Regards,
I'm finishing up my degree this semster and of course, have my final capstone project to complete. I've narrowed down my research to a landmark SC case of The Church of the Lukumi vs. The City of Hieliagh, FL in 1993. Here's where I'm having trouble after a few discussions with my professor about my forming of an argument: The Church of the Lukumi's struggle in the court system is one of the most important cases in the Supreme Court because it reveals the challenges of a religious minoriorty group's suppression through legislation, and demands the courts to revise and reform the standards of general applicability of the law through their free exercise of religion.
Shortly thereafter Congress passed the RFRA ( Religious Freedom Restoration Act) in 1993 and referenced both the Smith and Verner cases in regards to the standards of general applicability of the law, free exercise, and so on.
My thoughts to put out a frame work is to first discuss the Lukumi case and the actors behind it, outline the oral arguments and the ruling of the SC, discuss the RFRA, discuss both cases referenced in not only the oral arguments for the Lukumi case, but those used in RFRA (unclear if I should do this before or after RFRA), and then in closing show the change over time such as the recent Hobby Lobby case( perhaps this is more of an afterward).
I have even actively researching and getting a basic understanding of these events, but I seem to keep running into the same conversation with my Professor tht I do not have an argument.
If any historians out there would be willing to discuss the topic, or even just basic ideas on how I can fine tune/ narrow my argument I would appreciate it. I of course, am not looking for someone to complete my work for me! Just ideas/ advice on how to proceed. Thanks!
I agree with your professor. What you have outlined is a descriptive narrative--a "what happened." The order of events in this situation is not in question; they're facts, if you will.
A historical argument is about increasing understanding. You want to look for a question to answer. So organize your paper that way.
Here is the Religious Freedom Act. Why was it passed, and why was it passed in 1993 specifically? Opinions differ. Here are some of the cases that Congress referenced. Here are other factors that scholars have discussed as contributing. Then you argue The Lukumi case is the most important factor among them (or is one of the most important, whatever your research concludes). This case was about XYZ. Here are the reasons it was the most important. Here are the reasons other scholars' arguments (about other factors) are missing some of the point.
It's the same information, just restructured to argue instead of describe.
For what it's worth: if your school has a writing center, this is EXACTLY the kind of thing they can help with. :) You might want to take your notes and outline over to them, or your first draft, for some in-person guidance. I'd highly suggest booking appointments now; they really fill up towards the end of each semester (although getting on the waitlist always works; people cancel).