Research Project requirements:
The research project consists of three parts:
1) The proposal (50 final grade points max): a one-page summary of your research objectives (list of research questions), and an overview of the available literature and primary sources. Your term paper should use at least six sources, not including textbooks or encyclopedias (such as Wikipedia). Of these six sources, at least one should be a primary source, i.e. an original historical document, such as a diary, letter, memoir, contemporary newspaper article, diplomatic agreement, etc. For good collection of primary sources you can go to the Internet Modern History Sourcebook. You should use at least two books and two substantial academic articles on your topic. Please use the JSTOR data base of academic articles that is accessible via the Library web site. Once you receive my feedback and points (50 point max) for your proposal, you will move on to the next stage.
2) The first draft (50 final grade points max). Your term paper should be at least six pages long, double spaced. It should contain references to your sources in the text of the paper (including the author’s name, publication or writing date, and page number), and a list of your sources at the end of the paper. The paper should have an appropriate introduction and conclusion and should include your ideas and analysis, supported by historical facts and relevant quotations from primary sources. Once you receive my feedback on your first draft, you will move on to the third stage of your project, where you incorporate any necessary corrections and additions into the final text of the paper.
3) The final draft of your term paper (100 final grade points max). Your grade for the final draft will depend on how well you addressed any problems in the first draft.
The entire research project, including both the first draft and the final draft, is due both in hard copy and via email.
