Directions for Research Paper Topic Assignment
(Due March 1, By 11:59pm)
The assignment is to choose a topic for your Final Research Paper. It can be anything that has to do with Native North America. I encourage you to do something that truly interests you.
Details and how to submit the assignment are described below.
See the Research Paper Topic module (on Modules page of Canvas class site) for a list of suggested topics if you want some ideas, and where to look for information and inspiration. I will also include samples of Final Research Papers from previous semesters that had high scores.
I am happy to help you develop a topic.
The module for the Final Research Paper (Due May 11) will be posted soon—it will have additional materials: writing and research guides, sources of information, and other supplementary resources. Details about the Final Research Paper are also given below, so you know what you’re getting into.
Be sure to read all the instructions carefully.
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Your Research Paper Topic can be anything that interests you in Native North America. Choose something that you feel drawn to or have always wanted to explore.
In this Native American Studies class, papers based on personal experience are welcomed. Using first person is allowed in certain topics. For instance, some young women from local Nations choose to write about what it was like to go through their Flower Dance.
Many subject areas in this field are outside the mainstream or academic world. Should you wish to choose a topic that does not have much written about it, I very much support that. Talk to me about where to start looking.
Please note: Sometimes I will have to prevent a student venturing into sensitive areas that do not belong to their tradition—such as some songs, stories, ceremonies, sacred sites, and other aspects of a given Indigenous People’s religion and other information that is not for outsiders.
Research Paper Topics can be just initial ideas—topics often evolve and change over the semester. Some students switch to whole new topics. That’s just fine.
If you want to talk it over with me, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How to submit your Research Paper Topic
EITHER (please do not do both):
a) call, email, or text me your topic: OR
b) upload it to the ‘Research Paper Topic’ Module
Topics require my approval.
Some feedback is generally given when the topic is submitted.
More in depth feedback can be arranged by appointment.
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Overview of Final Research Paper (Due May 11)
The Final Research Paper must be 10 pages, double-spaced. That’s a minimum; you can write as many additional pages as you want.
You will lose up to 10 points out of a possible 100 for every page under 10 pages.
Title page and Bibliography do NOT count towards the 10 pages.
In the Final Research Paper, you must use Times New Roman font, 12-point size for the Final Research Paper. The document must have 1” margins and be double-spaced. Be sure your name is typed at top of the page.
You do not need to submit a hardcopy.
You will lose points for not using this formatting. I require this because these specifications are the standard in for formal or official communications in business, academia, grants and scholarships, etc. (It’s also to make everyone is writing the full ten-page minimum, versus using a different font or margin size, etc.).
Unless I have specifically discussed with you that your Final Research Paper can have fewer sources, you must use at least five (5) information sources in your Bibliography or Works Cited page.
Two (2) of the references must be peer-reviewed. (Further information will be given on all these details).
The Works Cited or Bibliography page does not count towards the 10-page minimum.
In the text itself, you only need to cite direct quotes.
You can use either APA or MLA formatting. APA is the acronym for the American Psychological Association. It is the standard for the social sciences. But either format is fine. Go to https://owl.english.purdue.edu for all the details on how to format either one.
In general, grading of papers is based on:
1) clearly laying out your main points;
2) presenting the evidence and information you have found supporting those
main points;
3) how thoroughly you’ve thought through the structure of you paper; and
4) whether you have met all the instructions listed here.
TIP: Think about making a quick outline as a skeleton or blueprint that you can just ‘fill in’ or ‘flesh out’.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR NEED ANY HELP FINDING INFORMATION/REFERENCES—PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
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