EXTRA CREDIT PAPERS
Potential Topics:
Formatting and Style Guide:
Why the emphasis on form? A research paper is a means of communication. The purpose of any paper is to convey an argument as logically as possible according to standards of form that facilitate its communicative function. Form is not merely format and correct spelling; it also includes the logical arrangement of an argument and the rational ordering of historical and textual data to support a particular historical interpretation. Poor form can impede the communication of a valid point of view. When a paper cannot communicate due to a lapse of form, it has failed in its purpose.
Late Policy:
Late papers will be penalized 5 points for each day late (including Saturdays), up to three days, after which they will automatically will be graded no higher than 59% (F).
- Sumerian Civilization - Discuss the Sumerian civilization's contributions to global culture: technology, farming practices, government, art etc.
- Conquering Canaan - Discuss the conquest of Canaan and the justice of Israel's taking of this land from the people who lived there.
- The Fall of the Roman Empire - Discuss the division of the Roman Empire into the Eastern and Western Empires and what contributed to their downfall.
- Islam's Effects on Global Culture - Discuss the rise and spread of Islam and its effect on global culture. Include their contributions to math, philosophy art etc.
- The Shoah - Discuss the periodic rise of anti-Semitism and give examples of pogroms in multiple cultures and times throughout history. Finish with a discussion of the rise of the Shoah in Western Europe in the early 1900s.
Formatting and Style Guide:
- Provide a cover page with the title of the paper, your name, the course information and date.
- Number each page after the first page, at the bottom of the page, centered.
- 1" margins, Arial 12 point type and double spaced. They should be no less than 1,500 words and no more than 2,000 words
- Use footnotes or endnotes. Footnotes occur at the bottom of each page of text. Endnotes function as footnotes, except that they are all grouped together into a single list on a separate page after the essay, ahead of the bibliography. The first reference must be a complete citation to the source. Second, third, fourth (and so on) references to the same source should be a brief form. Most word processing programs now have built in tools for inserting endnotes or footnotes into a paper (i.e. insert, footnote)
- Parenthetical references are abbreviated citations written in a standardized style in parentheses within or at the end of the sentences in the body of the paper. Do not use parenthetical references.
- If your research included works that you did not end up citing explicitly in your endnotes or footnotes, include a bibliography listing all of the sources you consulted.
- All papers should be submitted in paper medium. Papers submitted electronically via e-mail or on disk are unacceptable, since formatting changes occur when transferring files between computers.
- As a rule of thumb, do not quote class-lecture notes in the paper. If you want to quote material mentioned in class, you must go find it in published sources among the course readings and quote from there. If you cannot find the source among the readings, see the instructor for advice. Please feel free to consult the instructor at any time for advice on preparing the paper.
- Form and spelling will be factors in grading. If you are uncertain of your spelling, use a dictionary first, and then run a spell-check program. You must proofread your paper before submitting it, and make any final corrections cleanly in ink, if necessary!!
Why the emphasis on form? A research paper is a means of communication. The purpose of any paper is to convey an argument as logically as possible according to standards of form that facilitate its communicative function. Form is not merely format and correct spelling; it also includes the logical arrangement of an argument and the rational ordering of historical and textual data to support a particular historical interpretation. Poor form can impede the communication of a valid point of view. When a paper cannot communicate due to a lapse of form, it has failed in its purpose.
Late Policy:
Late papers will be penalized 5 points for each day late (including Saturdays), up to three days, after which they will automatically will be graded no higher than 59% (F).
