Once we have conducted our oral history interviews, we will use them as a springboard for short research essays. Each student will choose a singular topic or theme from the interviews on which to conduct additional primary and secondary source research. Integrating both the oral history material and additional research, students will write a research essay meant to introduce the novice reader to their topic and place it in its larger context. Each essay should be fully footnoted, include any relevant illustrations, and a full bibliography. The minimum length of these essays is 5 pages for undergraduates and 8 pages for graduate students.
Grades are assigned based on the quality of work and adherence to the provided description. All writing should be focused, organized, and clean.
Submit a proposal for your final essay based on a theme or topic you see woven across the interviews. The proposal should be 1-2 pages including potential evidence and list of secondary sources.
A draft of your final essay is due on April 9th. These should be as complete as possible. The more you do for your draft, the better the feedback for your final essays.
Incorporate all feedback from your draft and submit your final essays in class on April 23rd.
You will do a dry-run of your final presentations in class on April 23rd.