Research Paper

The research requirement for this course is a paper of fifteen pages or more on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. This research project will comprise 40% of the course grade. The purpose of this project is twofold:

1) To acquaint the student with the variety of research materials available on topics relating to the Vietnam War.

2) To permit the student to make an exploration of a topic of interest in a depth not possible with the normal assigned readings and discussions.

Students will adhere to the following schedule, included as part of the course syllabus, when preparing research projects:

By Friday, February 13: Notify the Instructor in writing (email will suffice) of the topic you wish to pursue for the research project; note that approval of the topic rests with the instructor. If you're having trouble coming up with a topic of interest, please communicate with the instructor BEFORE February 13.

By Friday, March 12: The paper bibliography and a short summary of the research are due, either in electronic or paper format; by this point most of the research for the project should be completed. The bibliography should be prepared according to a style manual; the Instructor's preference is Kate L. Turabian's A Manual For Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations [available at most bookstores and libraries]. The summary of research need not be longer than a paragraph or two, detailing the thrust of the project and containing a thesis statement where appropriate. The bibliography/summary of research will be returned with comments.

By Friday, April 16: Final paper due. Unless prior arrangements are made with the Instructor, late papers will NOT be accepted. Papers may be submitted either in hard copy by mail [in sufficient time to be received by April 16] or in electronic form by email [Microsoft Word document format preferred].

Plagiarism or the purchase of research papers from the Internet or other sources is not acceptable. Students found to be engaging in these practices for this research project will receive a failing grade for the course. Students should feel free to consult with the instructor by email about any aspect of their research at any stage in the research project.