Independent Research Project Guide (1400 to 1815)

Fall Semester 2014

I. Research writing project calendar and due dates:

Weeks 9-16: Schedule research presentations.

Week 9: Independent Research Topic proposal due at the end of the class day on Thursday, 10/23/2014

Week 11: Overview of historiography due on Thursday, 11/6/2014.

Week 13: First Draft of Independent Research Paper, due by Thursday, 11/20/2014.

Week 16: Final Draft of Independent Research Paper, due by Thursday, 12/4/2014.

II. Assignment Descriptions:

1. Research Topic Proposals: Propose a topic for independent research paper and presentation in a compact paragraph (4-5 sentences typed), provide a preliminary overview of the historiography on this topic (analysis of the secondary sources; see the following note), state a preliminary thesis argument if possible, explain what you aim to show through your research, comment on why you think your research is important to the study of world history, and include a working bibliography (MLA format) with two separately identified lists of primary and secondary sources (at least two each). In preparation for this proposal, begin to research primary and secondary source materials on your topic; use available resources in the library collection, as well as the library access to online resources, e.g., JSTOR and the Gale Reference Collection; see instructor, as well as talk to the librarians and other teachers who may be specialists in your area of interest for additional help.

2. Overview of historiography and set-up of argument. Provide an overview of what historians or other scholars have written about this topic before, and clearly explain how your argument builds on, challenges or synthesizes what has been argued before (2-3 paragraphs).

- Discuss any typical or conventional arguments that scholars have made to answer this question, e.g (for example), the conventional arguments that Reed mentions for how to explain the rise of European colonialism, or that Bush presents to explain the effects of European colonialism.

- Organize the historiography into groups/camps that have formed around your topic. For instance, if discussing power dynamics in the Constitution, you might have a “camp” around how the Constitution enables/empowers the economic elite (5^th Amendment/property protection) at the expense of regular people. Elaborate on the contributions of scholars in those various camps in your paper.   

- Remember: this is still a thesis-driven paper, not a series of book reports.  So, as you’re considering the various arguments/schools, note the limits or problems in their arguments or evidence.  An articulation of these limitations will form the basis of your thesis.  For example, an author might focus solely on economic considerations but not socio-cultural factors in making his/her conclusions.

- Pay attention to any possible counter-arguments, more recent research and what still needs to be done, like synthesizing the research and arguments already out there, resurrecting or testing an older argument, or introducing new primary sources, and thereby new interpretations and alternative explanations.
- Finish by outlining and explaining what you plan to argue and show in the rest of your essay, e.g., how your research builds on existing arguments, OR the need for a synthesis that brings together all of the older and more recent research and arguments to put together a fuller explanation of the problem, OR an antithesis that uses more recent research and your own efforts to refute a standing argument.

                                                                                                                                                    

3. Independent Research Papers: 1. For the rough draft, write at least 3-5 pages (4-5 on the final draft) on your research topic. The draft should include an introduction that presents the topic to the reader (assume your reader knows nothing!), and your thesis, i.e., the argument you want to make based on your research (review dialectical argument, i.e., thesis, antithesis, synthesis). The second paragraph should provide an overview of the historiography, i.e., what experts on your topic in the secondary sources have already done on this topic, i.e., what they have argued based on their research, then what might still need to be done on your topic, e.g., rebut an argument, offer a new interpretation of available materials on a given topic, synthesize available research to compile a more comprehensive understanding of your topic, offer a new interpretation of available primary sources, and/or make use of new primary sources to revise our understanding of your topic, and outline what you aim to demonstrate in the body paragraphs that follow (this should also provide the basis for your thesis, i.e., the argument you want to make. Body paragraphs should focus on key points you want to make in order to build your argument; these body paragraphs should have a clear topic sentence that makes a sharp point and should also make use of primary and secondary forms of evidence to support those points. Conclusion paragraphs should sum up your research and reiterate the significance of your findings in relationship to the scholarship.

4. Presentations: Prepare an 8-10 minute presentation based on your research for class. Presentations should include a discussion of how you developed your research, why you are interested in this topic, a summary assessment of the scholarship, i.e., an overview of the secondary sources, what has been done, what needs to be done, and what you aim to demonstrate through your research, and make effective use of at least one primary sources in support of your thesis. Consider use of handouts, materials objects, music, video, a brief PowerPoint or Prezi presentation, etc. Choose a week to present and discuss with the instructor.