J. Pablo Silva  
Spring Semester 2006
History 201. Colonial Latin America

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Stage 1: Choose a paper topic. I want you to write a historiographical paper about a specific topic of your own choosing in Colonial Latin American history. Try to find a topic that accords with your interests. Also consider what you will be asked to do in stages 2 through 6. Think about whether the library has much material on your topic, or whether you can get more information through inter-library loan. If you don't know where to start looking, come see me as soon as possible. In terms of concrete work for this stage, you only have to do one thing: write a paper that describes your topic and explains why it is worth a paper. Due Friday, February 10. See the assignment sheet.
Stage 2: Bibliography.  Describe the secondary and primary works that you currently believe are the most relevant to your topic. Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length and should be accompanied by a title page. It is due 4March. See the assignment sheet for more details.
Stage 3: Historiography Assignment. Identify your most important source and contextualize it. Compare it to other sources that it draws on and to other sources that respond to it. Due 18 March. See the assignment sheet for more details.
Stage 4: Argument. In a single page, summarize your argument. What is your main claim and how can you support your claim. It is due April 15. See the assignment sheet for more details.
Stage 5: Introduction. Write a clear introduction for your paper. See the assignment sheet for more details. Your introduction should be 1-2 pages in length and should be accompanied by a title page. It is due April 29.
Stage 6: Final Draft. This is almost self explanatory. Your final version is due on the day of the final exam, Tuesday May 17 at 2 PM.
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Last Modified: January 25, 2006