What does Samuel Huntington mean by the following statement?  "There is no Americano dream.  There is only the American dream created by an Anglo-Protestant society." (12)  Is this view consistent with the requirements of a liberal nation-state?

Please respond to the above questions in a typed essay of no more than four (4), double-spaced pages (normal font; normal margins). This assignment is designed to teach you while you think and write about the subject matter.  It challenges you to make and defend an argument. A persuasive argument always involves two things: 1) a clear statement of where you stand and why; and 2)an explanation of why you are taking this stand instead of another one. As every good attorney, salesperson, or athletic coach knows, successful strategic thinking is always based upon anticipating the counterarguments that will be raised against your position.

Use your readings, lectures, and discussion sections to back up your points concretely.  When referring to your readings, use an easy citation form (e.g., author and page). It is fine to use quotations (if they are short), but indicate why you are using them. Quotations do not speak for themselves. Also, if you come to a point where you are not sure what you are saying, we will not be sure what you are saying either. Explain yourself!

Finally, keep in mind the Protestant hymn: “’Tis a gift to be simple…”  The most effective essays are always simple and direct (e.g., “my argument is that….).  A good essay always flows from beginning to end with no interruption or loss of focus.  Caution:  If you suspect you are making two arguments, you are probably writing two different papers.  This is only a single paper.

It's fine with me if you discuss this assignment with your classmates. However, your essay must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work.  Dare to think for yourself!

Deadline: You must hand in your essay to your TA no later than Friday, September 22. Because there are no discussion sections on this date, your TAs will let you know directly where and by what time you must turn in your papers. Late papers will be docked 1/3 of a grade for each day they are late.

Good luck!

AJM


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