Assignment

The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.

At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Wednesday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation.

The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.

Unit 2 Discussion Board Assignment

Throughout history, commercial and economic concerns have tremendously influenced the development of culture and politics in countries throughout the world. Analyze how cultural and political developments of the United States were similarly influenced by the listed economic and commercial concerns.

Since America's independence, vast differences have developed from region to region. Consider how the historical antebellum developments of the more urban and commercial North and the more rural and agricultural South led to differences in the culture, political parties, and ethnic and racial perspectives of the two regions and eventually gave way to the American Civil War. Historians have long debated the causes of the American Civil War and have generally agreed these causes to be rooted in political, economic, and social differences.

Use the following outline to format your response:

Paragraph 1

• How did historical regional differences affect the development of political structures in the United States?

• What examples do you see in current times of how these events affected the U.S. development of culture and society?

Paragraph 2

• Describe 2 fundamental reasons why the American Civil War occurred.

• Given the circumstances of the conflict, explain whether or not the war could (or should) have been avoided.

Respond to at least 2 or more of your classmates' Discussion Board postings. Be sure to respond to your classmates' postings with substantive and respectful responses.

Utilize proper grammar and university-level writing skills. Be sure to use correct APA citation format when citing sources.