Research Essay (assignments 1 and 2)

The objective of the assignment is to produce a research essay examining any  theme or problem in the Gilded Age era (1870 to 1910) and is to be completed in two steps.  The final essay will be marked for depth and sophistication of research as well as for the overall quality of writing.  The core of this essay must be primary sources.

You are free to chose any topic within this period within reason, but think carefully about what you choose.  It first of all must be a topic for which an argument can be constructed, and not becoming simply the retelling of an event.  Secondly it must have a substantial primary source base of materials, as this is one of the most important of the assignment requirements.  Do not chose a topic and then come to me later lamenting the lack of primary sources.  The source base must be considered at the time you decide on a topic.    In a sense you need to reverse the normal topic selection and research process.  Due to this requirement you should see what primary sources are out there first and then create a topic out of them, rather than simply deciding on a topic of interest and then seeing what sources are out there. 

Most topics within reason could be acceptable but I will still reserve the right to reject a topic even at the time of the first assignment, so if you have any doubts or concerns you had better see me first before proceeding.  Topics I will not be accepting include any kind of biographical study.  You must chose a topic with which you can create a strong argument with - the success of the first and particularly the second assignment depend on the clarity and sophistication of the thesis around which the paper is built.

For the purposes of this assignment much of the primary material around which the essay is built can be found on the internet.  Links to some of the most useful source sites will be available through the  resources link at the History 321 homepage.  These links are to some of the same sites we will be using in our class discussions and are meant only as a starting point for your research.

Primary sources are to be the core of the paper and must represent a substantial proportion of the material used in the final paper.  However you will also need to use a range of secondary sources to create a theoretical or contextual framework to tie the primary material together and to help substantiate the arguments made.  

The final assignment is divided into two parts, each with separate requirements and due dates.  For ease of consideration and reference, the two parts will be considered as separate assignments.

******Important Note on Internet Sources******
Due to the varying quality of internet sites and the difficulty facing students of distinguishing credible from non-credible internet sources, internet sites may only be used for primary materials for the research paper.  No secondary or interpretive  materials from the internet will be permitted for the essay from the internet.

Assignment #1

There are two requirements of the first assignment: a) provide a clear, well defined thesis statement for the final paper and b)  discuss some of the research to be incorporated into the final paper.  This assignment is to be 800 words in length.

a) Thesis Statement (300 words)
In your essay you must have a well defined thesis, or argument, throughout the final paper.  In this first assignment you must indicate the argument  you will make in your final paper.  Your final essay is not to be a narrative of events or a retelling of a story.  You must take a stand and argue a point of view in your essay.   You need to indicate the purpose of your paper.  What will it achieve or demonstrate?  How will it expand our understanding of some aspect of the Gilded Age era.? Only by reading a range of sources can you achieve a sense of the issues involved and create a strong argument which reflects the complexities of the topic and the period.  The thesis can make or break the final paper and thus requires some thought.  Good research can be wasted on a pointless or superficial argument.  You must also be certain to define any parameters of the paper ( ie geographic, chronological, etc.) and justify the use of those parameters.

b) Research Discussion (500 words)
This is to be a discussion of the source material which is to be used in the final essay.  In doing so discuss the primary source material which will be used (ie from where, what years, sampling technique, etc.) and how specifically it will be used in the final paper. As well, consider any assets and/or limitations of the sources that you are using. From those sources discussed choose two (2) examples and discuss in detail their content, why they are relevant to your thesis, and how they will be used in the final paper. For this assignment you may not discuss primary sources that are part of the course readings.

This is not to be a mini-essay, but instead a discussion and analysis of the source material in relation to the thesis and the overall objectives  that you have indicated for the  final paper.  

Assignment #2
This is to be the full research paper which builds on the argument and material presented in assignment #1  .  The final essay will be marked for depth of research, sophistication of argument, and quality of writing.  Correct bibliographic and reference forms for history are required.  The final essay is to be 2,500 words in length, +/- 5%.    

There are some restrictions as to what sources may or may not be used in the writing of the paper, in addition to the restriction on internet sources above:

Be certain that you are familiar with the due date policy.

Assignment Due Dates:

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