Purpose: This is your assignment developed by your instructor  

ONLINE RESEARCH REQUIREMENT 

During this course you will have one online research requirement to complete.  A short written report on your research is required.  The report will count as 15% of your course grade.

Your requirement is to research a topic covered in this course by reading one feature article from an historical journal available online through the Cuyamaca College Library web page.  A feature article is one with a title and named author that discusses a specific topic in depth.  A feature article does not include book reviews, editorials, or commentary columns.  You may choose any article dealing with a subject included in this course (Modern American History  between 1865 and 2005).  You must first select the journal and article you intend to use and submit it for my approval before writing your report. You will give me a note containing the name and date of the journal and the title and author of the article you have chosen not later than Tuesday,

October 2, 2007.  The Cuyamaca College Library Staff is available to assist you in selecting an appropriate journal and article for this assignment.  During the class library orientation you will receive information on how conduct research for journal articles using the Infotrac data base.

 Your report is to include more than just a simple summary of the article.  Analyze the article in the context of the material covered in this course.  Compare and contrast the article with information presented in your textbook and my lectures.  Include your own opinion of the article, i.e., whether or not you agree or disagree with the author’s conclusions.  Include, if applicable, one or more insights you may have gained from reading the article, such as something that changed the way you previously thought about the subject, or a new way of looking at and understanding the subject as a result of your reading.

 The report will be 3 to 5 pages and will be due on Tuesday,   November 20, 2007.  Reports will be prepared by word processor or typewriter, double-spaced, in a normal typing font of 10 or 12 point.  The reports do not have to be in a folder but each must have a cover page with your name, the title of the article, name of the author, and the name and date of the journal.

Grades will be based primarily on the content and substance of your report.  Quality of writing, including organization, clarity, spelling and grammar also count.  Adherence to the details specified in this handout will also be considered in assigning a grade to the report.  Reports that are submitted late without a valid reason will be assessed a grade penalty.

 For this requirement it is mandatory that you use one of the journals on the following list:  American History, American Scholar, American Historical Review, American West, Aviation History, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Communication Quarterly, Current History, Harvard International Review, Historical Journal of Film, Radio, and Television, History Review, Journal of American Ethnic History, Journal of Negro History, Journal of Southern History, Negro History Bulletin, Pacific Historical Review, Social Education, Southwestern Historical Quarterly, White House Studies.  If you are absolutely unable to find a suitable journal article from this list and wish to use a publication other than those shown here, you must see me first.

  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS REQUIREMENT DURING THE SEMESTER FEEL FREE TO ASK ME.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS HANDOUT.  KEEP IT AND USE IT DURING THE PREPARATION OF YOUR REPORT.