RESEARCH PROJECTThis is the major assignment of the class. You will select a specific
topic related to the general subject of Modern Britain and write an essay
based on primary and secondary source research. You will also make a
brief class presentation on your topic toward the end of the semester.
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1. Preparing an Annotated Bibliography
The first step in the research project is to select a topic and begin to
locate relevant sources. By the middle of the semester you should have chosen
your topic and identified the primary sources and most of the secondary
sources that you will use. Having done this, you will submit a 1-2 page
annotated bibliography listing the sources you have collected that you
plan to use for your research paper. This assignment
will not be graded. It is intended to help me track your progress and,
if necessary, assist you with any problems in identifying and obtaining
sources or research materials.
In your annotated bibliography state the specific topic of your paper,
along with the main historical question or questions that you want to ask as
part of your argument. Then list the primary sources you plan to use followed
by secondary books and articles, each with a brief, one-line description
of its contents and usefulness to your research.
The annotated bibliography is due at the beginning of class on Monday 22 October.
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2. The Perils of the Internet:
The enormous volume of information now on the Internet has been both a
blessing and a curse to those doing historical research. Many websites,
especially official sites of libraries and archives and those that reproduce
historical documents, are excellent. However, since just about anyone can
create his or her own website, there is little quality control over
information placed on the Internet. Unlike most books and articles,
websites can present information and views that are usually able to
bypass the judgment of discerning publishers, editors, and peer reviewers. Consequently,
many historical sites are amateurish, polemical, and factually
unreliable. As you do your research, keep a healthy skepticism about
information that comes from the web.
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3. Sources and Citations:
Since this is an essay based on historical research, you must use footnotes.
Do not use endnotes or parenthetic citations. You must also include a full bibliography
at the end of the essay with primary and secondary sources listed separately. In your footnotes
you should provide a full citation when you first refer to a source and then an abbreviated citation
for every subsequent reference to that source. There are several different
styles of footnoting and you may choose whichever one you want, but be consistent.
You must account for all your sources, even quotations from one author embedded
in the writing of another. If you have any questions about proper citation practices please speak with the instructor or
consult the College's Academic Integrity Policy
and The Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition) for further guidance.
In addition to books, academic journals often contain the most recent research and developments within specialized fields of
study. JSTOR and other electronic journal databases will prove useful in identifying
scholarly articles relevant to your topic. Current and recent volumes of the following journals are maintained on
the shelves in Watzek Library and may also prove useful in your research for this project:
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American Historical Review
British Journal for the History of Science
Commonwealth and Comparative Politics
Contemporary British History
Diplomatic History
Economic History Review
English History Review
Foreign Affairs
Historical Research
Journal of Asian Studies
Journal of British Studies
Journal of Ecclesiastical History
Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History
Journal of Modern History
Journal of Social History
Past & Present
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The Bibliography of Imperial, Colonial, and Commonwealth History since 1600,
edited by Andrew Porter (Oxford University Press/Royal Historical Society, 2002) is also
an excellent resource. It is kept in the reference section of Watzek Library.
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4. The Essay:
Your essay should be 10-12 pages and it must have a title. All pages must be doubled-spaced,
numbered, and must use standard fonts and margins. The
narrative of your essay (the presentation of facts or historical chronology)
should be structured around an argument or thesis. It is not enough merely
to relate facts that are already known or retell a familiar historical
tale. The most important objective of your essay is to present an original
argument, theory, or analysis that is supported by a critical approach
to your sources. Keep in mind that you are writing this essay mainly
for yourself rather than for your instructor. Pick a topic in which you are truly
interested and that you think is important for your own understanding
of Modern Britain.
Research for the essay should center on a few primary sources (original
documents from the period that have not been interpreted or edited by other
scholars) as well as drawing upon a variety of secondary sources (books or
articles written about your subject). While the primary sources should be
the focus of your argument, the secondary sources will help you get a sense
of how your argument compares to those of other scholars.
In writing and revising your essay you should consult the History
Department Writing Guidelines and Grading Standards. Additionally, you might find a visit to
the Lewis & Clark Writing Center and the following two
books helpful:
Strunk & White, The Elements of Style
Wilson Follett, Modern American Usage: A Guide
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Finally, be sure to thoroughly edit and proofread your essay before
submitting it. Poor syntax or structure and excessive errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar will
lower your grade.
The research essay is due at the beginning of class on Monday 10 December.
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