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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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