There are two writing assignments that collectively comprise 40% of your total grade. Papers are due before class starts on the stated date. No excuses will be accepted unless a student speaks to me at least a day before the paper is due.
Paper #1
The first writing assignment is due Friday, November 1. This 1 1/2 - 2 page paper (no more, no less) is a book review that evaluates either Albert Raboteau's Slave Religion, William Pierson's Black Yankees, or Ira Berlin's "Time, Space, and the Evolution of Afro-American Society." The book review should be roughly five paragraphs that summarizes the author's arguments, describes the kinds of sources he uses to support the arguments (i.e. slave narratives, census data, folk songs, slaveowners' diaries, etc.), discusses the strengths of the book or article, and assesses some of the text's shortcomings. This assignment also requires the student to photocopy a published book review from an historical journal (such as the William and Mary Quarterly, Journal of American History, Signs, Journal of Black History, etc.), and attach it to the paper. During our library tour, Robin Satherwhite will show us some of the journals the library holds and how to locate book reviews. These published reviews should be a crutch to help students organize their paper. Although this assignment is worth 10% of the total grade, it will not receive a letter grade. Should the student satisfactorily complete the assignment then s/he will receive credit; if not, the assignment will have to be rewritten.
Paper #2
This assignment is a comparative book review that elaborates upon the previous assignment. The student will choose two books or collection of articles (upon my approval) and compare and contrast them. The readings should be chosen based on a common theme and compare how the authors argue and support those ideas. For example, the readings on the Civil War address the issue of who freed the slaves during the American Civil War. James Mcphearson argues that the Emancipation Proclamation was the impetus for emancipation which transformed the conflict from a constitutional crises to a moral imperative in order to ensure the nation's survival. The authors of Slaves No More argue that slaves began emancipating themselves once the conflict began and that the Emancipation Proclamation was a reactionary measure to protect slavery in the border states so they would not secede. These authors use different kinds of sources to support their arguments, including military records, presidential correspondences, and newspapers. Still, they fundamentally disagree about the issue and meaning of emancipation during the war. Like the previous exercises, the students will summarize the texts and discuss their merits. However, this time they should determine who presents a better argument and discuss why they support that historian. This exercise is worth 20% of their total grade and will receive a letter grade.
Writing Format: All papers are to be typewritten in a readable font, in 12 point, and double-spaced. Suggested fonts are Courier, Times, New Century Schoolbook, Bookman, and Palintino. Margins should be one inch between the text and the edge of the paper. Should you have difficulties with this format please see me.