NEW: ALL PRELIMINARY ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE HANDED IN ELECTRONICALLY. YOUR FIRST DRAFT WILL ALSO BE HANDED IN ELECTRONICALLY, BUT YOUR FINAL DRAFT WILL BE HANDED IN ON PAPER.
Preliminary Topic Statements (5%)
Due: 14 February 2011
Length: 1-2 pages
Reading: Your first step should be to look at the entire reading assigned for the course and think about a topic that interests you. Go to the library and research the topic using all the databases available to you including America: History and Life and , of course, the library catalog. Do not forget to search other libraries in the region. You will find Ylvisaker Library at Concordia College of particular help in locating sources. When you have an idea for a topic answer the questions below.
Assignment: List the topic for your paper, indicating
1. the general topic
2. why you are interested in this topic
3. the historical question you would ask
4. class readings for this topic
5. library research readings for this topic
For 4-5, provide short references that include 1) author (the author of the actual source, not just the editor of a volume of readings), 2) specific chapter/document set titles, and 3) the title of the book or journal where you found the source.
Directions for Library Research
Finding a Secondary Source: Find a source published since 1960, preferably an article in a historical journal. Look for books using the computer catalog in Founders. Look for articles by using, America: History and Life, which is on the library web page. Below is a list of journals that may aid you, note this is just a short list, there are many more out there not listed here: Journal of American History, Journal of Southern History, Journal of Social History, William and Mary Quarterly, Journal of Economic History, Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Signs, Feminist Studies, Journal of Negro History, New England Quarterly, or any of the individual state historical journals (eg., Georgia Historical Quarterly). If you have no success with the indexes, speak with a reference librarian, or myself.
Finding a Primary Source: The library houses a modest amount of primary sources, many of them in microform. One source that may be quite useful, with practice, is our new Early American Newspapers Database. Remember, you are looking for something "from the time" of your topic. Note that Ylivisaker Library at Concordia College has a more robust microform collection and you should head over and take a look at their holdings.
Paper Blog
Due: Continuously, each Friday of semester beginning 11 February 2011.
Length: One good, solid paragraph. (about one half page, typed, double-spaced)
Assignment: Research and writing are a continuous process. Students tend to get in trouble with research papers when they leave everything to the last minute. In order to avoid that pitfall, you will blog about your paper each Friday. Everything is fair game here, I just want to see you are engaging the assignment. This is your place to talk about what you’ve found, gripe about what you haven’t found, and write about what’s amazing about your topic. HOWEVER, it is not exclusively about trivia—what I want to see is how your paper progresses from week to week. You should also read your colleague’s work--what are they writing about? Can you offer ideas, support, consolation or sources?
Where: in the Conferencing section of Nicenet. I will start a new page each week for you to blog on.
Primary & Secondary Research Assignment (5%)
Due: 25 February 2011
Length: 1-2 pp.
Reading: One primary source or group of primary sources from materials that you intend to use for your paper and one secondary source you intend to use for your paper.
Assignment: Write your research question. For the primary source, write three paragraphs that each develop a specific point that will answer your research question based on the primary sources you have selected. Each paragraph should use at least three specific examples from the sources. For the secondary source, write 1 paragraph that summarizes the author's argument, one paragraph explaining how that argument is pertinent to your question, and one paragraph that addresses how that argument has influenced your thinking about your topic.
Final Topic Statements (5%)
Due: 4 March 2011
Length: 2-3 pp.
Reading: Skim briefly the materials you have acquired so far. Remember, historical questions include, but are not limited to, the following types of questions. "Factual" questions: Who, When, Where, What? Change over time: How and Why? Causes and effects: How and Why? Structural questions: What was it like? What was its nature? Historical context: Why then? A Balanced description: Who was involved?
Assignment: Submit a statement of your essay topic in the following manner:
1. Historical Question: State the topic in the form of a single historical question. Your question MUST be standard historical question that has a "how" or "why" element, and it must be specific with regard to who, when, where, and what. You may also want to list a series of sub-questions to clarify your inquiry.
2. Annotated Sources: List each source you will use to answer the question you have posed. (Again, references must include author [if appropriate], specific chapter/document set titles, and the title of the book where you found the source.) Under each listing, write a 1 paragraph summary of the source, indicating how it will help you answer your research question.
Note: If your topic is still unacceptable, you will be asked to resubmit this assignment.
Completed Essays (25%)
Due: 1 April 2011 (Seriously)
Length: 2,500 words.
Assignment: This page is here to remind you that your papers are due on this day. You must turn in a completed paper that meets the page length and all other requirements. It must contain proper notes. Remember these basic requirements:
- Minimum Requirements: Your long essay MUST meet the following minimum requirements: 1) approximately 2,500 words in length (excluding notes); 2) proper endnotes or footnotes using (CMS), including page numbers; 3) a complete bibliography.
2. Overall Objectives: In general, your paper MUST: 1) answer a historical question directly and fully; 2) use BOTH primary and secondary sources; 3) formulate an argumentative thesis and prove it with analysis and evidence; 4) acknowledge and defeat other points of view if any exist; 5) use proper endnotes or footnotes; and 6) be written in a clean, clear, sophisticated manner free of improper use of sources and of grammar, spelling, and usage mistakes.
NOTE: YOU MUST HAND IN A COMPLETED PAPER. You may not hand in a partial paper thinking you can fix it later. This is a completed first draft that will be critiqued and serve as the basis for your final draft. I do reserve the right to bar you from rewriting if you hand in a partially completed paper.
Rewritten Essays
Due: 4 May 2011 (date negotiable)
Reading: Be sure to complete any extra reading recommended in the comments on your papers.
Assignment: You are not required to rewrite your paper, but in most cases, you will want to do so. If you rewrite, you must pay attention to matters of both style and content. Fixing a few technical errors will not raise your grade significantly. PLEASE TURN IN THE ORIGINAL DRAFT ALONG WITH THE COMMENT PAGE. ATTACH THE NEW DRAFT ON TOP OF THE OLD ONE.