paper

You are basically required to do a page term paper which is due in the 10th week Paper is minimum 3.5 full pages, maximum 4, for BODY of paper (not counting endnotes and Bibliography pages.)

Using the first two pages of “How to Analyze Secondary Sources “ (up to # 4 at most) evaluate one of the books from the list posted separately in this Blackboard Syllabus folder. Also be sure to place the book in the context of any material from our classes, including Powerpoints from later in the course material, if appropriate.

( Some General Suggestions for the Paper Adapted From a Former Grader’s Notes: As for the paper, here are some general suggestions. 1. Read this Term Paper Handout in its entirety follow everything that it says. 2. Proofread/edit your paper . It really is the easiest way to ensure you get a good grade. You will not be able to get an A if your paper is not well edited. I know some people have problems editing their own work; so my advice is to finish it and put it aside for at least a couple hours, and then come back and edit. 3 . Do not go below the minimum page limit. 4. Structure your paper . That means an Intro, Body Paragraphs and a Conclusion. That being said, keep your intro and conclusion brief and to the point, because of the short nature of the paper . 5. Do not spend a large amount of time summarizing. Engage the author’s ideas to show that you know and have read the book . 6. You should instead spend most of your paper analyzing (see PDF file on BlackBoard on analyzing secondary sources for futher tips.. Use the terminology and methodology we have used & discussed in class wherever possible . In doing so you will show how well you read and thought about the book as well as how well you know themes and methodologies we have been using. 7. Paraphrase rather than quote and always cite your source; if it is lecture just put the title of the PPT . 8 . Endnotes. Use Chicago Style; just do your best to get them in the proper format, as long as you show a solid amount of effort and get all the detail in the endnote that will be adequate. See a style book or SDSU's citation webpage (accessed through the library's website I believe) 9. Remember to both submit a paper copy AND put an e-copy on Blackboard’s SafeAssign )

Main option:

Pick one of the Books on the separate book list posted in the Syllabus section of BlackBoard. You can also use an additional scholarly book or scholarly article on the same topic with your core book if you like. This paper must not be a mere book review. Make an argument(s) about some major aspect of the book, and use various evidence to support it. Make sure that your paper shows that you have read the whole book. (If the book is very long you can talk to me about using just a part.) In addition to an evaluation of the book put it in a context of our study of the topic.

Remember, use the terminology learned and emphasized in class and class readings where possible and where appropriate in your analysis.

Of course, the point is to go beyond class texts, films and lectures, NOT to duplicate them. They are background. Nonetheless, you must engage any closely related ideas which have been brought up in class, if there are any. You needn’t agree with me, or the texts or films, but you must at least engage the ideas or theories, and say why you accept or reject them. (Remember this notion also when you are doing your Outside Video writeups.)

Your paper must not have been submitted (or may not be being submitted) in any other class.

Layout, etc: The paper must:

Use 12-point font.

Be double-spaced.

HAVE PAGES NUMBERED

be stapled

Have your name, History Course # and class hour and the semester/year in the upper right corner!

Have a title after the next blank line.

DO NOT use a separate cover page. Use no more than 3 lines at the top of the paper for your name, class, and Paper Title. But remember, the BODY (text) of your paper must equal 3.5- 4 pages of text.

If you print on both sides of the paper or print on the back of paper that has been used on one side, you will get 1% added to your grade. (Remember just to put a light diagonal line through the old text on the last page the reused paper; this indicates it is not to be read. You need only do it on the very last page.)

Quoting or Citing:

Do not over-quote in your paper. Never more than 10% You can use an author’s ideas, and do not need to quote it. Instead, paraphrase the author and endnote the original source of the idea. If a short quote is so exceptionally phrased that you feel you must quote it exactly, then quote.

A further note on documentation (endnoting):

Use Chicago style citations. Use endnotes instead of footnotes. (Endnotes are the same as footnotes, but just put at the end of the body of the paper before the Bibliography. Microsoft Word will do it automatically if you choose.)

Endnote thoroughly. Of course, include the source’s page numbers! Endnote the source for every bit of information except commonly known facts. Better too much documentation than too little at this point. Put the number for the endnote right after any quoted material, Put an endnote for paraphrased materials at the end of any paragraph.

See a style manual for details. There is one on Course Reserves under my name. Also, add a sentence in any endnote for a website showing precisely why you evaluated this source as a reputable scholarly source.

NOTE:

College level English grammar, punctuation, and writing skills are an inherent part of what is expected in your paper. If you have writing problems, use this paper to work on them. Use the tutoring services, classmates with good writing skills, etc. to proofread and advise. Use SDSU’s The Writing Center in PSFA, and SIGN UP WEEKS AHEAD OF TIME FOR AN APT.

Again:

(We have been requested to include the University’s Academic Honesty Policy in the syllabus:)

SDSU Academic Honesty Policy: Institutions of higher education are founded to impart knowledge, seek truth, and encourage one’s development for the good of society. University students shall thus be intellectually and morally obliged to pursue their course of studies with honesty and integrity. Therefore, in preparing and submitting materials for academic courses and in taking examinations, a student shall not yield to cheating or plagiarism, which not only violate academic standards but also make the offender liable to penalties explicit in Title 5. Cheating shall be defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work by the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to (a) copying, in part or in whole, from another’s test or other examination; (b) discussing answers or ideas relating to the answers on a test or other examination without the permission of the instructor; (c) obtaining copies of a test, an examination, or other course material without the permission of the instructor; (d) using notes, cheat sheets, or other devices considered inappropriate under the prescribed testing condition; (e) collaborating with another or others in work to be presented without the permission of the instructor; (f) falsifying records, laboratory work, or other course data; (g) submitting work previously presented in another course, if contrary to the rules of the course; (h) altering or interfering with the grading procedures; (i) plagiarizing, as defined; and (j) knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above. Plagiarism shall be defined as the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the University as one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements without giving credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall include but not be limited to (a) submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; (b) omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to another; (c) omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence, or part thereof; (d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic works, such as musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f) submitting as one’s own work papers purchased from research companies.

Submitting the finished paper: (One paper copy, one e-copy to Turnitin Assignment Slot on Blackboard)

The paper copy (NON-electronic) should be put on my desk on the due date at the beginning of class. (No paper copy, no grade.) An e-copy to Turnitin within three days after handing in the paper copy.

Each paper copy and Turnitin copy MUST have all of its parts submitted together. (For instance, do not ask, “Can I submit the Bibliography next time; I forgot” Sorry, but it is too unmanageable for us to then go through 3-400 papers to put your pieces together.)

Since the very purpose of this paper is to sharpen your research and writing skills, if you are found to have copied without citation or quotation marks, you may fail the course, even if this is discovered after you have gotten a final grade.

If you do not submit your paper to Turnitin (unless we have made other arrangements) you will lose 30 - 60% of the allotted paper points If I must remind you after the week it is due, and you submit it to Turnitin late, you will only get partial points back. Unless it is announced that a paper copy is not needed,you must submit one or you will lose 15-20 pts off your paper when/if it finally gets graded.

REMEMBER:

ANYTIME you email me or submit ANY paper or note, include [History Course #, CLASS hour, Semester, year].

ALSO: ANY assignment of more than one sheet of paper MUST be STAPLED together and must have your name and class hour in the upper right corner.

You will loose credit (equivalent to up to 5 points of whatever assignment) each time, if you cannot follow these instructions.

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