For the purposes of this assignment the primary material around which the essay is built will be found on the internet. Research for this essay will therefore require some familiarity with the use of the internet. Links to some of the most useful source sites will be available through the additional resources link at the History 324 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. You will however 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.
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 1000 words in length.
a) Thesis Statement
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 Civil War 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 the parameters of the paper ( ie geographic,
chronological, etc.) and justify the use of those parameters.
b) Research Discussion
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. 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.
There also needs to be some discussion of the relevant secondary source
material which will be used.
Before you can hand in the first assignment you must have seen me in my office at least one week before (but I would suggest as early as possible in case of problems ) to have the topic and thesis statement approved. You will not be permitted to hand in this assignment without prior discussion and approval. Topics which have not been discussed and approved will not be accepted and there will be no extensions on this assignment.
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%. Be certain that you are familiar with
the due date policy.