Reflection Paper 5: American Exceptionalism

Descriptions of the American political tradition often include references to exceptionalism. Originating in Tocqueville’s description of the singularity of American government and society (Democracy in America 1835), the concept of exceptionalism has been treated in scholarly works as an observable qualitative phenomenon and, in turn, a rhetorical myth employed for political purposes. Drawing from this week’s readings as well as 1-2 additional scholarly sources of your own selection, (1) identify and explain 3-4 significant aspects of the American founding that support the concept of exceptionalism as a qualitative description, and (2) identify and briefly summarize contending treatments of exceptionalism. Be careful to distinguish between observable characteristics of American history and the rhetorical use of the term.

Present your findings in a 5- to 7-page paper formatted according to Turabian Author-Date (parenthetical citation) style. Do not include subheadings. Your writing must be detailed, objective and scholarly in tone, reflecting your own analysis of source content. Page count does not include title and Reference pages.

1) Textbook Readings

• -Kelly et al.: chs. 11–15- I WILL SEND THIS OVER TOMORROW

2.) Antonin Scalia on American Exceptionalism:-Link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggz_gd–UO0

3.) Primary Document: “A Modell of Christian Charity” (Winthrop 1630)

https://history.hanover.edu/texts/winthmod.html

4.) Article: “How to Understand Slavery and the American Founding” (Spalding 2002): Use Link below:

https://www.heritage.org/american-founders/report/how-understand-slavery-and-the-american-founding

You will need Adobe Digital Editions to access the book here-please follow the on-screen instructions:

5.) Democracy in America : In Two Volumes

here’s the Link:

https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=3327359&ppg=1