JOMC 342.1
The Black Press and U.S. History
Final Examination: Thursday, Dec. 14

These are the questions, from which some will be chosen for the final 
examination for class.  The exam will be posted via our listserv and available in 
hard copy on the counter outside Room 216 in the news-editorial suite on 
the second floor on Wednesday, Dec. 13.


1.  Select one of the following and critique it for what you see as its 
    strengths and/or weaknesses as an effective persuasive document for 
    its time. (500 words)
    
       A.  Paragraphs 31-47 ["The Present"] of Frederick Douglass'"What to 
           the Slave is the Fourth of July?" speech.     
       B.  W.E.B. DuBois' chapter "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" from The 
           Souls of Black Folk.


2.  In what ways were the Frederick Douglass newspapers similar to, or
    different from most of the other black newspapers before 1865? (500
    words)


3.  After having read Washington's "Industrial Education for the Negro" and
    DuBois' "The Talented Tenth," what is your position on the approaches
    both men had toward the total liberation of black people at the 
    beginning of the twentieth century? (500 words)


4.  Select a story from This Is Our War that was not covered in class
    and explain how the reporter is able to address significant issues, stereotypes 
    or myths about blacks during World War II. What strategies does the reporter use?
    (500 words)

 
5.  What were the realities of the post-WWII United States that contributed to 
    the decline in circulation and influence of the black press? (500 words)


6.  From what you've read about Opportunity, The Messenger, and
    Abbott's Monthly do you think any one of them could fit into the 21st
    Century to appeal to modern readers?  Explain in detail. (600 words)


7.  Give a brief history of the black press from 1827 to 1945. (600
    words)


8.  Two different research methods were used by the authors to produce the two 
    textbooks for our class. What are the inherent strengths and weaknesses in the 
    two methods? Are any of these strengths or weaknesses evident in any of the content 
    that you have read? (500 words)


9.  What were the social, political and cultural occurrences of the 1960s that 
    contributed to the popularity of The Black Panther and Muhammad Speaks 
    newspapers? (600 words)


10. What was the Harlem Renaissance and what role did the black press 
    play in its existence? (600 words)


11. What are the similarities and/or differences between the stories contained in 
    This is Our War and the illustrations of Charles Alston? Select at least
    one story and one illustration to substantiate your position (600 words)