"Your Slice of the Sixties"

Final Paper for HIST 110(2): Boom! A Sixties Snapshot
Half-semester, half-credit course, History Department, Monmouth College

This 200-point paper is due at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 14 May 2014. I will gladly, happily, joyfully accept your final paper before then!

For this final paper in the course, you will demonstrate your command over a topic in the 1960s that most interests you. It can be a topic that we covered in class, or one that we did not. I strongly recommend that you clear your topic with me first. It is in your best interest to let me help you with this.

The goals of this assignment are:
1. For you to learn more deeply about a topic which interests you using only primary sources. (depth of learning)
2. For you to demonstrate the breadth of your learning about the era of the 1960s. (breadth of learning)
3. For you to learn more about how to locate, interpret, analyze, and use primary sources. (skills)

This paper will be based upon no fewer than six primary sources, and those six must include at least two different types of primary sources. You may not use any secondary sources. If you do not meet these stipulations, your paper cannot earn over a C.

Here's what do to:
1. Think about what most interests you about the 1960s. Run that topic by me--send me an email, see me after class, whatever is convenient. The narrower the topic, the better.

2. Go search for primary sources on your topic. The broader the range of sources, the better. Think creatively and critically. You should not simply base your paper on the first six sources you locate. You need to find a minimum of six sources that help you tell the history of your topic. It may take some searching to find the right sources.

3. Once you have assembled the sources, write the history. Remember to include the "who, what, when, where, why, how, and significance." Your essay must have a thesis, and that thesis (or argument) will be derived from your sources and should appear in your introductory paragraph. Do not write in first person--that is, don't use "I," "we," or "us." Be careful not to make the sources bear more than they really can--so don't make assumptions. If you think you can only make assumptions, then you need more evidence. You must use footnotes and cite all of your sources. Please use Chicago style. If you don't know how to do that, see me in advance!!! Go to my homepage for help--scroll down to the bottom and click on the links for examples.

4. I am happy to look at drafts of this 200-point paper. I'll look at your thesis statement, your outline, your documents, your citing, a full draft--anything that will help you write a better paper. No drafts accepted after midnight on Sunday, 11 May 2014.