A few tips
for finding sources:
Remember, the librarians are your friends. If you are not familiar with
secondary sources, particularly doing searches for journals or collections
of essays, ask them for help. Worldcat, for example, is a bit hard to
understand unless you get a brief tutorial on how best to use it. The
reference desk people are experts and would be glad to help.
Do not limit yourself to history journals/essay collections/books. Interdisciplinary
treatments of topics make for some interesting comparisons of methodology
and conclusions, as well as organizational and writing styles.
Utilize the electronic databases, ABC interlibrary loan, and even the
“outside” interlibrary loan services that the library offers.
All
papers must be:
8-10 pages in length
Double spaced
12-point, Times New Roman or Garamond font – no larger or smaller
One-inch margins all the way around the page – no more, no less
You
must use either footnotes or endnotes. All citations must be in the Chicago
Manual of Style or Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers,
Theses and Dissertations. This manual is the standard history format;
it is available in the reference section of the library and in numerous
bookstores. Our bookstore also carries Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide
to Writing in History, which provides examples of citation forms as well
as some good tips for writing history papers.
This is an exercise in self-control as well as an exercise in thoroughness.
Papers that are too short or, for that matter, over one page longer than
the prescribed length will be graded down accordingly.
Run your paper through spell and grammar check
before submitting it – but make sure that you also proofread your
paper before submitting it. I expect papers to be in proper prose, using
effective grammar, proper sentence and paragraph construction, and a concise
and clear thesis and conclusion. If you are uncertain about how to construct
a proper essay, read Rampolla thoroughly. Then, if you still have questions,
see me.
Make certain that you are aware of the definition
of plagiarism and how to avoid it. Rampolla has a section on plagiarism,
as does the UNCA Catalog and the Student Handbook. If you are at all in
doubt, come see me. I practice a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism
and other forms of academic dishonesty. Anyone caught cheating will receive
a final grade of F for the course.
Papers are due the 13th week of class. Late
papers will suffer a penalty of 1⁄2 letter grade per day, including
weekends. If the paper is late due to illness or other emergency, I require
documentation of the emergency. Papers will be evaluated on depth and
breadth of research, originality, quality of writing, appropriate format,
proper grammar and punctuation.
FINAL PROJECT (in lieu of final exam):
Students will design and present a quilt square reflecting their personal
engagement with a theme or themes of the course, a particular set of readings
they found most meaningful, a relevant personal experience, a reflection
of life experience as a black or white woman, or.... This is your chance
to be creative, but remember that the design has to be appropriate for
a quilt square. Requirements:
1. Design your square on 81/2 by 11 white paper in black and white only.
Include a single-page (typed, double-spaced) description of your quilt
square. For your design, you may use computer drafting, freehand drawing,
or outside help in the design process. Designs will be photocopied back
to back with accompanying essays. Each participant will receive the
entire "class quilt" at the end of the course. In order to
put these together, we must have your design and accompanying essay
by the 8th week of school.
2. Present your square to the class. This can be done in any media and
in any creative way you prefer. For example, you may wish to actually
stitch your square, use overhead projection of a transparency, cut and
assemble your design in felt--whatever you choose as the best way for
you to present your design. Time your presentations for 8-10 minutes.
They will be done during class during the 13th and 14th weeks of class.
Grading criteria: appropriateness and thoughtfulness
of design and accompanying essay, neatness and creativity, quality of
presentation.