Western Civilization I (HI103), Section 2
(M/W)
Anthony A. Ball, Instructor
The writing assignment for this course consists of a short paper. Papers should be 5-7 pages long, typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins left/right and top/bottom. You should use a normal sized font (10 or 12 point). Please do not prepare an elaborate cover page or use any kind of plastic folder or jacket. Simply type your name and course information in the upper right hand corner of the first page, in the same way that I have done here. The paper is due in class on 5/7. Late papers will be penalized one (1) letter grade for each day, or part of a day, late. Under no circumstances will papers be accepted after 5/11. Your final paper should be closely proofread. Your grade will be adversely affected by excessive spelling and/or grammatical errors.
The purpose of this assignment is to get you to use primary sources in formulating your own opinions about the history of western civilization. As I will state throughout the course, a primary source is simply any document, image, artifact or other thing created during the historical time period being studied. Hammurabi's Code (c. 1790 B.C.E.) is a primary source. Your textbook itself is not a primary source. However, the textbook contains many primary sources which you should consider for your topics. Each chapter includes one or more "Witnesses" boxes, usually first-hand accounts of a particular aspect or problem in western society. Many of the visual images in the textbook (paintings, sculpture, etc.) are also legitimate primary sources from which you may draw appropriate conclusions. It is important that you avail yourself of these sources, although most of the information for the papers will likely come from the web site.
Go to the web site (TonyBall.com) and follow the links to Western Civilization I, Monday/Wednesday Section. Click the "Assignments" icon. There you will see this document, along with links to the various primary sources listed below. You are to use these sources to write your papers. If you do not have access to the Internet, you should utilize the computers in the library or in the school computer labs. The librarians are familiar with my web pages and can help you. I am also available during my office hours or by appointment if you need help obtaining the documents.
You need not use all the primary sources listed for each topic. You should utilize enough sources to be able to answer the question in a 5-7 page paper. During the course of the semester, I am very likely to add more primary sources under each topic. Although I will announce new sources in class, you should check the site periodically to see whether any new material has been added for your topic. I may also add one or two additional topics during the next couple of weeks. I will announce any such additions in class, but you should also check the web site on your own.
At the end of the paper you should provide a list of the sources utilized. If you have used a primary source from the web site, simply cite that source in the same manner as it appears on the list. For example, Aelius Donatus, On Barbarism (undated, after 354 C.E.). To cite other sources, refer to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, which is on reserve in the library.
There are two types of additional research which you may want to do. First, you may need to re-read specific parts of the textbook or other secondary sources to get background information in your topic. Be very careful in utilizing secondary sources. The purpose of this paper assignment is to get you to use historical evidence to draw your own inferences and conclusions, not to rely on what another historian or writer has to say. The most common reason for a low or failing grade on these paper assignments is reliance on secondary rather than primary sources. You will definitely receive a failing grade for plagiarism (i.e., passing off substantial portions of a secondary source as your own writing).
You may also want to find additional primary sources. If you find these on the Internet, be absolutely sure they are from legitimate sites and contain accurate and authentic information. The sources that I am putting on the web pages and the Witness Boxes contained in the textbook should be sufficient for most of the topics.
