1. What Is Shaminism
Your final writing assignment of the semester will be a 10-page research paper, due on Saturday, December 7, at 5:00 PM. This paper can either be a historiographical paper (centering on an issue in the secondary literature) or an analysis of a primary source (say, a memoir); in either case, you are free to choose a topic of interest to you (although you need to clear the topic with me). You will also need to complete a series of shorter assignments connected with your larger research project.
Whichever approach to the paper you choose, your goal should be to use the sources you find to present your reader with a clear, specific argument and to defend that argument with as much evidence as you can muster.
Timetable.
Each of you should email me a paragraph-long proposal by Friday, October 18, at 3:00, discussing what you want to research and why. This proposal should also include a list of 3-5 sources you have consulted on your topic (listed in bibliographic formatting); I recommend that you speak to me about your topic before the proposal is due, or at least check in with me by email, before handing in the proposal.
On Friday, November 8, by 5:00 PM, please send me an expanded bibliography, with a tentative thesis statement and a paragraph explaining what you've found so far.
On Friday, November 22, please send me a 3-to-4-page abstract of your project, complete with an updated bibliography. This paper will state the main problem you plan to address, and (if possible) will give a tentative version of your thesis. .
The final paper (10 pages long, using Chicago-style footnotes) will be due 10-page research paper, due on Saturday, December 7, at 5:00 PM.
I will discuss each preliminary assignment with the class in the days ahead of each deadline, and I'm happy to meet with you to discuss your ideas (or your paper drafts) at any point.
The following are lists of possible topics for research papers.