Let me share an initial orientation to the research paper assignment. This is a major assignment that will structure a large part of the second half of the course. For now, you should be thinking about what you would like to research and write about. Do some initial research, gathering names of books and ideas for primary sources.

I give you the freedom to work on any aspect of the European experience between 1890 and 1945. There may be ways in which you reach beyond these strict geographical and chronological guidelines but you will want to discuss those with me. Our course so far has stressed politics and international relations, but I encourage you to explore any kinds of history that interest you, which might lead to cultural history, gender history, post-colonial history, etc. In any case, I need to approve your topic, your secondary source(s), and your primary source.

When you come back from fall break, you will need to share a research proposal with your initial ideas.

The way this will work:

• You will start by identifying a research topic – or some topics you are choosing between. I encourage you to meet with me as you work on your ideas. You will down your ideas in a formal research proposal as described in the full assignment.
• Then, you will read an important historical article or historical monograph and write a critical review paper, presenting the article or book, the argument of the work, and your thoughts (in 3 to 5 pp.)
• You will read a significant primary source (or sources, the equivalent of a book or a couple hundred pages) and write a primary source analysis paper, presenting the source and analyzing it in light of your research topic and the argument of your historical monograph (in 3 to 5 pp.)
• You will then integrate these papers into a research paper with an introduction that presents the topic and an argument, a presentation of background, a historiographical discussion (based on your secondary source draft), an analysis of your primary source (based on your primary source draft), and a conclusion (in 10 to 15 pp.)

We will discuss this assignment as the semester unfolds, but this should be enough to help you get started. You may also make reference to Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History.

Note on AI tools

In brainstorming ideas and searching for sources you are welcome to use AI tools. I require that you track any AI searches that you do. If you do so, create a folder called AI Research and save the results of your searches as documents in the folder.

After each research assignment, I will encourage you to submit your paper to AI and ask for suggestions for making it stronger.

What is absolutely not allowed, and is grounds for failing the paper, is using AI generated text in your paper, whether you use it to summarize sources, interpret sources, or anything else.