HIST 310 (Kehew)

At the conclusion of this assignment, students will be able to:

• Conduct independent primary and secondary source research by defining a research topic, choosing, researching, and analyzing one type of historic objects, with an example from 3 different time periods to show evolution over time.
• Synthesize information to draw conclusions about the research topic.
• Produce a 1000 word (minimum) essay using formal academic writing skills and MLA citations.

Approach:

Think about and choose one type of object that you will examine through three different time periods to assess change over time. 

1. Using the skills you learned in the Library Research Tutorials to assess web sources for their appropriateness for academic research, begin researching database, archival, and/or museum resources (such as Artstor) looking for an example of your chosen object from three different time periods:  U.S. Colonial - 1607-1783; Early Republic and Antebellum- 1784-1850; Civil War and Reconstruction - 1850-1877.
2. Go to the SCC Library Research Databases and do some JSTOR searches to find articles on your topic. Once you have at least 3 appropriate objects and a minimum of 3 secondary academic history journal articles, you are ready to start writing your paper. 
3. Read the articles, and really look at and consider your objects. What can these objects tell us about U.S. history? Did the object change over time - why or why not? 
4. Write a 1000 word (minimum) paper on your topic, making an argument or stating a thesis in the introductory paragraph, presenting and discussing all 3 objects and what each object tells us about U.S. History from the time periods the objects represent. Include and cite information from at least 2 secondary academic history articles. Refer to the Class Writing Guidelines and make sure you are following the instructions. Save your document as a PDF, .doc or .docx file, and upload to the assignment page by the stated deadline