This template is designed to assist you in of the task of preparing a substantive research project -- in clarifying your thinking, defining your topic and identifying important secondary and primary sources.  I will ask you to use this template in an iterative manner, building and revising it continuously to take into account new information and new ideas.  As you learn more about your topic or discover important new primary or secondary sources, you may need to redefine and/or refocus all or part of your proposal.  A final version of your prospectus will be due before the end of the Fall, 2004 semester.

1.  Title: Your title page should include the following;

In the center of the page: the title of your proposed study.

In the bottom left:

The name of the course: History 480: The Major Seminar I.
The instructors names: Professor Robert Griffith

In the bottom right:

Your name.
The Date.

2.  Abstract:  At the top of the next page, single spaced and indented, write a one paragraph summary or abstract of your prospectus.  This abstract  should include a brief description of the topic you plan to investigate, the question(s) you hope to answer, and the sources you plan to use.

4.  Secondary Literature:  Discuss the most important or influential secondary works related to your topic.  These may include not only books and articles on the topic itself, but also important books and/or articles that are useful for background and context, that provide methodological insight, or which, though on other topics, might nevertheless serve as models for your study. You need not discuss every book and article, only the most important.  However, you should attach a full bibliography at the end of your prospectus. (See below)  Most importantly, describe how will your paper fit into this literature. How will it add to what historians already know?  Will it support or challenge existing interpretations?  Will it break new ground in some field? (3-5 pages).  Your prospectus must also include a bibliography, with full bibliographical citation, of all the secondary sources that will be relevant to your project (not just the smaller number of books and articles discussed in your paper).  Make separate lists for Books, Articles, and Web Sites.  Use Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 5th ed. (Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1987) as a guide to style.  Familiarize yourself with how to cite both print and electronic sources in what is sometimes called "the Chicago style" by clicking on American University's Citation Style Guides page at: http://www.library.american.edu/subject/citation.html.  Or, use Endnote.

5.  Primary Sources: What primary sources will be most relevant for your study?  e.g., newspapers, manuscripts, census data, oral histories, material artifacts, photographs, etc., etc.   Describe these sources and, specifically, what you hope to learn from them.  Where are these primary sources located?  How easy or difficult will it be gain access to these materials?  You need not discuss all of the sources you will use, only the most important.  (3-5 pages).  Wherever possible, you should visit the relevant library or archive (e.g., the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Historical Society of  Washington, etc.).  Your prospectus must also include an annotated list of primary sources.  List all primary sources that you intend to use with brief description, including the location of the source.

Example: The New York Times, 1945-1946, newspaper (microform), Bender Library, American University.  The nation's premier daily newspaper, The New York Times is/will be especially valuable in tracing the national impact of post WWII re-conversion.

Example: The Jackie Robinson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.  A collection of approximately 70,000 pages documenting the career of the player who broke the color barrier in American baseball.

Example: Oral History interviews to be conducted by author in Washington D.C., February, 2006.  Scheduled interviews with older faculty at area colleges will help me to develop a better understanding of the impact of student protests during the 1960s.

6.  Outline:  A tentative outline of what you believe your final paper will look like. (1-2 pages)

7.   Work Plan: A schedule that shows the dates by which you expect to complete the various stages of the project: Research,  Writing,  Revision, Final Draft. (1 page).  See below for "Important Dates to Keep in Mind."  Please note: your spring semester will go much better if you get a good head start on the research this semester and over the winter break! 

8.  Post the first draft  of your Prospectus on your Group Discussion Board. 

9.  Prepare a brief, Power Point presentation based on your  prospectus. 

Your  presentation must  be no longer than ten minutes, with time for Q&A afterwards. 

Your power point presentation must be uploaded to your "G" drive and a link to it posted on your Group Discussion board. 

Presentations will be made during two class sessions.  Attendance at both sessions is mandatory. 

10. Post the Final (revised) Draft of your Prospectus onto the Blackboard discussion board no later than Thursday, December 16.

Jan 16: Classes and Late Registration Begin (Mon)

Mar 11-18: Spring Break

c. late March: First Draft of prospectus due.

March 31: CAS Research Conference.   An opportunity to make a brief presentation based on a solid, though not final draft of your paper.

April 13: Revised draft due to faculty commentators. Faculty and graduate student commentators will read your essay review and prepare comments for History Day.

April 18: History Day.  Each of you will make a brief, 15-20 minute presentation.  Commentators will offer observations and suggestions.

Apr 30 Classes End (Mon)

May 9: Final Draft due.

May 13 Spring Commencement