Research Projects for History 122

Part 1 Projects | Part 2 Projects | Part 3 Projects

Instructions for Submission | Project Checklist

Students are required to complete 3 projects, one for each of the three parts of the course, two of which must include a site visit to any historic site for modern American history. See recommendations for site visits. (If because of illness other valid reason you cannot get to an actual site, a virtual visit may be acceptable for one project.)

The suggested topics below are pre-approved, and you may proceed on them without further permission. If you wish to pursue an alternate project, email me your proposal in advance. Please note that all projects are to be based on the suggested materials, usually primary sources or actual historic locations, both real and virtual.

For each regular project students will submit a 6-7 page essay based on the sources provided in the project assignment or from other related sources. The essay which includes your site visit should be somewhat longer. Students may make a brief entry on each project in the Blackboard forum as a helpful guide to other students.

Do not use secondary materials such as text books or encyclopedias except for your own background information. Avoid the temptation to use summaries you find on 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 ideas are what counts on these projects, not your restatement of someone else's ideas.

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.

Resources:

• Discussion of plagiarism
• Writing Tips for Online Students

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 U.S. National Capitol

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. Recommended Site Visits.

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. If you did this in History 121 you do not need to repeat, but may update if you like.

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. Essays should be submitted according to the Assignment Schedule.

Part 1 Projects | Part 2 Projects | Part 3 Projects