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common feature of all history seminars is the seminar paper. The department
explicitly aims to graduate students who are able to complete, "independent
research on historical questions and successfully mount an argument
based on that research." We further ask that this ability, "be demonstrated
in a seminar paper of substantial length in which the student takes
a discernible position on an historical question and supports that
position with relevant evidence." For this seminar you are being asked
to use historical primary sources related to US-Latin American affairs
to write a substantive, analytical paper. For purposes of the class
I have set down particular steps that all students in the class must
take as they work on their papers. I have assigned The Craft of
Research in order to provide you guidance as you set about your
task.
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Stage
1: Choose a paper topic. I want you to write a research paper
about a specific topic in the history of US-Latin American relations.
Try to find a topic that accords with your interests. Also consider
what you will be asked to do in stages 2 through 6. In particular,
focus on finding appropriate primary sources that can serve as the
basis for an analytical paper. 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 23 February. See the
assignment sheet.
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| Stage
2: Primary Source Analysis. Describe the collection of primary
sources that you will be working on. Explain how the collection sheds
light on the important analytical questions you have identified. Your
paper should be 2-3 pages in length and should be accompanied by a
title page. It is due March 15. See the
assignment sheet for more details. |
| Stage
3: Project Presentations. Prepare a presentation that explains
your project to the class. You will need to summarize the debate you
identified in the secondary literature and what your primary sources
tell you about that debate. For purposes of the presentation, you
will need to prepare a one-page handout for the class. The handout
is due in my office 15 minutes before your scheduled presentation
so I can make copies for everyone. See the
assignment sheet for more details.You will do this in week 9 (exact
date will be determined before spring break). |
| 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 in week
10 or 11 (exact date will be determined before spring break). See
the assignment sheet for
more details. |
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5: Introduction. Write a clear introduction for your paper. See
the assignment sheet for
more details. Your introduction should be 1-4 pages in length and
should be accompanied by a title page. It is due week 11 or 12 (exact
date to be determined before spring break). |
| Stage
6: First Draft. This is almost self explanatory. Week 13 or Week
14 (exact date to be determined before spring break). See the
advice sheet. |