Economic Crises Paper
US 2- Karnas
Discussion Date: Tuesday January 10th
Paper Date: Tuesday January 17th
DESCRIPTION
As the final assessment for our Economic Crises Unit each student will submit a 3 page written
response addressing the government’s role in the lives of the people by using historical case studies
such as the Great Depression and the current economic crisis to support your position. Additionally,
each student will participate in a graded discussion on the topic.
OBJECTIVES

Formulate opinions as to what the role of the government in the lives of the people should be

Analyze the causes of economic crises both past and present as well as the effectiveness of
the policies implemented to address these crises
PROCEDURES
PAPER:
 Question: From an economic standpoint, what should the role of the government be in the
lives of the people during economic crises?

Papers should be structured in the following manner
o An opening that includes your thesis, answering the question
o One paragraph discussing Hoover’s response as a case study to support your position
o One paragraph discussing FDR’s response as a case study to support your position
o One paragraph discussing how the governments response towards the present crisis
supports your position
o A brief conclusion

Write a 3 page response (within 3 lines of a full 3 pages, but don’t go over) addressing your
position on the essential question including relevant and effect evidence that supports your
answer.

Include at least 6 credible and appropriately utilized citations, each of which support the
position presented in your response.

Citations should be formally written as directed in class (see class handout)
DISCUSSION:
 The discussion will be structured to allow every student an opportunity to talk

Participation, strength of argument, utilization of evidence to support your argument, clarity
of analysis will all be considered when assigning grades.
GRADING
Written Response: 75 points
Graded Discussion: 15 points
See attached rubric.
US 2—Karnas
Great Depression/New Deal
Name:______________________________________
Economic Crises Paper Rubric
A
Thesis/Questions The student formulates a
20 points
complete thesis that
addresses the essential
question. The thesis is
clearly stated in the
introduction and is
referenced in each
supporting argument.
20-18 pts
B
C
The student formulates a
complete thesis that
addresses the essential
question. IT is stated in
the introduction, but is not
referenced for all of the
supporting arguments.
The student formulates a
thesis that partially
addresses the essential
question. It is stated in
the introduction, but only
mentioned in one or two
supporting arguments.
18-16 pts
16-14 pts
D
The student has formulated
an incomplete thesis
statement that partially
addresses the essential
question. It is only
mentioned once after the
introduction.
F
No thesis statement has
been formulated nor is the
essential question. Neither
a thesis nor the essential
question are mentioned in
the supporting arguments.
12-0 pts
14-12 pts
Body/Supporting Student includes at least 3
supporting arguments that
Arguments
40 pts
Citations
15 points
Student includes 2
supporting arguments that
partially address the thesis
statement. The supporting
arguments utilize one or
two examples from
Hoover’s, FDR’s, and
current gov’t’s responses
to the economic crisis
each.
Student includes 1-2
supporting arguments that
do not address the thesis
statement. The
supporting arguments
utilize partial examples
Hoover’s, FDR’s, and
current gov’t’s responses
to the economic crisis
totally.
Student includes partially
completed supporting
arguments that do not address
the thesis statement. The
supporting arguments only
reference details from only
two of the three government
examples studied during the
unit.
Student includes partially
completed supporting
arguments that do not
address the thesis statement.
The supporting arguments
do not utilize or reference
the three government
examples studied during the
unit.
40-36 pts
36-32 pts
32-28 pts
28-24 pts
24-0 pts
The student includes at least
6 credible and appropriately
utilized citations. Each
source and citation properly
supports the thesis and
position of the essay.
The student includes 4-5
credible and appropriately
utilized citations. Most of
the sources utilized
supports the thesis and
position of the essay.
The student includes 2-3
appropriately utilized
citations. The sources
properly support the
thesis and position of the
essay.
The student includes 1
appropriately utilized
citation. The source does not
properly support the thesis
and position of the essay.
The student includes no
appropriately utilized
citations. The sources do
not properly support the
thesis or position of the
essay.
15-13.5 pts
13.5-12 pts
12-10.5 pts
10.5-9 pts
9-0 pts
address the thesis statement.
The supporting arguments
utilize several details and
examples from Hoover’s,
FDR’s, and current gov’t’s
responses to the economic
crisis each.