a history project about Chica da Silva

Latin American Civilization, WH130, Fall 2013

Chica da Silva Project

To be submitted online, to course website, before class on October 8, 2013

For this assignment, do the following:

· Read the Wikipedia article on the woman named Chica da Silva. The article is available on the course website or on wikipedia.org.

· Closely examine the other links provided on the course website about Chica da Silva. Think about the questions posed below for the response paper as you examine the websites. Compile some notes on what you find.

· Read Júnia Ferreira Furtado’s Chica da Silva: A Brazilian Slave of the Eighteenth Century. As you read, think about the questions posed below for the response paper. Compile some notes on what you read. Consider keeping a list of people mentioned in the book, as the Portuguese names can become confusing.

· Write a minimum 4-page double-spaced response paper that answers the following questions: Who was Chica da Silva? Why is she an important figure in Brazilian history? You must develop one cohesive, critical response essay. Interpret these questions BROADLY. Think about Chica da Silva the historical person and about Chica da Silva the myth, legend, and emblem of Brazilian history. Think about who Chica da Silva really was, but also what she has come to represent. She, like most people, is a complex figure and her contribution includes the basic biographical aspects of her life but goes beyond them as well. Discuss Chica’s identity in broad terms in your paper.

How to Succeed on This Assignment

1. Start this project early. If you wait until the last minute to read the book or write the paper, your chances of success are minimal. You need to spend some time on this one. This is a real historical monograph. It includes great historical information, but is not easy reading.

2. Strive to make your response succinct and direct. Try not to meander off topic.

3. State a clear, concise answer to the question or prompt – also known as a “thesis statement” – somewhere near the beginning of your paper.

4. Be sure to support your thesis statement with specific examples from the book. (Your thesis statement alone is merely your personal opinion. You must convince me that your personal opinion is valid by offering supporting facts, or examples, taken from the book.)

5. Always cite your examples. There are many different citation systems associated with different academic disciplines. Since this is an introductory course, I do not expect you to be proficient in any particular citation system. Instead, I expect that you will cite your examples by indicating the source and the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence in which you refer to it. An example:

· According to Chasteen, Bolívar, “acquired a bit of courtly polish” while living in Madrid with his uncles. (Chasteen, 17).

In other words, use the parentheses to tell me where I can find the information that you are providing. If you use information from the internet, provide the website address or name in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Keep in mind that failing to cite sources – in other words, copying information into your paper from the book or the internet without giving credit to the author of the book or the internet site – can be considered plagiarism.

6. Check your writing for clarity. If I can’t locate your thesis and follow your argument through the paper, then your paper has not achieved its purpose. If spelling and/or grammatical errors cloud your argument or make your paper difficult to understand, it has not achieved its purpose. Both scenarios will result in a grade reduction.

7. If, at any time, you need help with a response paper, get in touch with the Center for Writing Excellence. http://www.semo.edu/cs/services/writingcenter.htm

8. If you don’t understand a response paper prompt or assignment, get in touch with me and I will be happy to clarify, so long as you don’t wait until the last minute.

Evaluation Criteria

Your Chica da Silva Project will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Content (70 points)

· The paper must include a clear, concise answer to the question or prompt – also known as a “thesis statement” – somewhere near the beginning of the paper. · The thesis statement must be sustained throughout the paper. In other words, the answer to the question that you set out in the beginning of the paper must be traceable through the rest of the paper. It should organize and drive the paper. · The paper should be complex and detailed. It should include discussion of Chica’s many sides – Chica the historical person, Chica the myth, Chica the legend, Chica the emblem of Brazilian history, etc. · The paper should utilize ample examples from the materials provided for this project to support and sustain the thesis statement. · The paper should be creative, insightful, and interesting. It should demonstrate critical thinking.

Organization and Clarity (30 points)

· Grammar, punctuation, and spelling all count. Proofread well. · If you quote from the sources provided for the assignment, you must use quotations. You must cite as well. See the information above on how to cite for this assignment. · Your paper must be clearly written. It must flow well. Proofread in order to ensure clarity and flow. · Avoid plagiarism. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in a zero on this assignment. See the course syllabus for more on plagiarism. Ask me if you have any doubts about what constitutes plagiarism.