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, building a bibliography, that is, 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.

The goal is for you to find a topic that you can do some real historical research on – and come to conclusions that reach beyond a simple internet search.

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 monograph (or perhaps a historical article) and write a critical review paper, presenting the book or article, the argument of the work, and your thoughts (in 3 to 5 pp.)
• You will identify and 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 that I’ll need to approve your secondary source and primary source.

On the Process of Research in History

A major learning goal for the research paper assignment is to develop our abilities to pursue a large project over many weeks, completing discrete tasks each week, staying organized along the way, and responding to feedback. Toward that end, 50% of the grade is devoted to the process – and 50% to the final research paper.

You need to share the work that you are doing each week. For this purpose, please create a research folder on OneDrive – named with your last name and a short version of your topic (Shaya – Anarchism Research Paper, for example). Inside this folder you should keep your notes, bibliographies, and your weekly assignments as Word files with version history saved. Create a folder called AI Research and save a copy of AI searches or conversations. Some of you may want to work in Google Drive, in which case you can share your research folder to gshaya@gmail.com.

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/conversations that you undertake. If you seek any help from AI, create a folder called AI Research and save the results of your searches/conversations as documents in the folder.

It is important that you hone the craft of reading, taking notes, and putting down your ideas in written format, without relying on outside help. At the same time, we are all learning about the uses (and abuses) of generative AI tools. After you complete the monograph paper (Research Assignment #3) and after you complete the primary source paper (Research Assignment #5), I will encourage you to submit your paper to an AI tool to ask for suggestions for making it stronger.

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