research paper

There will be a final cumulative paper which will incorporate research and your understandings U.S. history throughout the course. This paper is to be 8-10 full, typed pages in length (double spaced), and they will require you to think critically about the material covered throughout the semester. You will engage with a thought-provoking topic by utilizing at least three academic sources (this will be defined in class) outside of your course material (both hardcopy and online encyclopedias are not accepted as academic sources).  You may use your textbook for information however, this does not count as an academic source. Due dates are listed in the syllabus.  
Topic:
For your research paper you are to define two definitions of the idea of “freedom” and two events/periods/movements that correspond to these definitions in the context of U.S. History following the period of Reconstruction and including the modern day using two separate but significant events that demonstrate this definition in practice. You are to write a paper that would answer these questions:What is the first event you are describing?
Why is it significant? How does it demonstrate a definition of freedom?
What is the second event you are describing? Why is it significant?
How does it demonstrate a different definition of freedom?How and why has this definition changed over time?