Research Projects for History 121

Revised for Fall SEMESTER 2006—> LINK

Project Assignments History 121: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Students are required to complete 3 projects, one for each of the 3 parts of the course, two of which should include a site visit to a location appropriate for early American history. The suggested topics are pre-approved, and you may proceed on them without further permission. If you wish to pursue an alternate project, a project on a topic not listed or an expanded project for multiple credit, email me your proposal. Please note that projects are to be based on the suggested materials such as primary sources or actual historic locations, both real and virtual. Project Checklist

For each project students will submit a 6-8 page essay based on sources provided in the project assignment or other related sources. Your reports that includes a site visit should be 8-10 pages and should contain details of your visit such as the date the visit was made, etc. If you want to visit a site and submit it as a separate 2-3 page project not directly connected to a topic, you may do so, as long as it relates in some way to the content of your course. If you wish to include photos or other mementos of your vist, they are most welcome. You will find some submitted by former students on the web site.

For these projects use secondary materials such as the text, topic summaries or other books or encyclopedias only for your own background information. Avoid the temptation to use summaries from the Internet—including my course topic summaries—as the basis for your essays. The idea is to get used to working with original sources from the period concerned. Your own opinions and ideas are what count on these projects, not your restatement of someone else's thoughts. (See also the section on plagiarism.)

You should recognize that in order to do these essays successfully, your writing skills have to be at the level for entry into English 111. If you have not taken English 111, and are not sure about things like documentation, the use of direct and indirect quotations of sources, etc., be sure to read all these instructions. It is a good idea to read my Writing Tips unless you are comfortable with writing papers. See also my tips on getting a good grade.

Site Visit Component:

In the list of suggested projects for each section are several suggested site visit projects. There are certain sites which you can visit and connect with almost any period, such as:

• The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
• The National Museum of the American Indian
• The Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture
• Other components of the Smithsonial Institution
• The United States Capitol Building

To assist each other in this endeavor, post your initial thoughts in the project forum and see what others have done. In this way you all share ideas and everybody does a better job.

Sample Site Visit

PERSONAL HISTORY ESSAY:

Because history is much more interesting when we can relate it to our own experience, you are asked to begin your writing with a personal history essay. Write about your origins and your family. Where did your parents and grandparents come from? How did they get to this country? How have events in American history affected you and your family? Do you have relatives who lived through the Depression, or served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam? If you have time, contact one or two relatives and see what you can find out. This is the kind of original research on which history depends, and it is a good way to begin to get a feel for what this course is really about. For a sample see my own personal history statement. 

Sometime in your life—when you get married or when a child is born, or maybe for a family reunion or other event—you will probably want to start digging into your family past. Genealogy is a popular pastime, and now is a good time to start. This essay is required but not graded. It is due during the second week of class.

Expanded Projects

If you wish to expand a project to one of larger scope, it may be counted as a double assignment. Before beginning, however, clear your idea with me. Double credit cannot be assigned retroactively; you must decide ahead of time. As a rule your expanded project should contain 2-3 times the content of a single project and might span two parts of the course. The purpose of the expanded projects is to allow you to delve more deeply into a subject that interests you, such as the biography of an important person, or a topic that covers more than a single period. Possible expanded projects might entail:

• Reading a full-length biography combined with relevant documents;
• Combining a biographical essay with a site visit to places such as Monticello, Montpelier, Mt. Vernon or the John Marshall house in Richmond.
• An analysis of a Civil War battle combined with a trip to the battlefield: Manassas, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, Petersburg, for example.
• A double biographical sketch, such as James and Dolley Madison.

If you think this sounds interesting, start planning early to get your project done on time. Deadlines will be adjusted as appropriate.

Submitting Projects

You may submit projects by email as attached files. Please send as MSWORD, Star Office or Word Perfect files. If you use another word processor, please save your files as Rich Text Format (.rtf) before submitting. Be sure your name is in the attached file, preferably on each page (inserted as a header or footer), and number pages. When I save your file for printing, it gets detached from your email, so it is imperative that your name is in the essay file.

• Include a title page with your name, instructor's name course number and date.
• Double space all, including quotations, and use a standard 10 or 12 pitch type font with 1" margins.
• Standard English is required. Excessive usage, grammatical or syntax errors may affect your grade.
• No penalty for correct spelling!—use a dictionary if necessary. Use computer spell checkers with caution.
• List all documents used at the end of your essay unless you mention them in the text.
• Please submit entire essay as one attachment, not in separate files.

IMPORTANT: All rules of attribution, quotation and fair use apply for sources used. Include full documentation for external sources not on my web site. Place all direct quotes in quotation marks. Students who misuse outside sources may lose all credit for the essay and in aggravated cases for the entire course. Please note that this instruction applies especially to material taken from the Internet. You may in no case use that material as your own, and must always document your sources to the best of your ability. See Plagiarism section for details.

You may also use U.S. mail addressed to: J. Sage, History 121 Northern Virginia Community College Extended Learning Institute 8333 Little River Turnpike Annandale, VA 22003-3769 You can also drop off written work at: (Do not use this address for mailing.) Map at right. Extended Learning Institute 8000 Forbes Place, Springfield (Off Braddock Road just outside Beltway, behind Ravensorth SC. Turn onto Port Royal Road.)
Note: If you drop off papers or submit by regular mail, please email me so I can keep an eye out for them. (Note: Professor Richardson's students should put her name on the address and include a self-addressed envelope.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Assignments History 121: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Updated July 28, 2006 1:16 PM