Writing Assignments  
First Paper: Select any conspiracy theory with which you are familiar and write about it based on your own knowledge. Include a the basic outline of the theory as you understand it. The heart of your paper should be your own speculation about why this theory was (or is) popular, who its adherents were, the conditions in society which gave rise to it, and how one might decide whether to believe it or not

Be sure to proofread your paper and use your computer's spelling and grammar check.

Initial Draft Due: September 11. Bring two copies to class.

Final Draft Due: September 24

Format: First draft, three pages. Final draft, five pages.

Second Paper: Evaluate any conspiracy theory/theories we have studied so far for its use of evidence.

Due: October 22

Format: Seven pages.

Third Paper: Compare and contrast evidence on President Kennedy's assassination presented in Oliver Stone's movie, JFK, and Gerald Posner's Case Closed. Decide whether you agree with Stone that a conspiracy was involved in Kennedy's death or with Posner that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin and that Oswald and Ruby were unconnected. Address the portion of the controversy assigned to your team.

Due: November 23, Noon

Format: Seven pages, plus a team presentation. An individual's grade will be based on both his or her own paper and the group presentation. The group presentation will account for 20 percent of an individual's grade for this assignment.

Team presentations will begin Monday, November 15, with Teams 1 and 2. Teams 3 and 4 will present on Wednesday, November 17. Teams 5 and 6 will present on Friday, November 19. Plan on 15 to 20 minutes for your presentation, plus time for questions.

Fourth Paper: Design your own conspiracy theory, based on the concepts developed in this course as characteristic of conspiracy theories.

Or:

Write a review of Gerald Posner's Case Closed.

Due: December 9

Format: Seven pages.

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