This paper is the culminating assignment of this class. It is also an opportunity for you to research, consider, and draw analytical conclusions about a subject you find interesting and significant in relation to the role of culture in constructing, strengthening, or weakening the Soviet empire. You may choose a topic that relates to Russian national culture, but I encourage you to look further afield at the national minorities towards whom Soviet nationalities policy was primarily directed.
Required Formatting Basics
- Your paper must be 3000 words long, not including your bibliography. I will allow a maximum of 200 words deviation.
- Include your name and title on the first page (or a separate title page if you prefer) and number your pages.
- Use 12-point font and double-spacing.
- You must attach a properly formatted Bibliography as a separate page at the end of your text. Both your bibliography and your footnotes should be formatted using the Chicago Manual of Style (available online through the Library’s website). If you do not have the complete bibliographic information for a source, you can find it on WorldCat, which is also available on the Library website.
- You must use a minimum of five sources, including at least one primary source and at least three sources located through your own research (i.e., not something we read together in class.)
This assignment has four steps:
STEP 1: Choosing a Topic
For this paper, you get to choose your own topic. Hurray! You must do so in consultation with me. That means you must meet with me first, present your idea, and get my approval! This is an essential step in the process; you may not proceed with your paper until you have my approval. I will give you as much freedom as possible. The purpose of this step is to get you started in a viable direction, so you will not hit any major roadblocks further on.
In preparation for this meeting, please do the following:
a) Develop a coherent research question
b) Do a preliminary library search, to make sure you have access to both primary and secondary sources. We will get an introduction to the library in Week 8.
*These meetings will take place March 22 and 23.
STEP 2: Proposal. Your proposal should include the following elements:
a) A statement of your research question.
b) A draft of your thesis statement (your answer to your research question).
Remember: a thesis statement must make an argument and be supported by evidence drawn from your sources. Given that research projects evolve, I will not hold you to this particular thesis statement as you move forward, but it is important to practice drafting a thesis statement early in the process.
c) A brief abstract (2-3 paragraphs long). Your abstract should present your topic, summarize the stakes of your argument (in answer to the “so what?” question), and give an overview of your sources.
d) An annotated bibliography. This should include at least five sources. You may use sources we have read together, but you must also include at least three external sources. Both primary and secondary sources should be included on this list. Give full bibliographic information for each source and write 3-5 sentences explaining what information the source contains and how it will help you make your argument.
*Proposals will be due Monday, April 2 at 5:00pm, submitted through Moodle. I will meet with you individually to discuss your proposal on April 3 and 4.
STEP 3: Rough Draft.
The rough draft should consist of three pages from the body of your paper. Do not include your introduction. Our goal here is to practice working with the sources to build an argument. We will workshop our rough drafts together in class on Thursday, April 19. To make that possible, you must email your draft to me and to everyone in your group by Wednesday, April 18 at 5:00pm.
You must also read everyone else’s drafts before we meet on Thursday! You will not be able to give your colleagues useful advice if you have not read their work carefully.
As you read, consider the following questions:
- Is the argument clear?
- Does the evidence support the argument?
- Has the author demonstrated how the evidence supports the argument?
- What do you think works well in this draft?
- What could the author do to improve it?
*Because we are workshopping our drafts in class, I will not require you to meet with me individually to discuss them. However, I would be glad to meet with you individually if you like. Just let me know!
STEP 4: Final Draft.
You must submit your paper via Moodle no later than TUESDAY, May 8 at 10pm. Late papers will be penalized 1/3 of a letter grade per day. I will not accept late papers after May 13. If you would like to include any media (beyond links provided in your bibliography), you can email it to me separately.
Graduating seniors: I have to file grades for you on May 11. That means you cannot turn in your paper more than one day late. If you do, I will not have time to grade it, and I will give you a zero on this assignment.
*****In case you missed it before, here is my policy on plagiarism: Don’t do it! Plagiarism is a very serious offence, which can destroy your academic career and professional prospects. Plagiarism is directly opposed to Reed’s Honor Principle, and if you plagiarize, you will automatically fail my class. I am all-seeing and all-knowing, and I will figure it out if you plagiarize. Please, save us both a lot of time and worry: don’t even try it. If at any time you have questions about how to avoid plagiarism, feel free to ask me.
If you would like help with your writing, I encourage you to consult the Writing Center: http://www.reed.edu/writing/
I will do my best to be available to meet with you as often as you like. I will read partial drafts up until May 4.
Good luck!!!! Please let me know if you have any questions!
