to work, farming practices have been affected, resulting in a growing threat of water and food insecurity. This made me realize why ghettos will never receive the support they need. People tend to support only what they believe in, and those in higher positions to help often hold biases against minorities living in the ghettos. If there is an increase in the treat of food and water for everyone the ghettos would be that last thing thought about because they are already concerned poor. There have been problems in low-income areas related to the availability of food and water, but these issues have not received much attention from the media. For instance, the Flint Michigan water crisis 8
began in 2014 and continued until 2019, during which the drinking water was contaminated with lead and legionella bacteria for six years. Despite having six Earth Days within that time, no one came forward to help for six years. An article suggests that people of Afro descent were not receiving assistance due to the poverty in the city. However, with the pandemic, farmers and workers are striving to make up for the loss of food and water. Because of the pandemic, farmers are now more focused on preserving the environment. The article questions why such quick action was not taken during the Flint, MI crisis. The writer concludes that bias is impeding humanity's progress towards becoming a better society.
2.
Articulate how questioning your assumptions, beliefs, and values may benefit you as an individual.
Being aware of our assumptions, beliefs, and values is crucial when encountering information in our personal, academic, and professional lives. It helps us understand ourselves better and what we stand for. When becoming a mental health professional, it's essential to recognize that clients may have biases towards things that we project on them
through our experiences. Therefore, being aware of our beliefs and values is an important
step in becoming a more effective and empathetic mental health professional.
3.
Discuss how being a more historically informed citizen may help you understand contemporary issues.
As we look back into history, we can gain a deeper understanding of how various aspects of society, such as technology, governmental systems, and society as a whole, 9
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functioned in the past and how they have evolved over time. By being informed about history, we develop the skill of remembering that there is valuable knowledge to be gained from past events that may not be easily retrievable. This helps us become more informed citizens and better equipped to navigate the complexities of our world. Additionally, it allows us to appreciate the progress that has been made and the challenges that still lie ahead. It's important to understand the impact of past events on the
present and develop empathy and understanding for groups with different histories. By acknowledging the joy, suffering, and chaos that were necessary for the present day, we can appreciate all that we benefit from today. Examining individual stories and situations can challenge our morals and values, and historical knowledge can even transform our belief systems. Ultimately, being more informed citizens can lead to positive change.
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References:
ABC News (1970). Earth Day: An SOS for Survival: April 22, 1970 – Bing Video. Bing. Retrieved October 1, 2023,
Bing Videos
Babu, S. (n.d.). How Earth Day took root at Peen 46 years ago- and how it is blossoming today. Retrieved October 1, 2023, How Earth Day took root at Penn 46 years ago — and how it's blossoming today | The Daily Pennsylvanian (thedp.com)
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