HIS
3942 Final Project guidelines
List of possible
topics (on or before Sept 25): submit a list of topics you are
considering for
this
research project
Project statement and annotated bibliography (Nov 6):
-one-paragraph description of your topic, including 3-5 research questions (one of these will eventually become your problematic, the central question or issue for analysis)
-a timeline of key events (include at least 12 events or developments pertaining to your topic) [sample timelines]
-a bibliography, using proper citation format and annotating at least three sources (a primary source, a reference source, and a scholarly secondary source)
Final prospectus
(Dec 7 by 3:30); 4-6 pages plus bibliography and time line. A
prospectus is a paper that sets up a research
project. It has the following elements:
1) a brief introduction to the topic
2) a discussion of the problem you are investigating (include a set of questions that has guided your research and identify your central question for analysis)
3) a survey and assessment of the relevant historiography (how have historians interpreted this topic? what main arguments have been made? how do you see yourself fitting into the historiographical conversation?) [note: draw on your annotated bibliography to write this section]
4) a discussion of methodology: how are you going to approach this
topic? what are your central categories of analysis? what
kinds of primary sources will you use?
5) a discussion of preliminary arguments: what are some possible answers to the question
6) annotated bibliography, divided into primary and secondary sources (list your secondary sources in chronological order by date of publication); please include annotations for at least two primary sources, one reference source, and four scholarly secondary sources (monographs, chapters in edited volumes, or journal articles)
An
annotated bibliography is a collection of entries describing sources
you
are consulting for a
project (see Rampolla, 29-31). Each entry includes two elements:
a) a complete and correct citation in Chicago style (Rampolla)
b) a summary and evaluation of the source
As you summarize and evaluate secondary sources, address the following
questions:
what is the book or article about?
what is the author's problematic (central question or issue) and
argument?
what are the work's strengths and weaknesses?
how is the book or article useful to you?
Make sure to provide a working title and proofread your prospectus prior to submission!
Sample prospectuses