Due dates for the final paper:
Proposal: between April 2 and April 9 (or earlier), hard copy only!
Copy and paste the form into a word document, fill out the form, print it out and hand it in:
Your name:
Topic to be explored: (explain your topic in one or two paragraphs)
Works to be considered (primary and secondary sources)
You must submit this form for approval in order for your work to be graded!
April 30, 2012: you will need to give a 5-10 minute presentation on your paper.
April 30, 2012: you will need to give a 5-10 minute presentation on your paper.
Final Paper: 8 pages or more, in class on
First draft: optional. Not later than April 23, 2012.
Instructions for final paper:
- First, choose a topic that is of special interest to you. Second, decide if you need to include primary sources (e.g. a movie, a novel, a photograph, a document, etc.). Third, choose at least three secondary sources (scholarly books or articles) that help you develop and support your thesis.
- You must organize your paper on the basis of a thesis you will develop. Your introductory paragraph should do two things: introduce your reader to your topic and present your thesis. It is important that you distinguish between your topic – what you will write about – and what you will argue and attempt to prove, which is your thesis.
A good thesis is:
· 1) Argumentative: it makes a case, it tries to prove something.
· 2) Controversial: it means that it has to be possible for an intelligent person to disagree with your thesis. If everyone agrees with your thesis on first sight, your thesis is too obvious.
· 3) Well supported: That’s the key to the rest of the paper.
- Final Paper Resources: Your research will probably focus on secondary resources, that is, on works of scholars who have done research on particular topics, but also on primary sources in the form of movies, novels, photographs, documents, etc.
Please do not use Wikipedia or other online encyclopedias.
- Be sure to provide footnotes or endnotes whenever you quote from a primary or secondary source, and to include a bibliography/works cited list at the end of your paper.
