Labory History: Research Papers

Professor Rees

Colorado State University - Pueblo

Spring 2008

You will complete an 8-12 page research paper on some topic pertaining to American labor history history.  The idea is for you to examine a topic that interests you in more depth than we will cover it in class.  You may wish to select a topic related to the CF&I Archives (which we will tour during class time) as the material there is interesting and easily accessible.  However, this is not required.

You should accomplish two tasks in this paper. First, present research about an event, phenomenon or person from American labor history that interests you. If you are interested in the lives of coal miners, for example, write more about their lives than you'll hear in lecture or the readings. The second, more important objective is to explain why your subject is historically significant. If you pick the IWW, for example, don't just tell the story of their rise and fall.  Examine the causes and effects of their movement too.

In order to help you choose a topic and find books, we will be spending an entire class period in the library examining their resources. At present, that day is scheduled on the syllabus (but may change). Like all classes, your attendance is required. One advance note of warning: You will not be able to complete this assignment with distinction unless you go outside the CSU-Pueblo Library to find your information.

No matter which option you select, you must consult at least four sources for your paper. At least two of these sources must be primary sources (material written at the time you are studying). Magazine articles and newspapers are fine, but not encyclopedias. You may use the internet sources, but only primary source material.  Because finding readily available primary sources may be difficult for some subjects, you may want to search out primary sources before choosing your topic.

Both footnotes (for direct quotations and/or statistics cited) and a bibliography (listing the sources you consulted in your research) are required. If you do not include these things your paper will not be accepted. However, the format which you use to document your research is up to you (as long as it fully documents your research so that I can trace it if I want too. That means page numbers!). For a guide to the most common footnote and bibliography format, the Chicago Style (a.k.a. Turabian), click here. If you do not know what footnotes and bibliography are, come see me immediately.

Before February 18th, you must e-mail me (at reesassignments@gmail.com) a note that lists your topic and at least two of the sources you will be using. If I do not receive the sheet describing your topic, the paper will not be accepted. Also, you cannot change topics after that date. If you have trouble choosing a topic, visit me during my office hours and I'll try to help. I might also be able to help you locate sources if your topic is something I know a bit about. No two students will be allowed to examine the same topic.  While it is highly unlikely two students will choose the exact the same topic, they will be allocated on a first-to-e-mail-me first-served basis.

On April 7th, you must have completed a draft of your paper for review. E-mail me one copy formy  comments and bring two other copies to class that day.  These will go to other students who will comment on your paper (you will take two different ones home to generate your own comments).  Those comments should be e-mailed to the student and cc'ed to me by April 11th.  The point of these comments is not to nitpick or to correct grammar, but to point out to the authors where there are arguments are unclear and ask questions or give comments that will help them clarify their thinking.  Good critiquing takes thought and as in all assignments, amount of thought is the criteria I'll use when grading those comments.  The draft paper you bring that day should demonstrate substantial progress on the assignment. Footnotes and a tentative bibliography are required as part of your drafts. After all, you have to assemble them by the end. Why not do it as you go?

The final paper will be due in class on April 19th.  Only typewritten papers will be accepted.

Should you miss any of these deadlines along the way (particularly the last one), I reserve the right to fail you for the entire assignment.

For advice on how to write good papers, click here.

If you have any questions about these instructions or the content of this paper, drop me an e-mail, come see me in my office hours or make an appointment.

Jonathan Rees
Associate Professor of History
Colorado State University - Pueblo
2200 Bonforte Boulevard
Pueblo, CO 81001
(719) 549-2541

E-Mail: Jonathan [dot] Rees [at] colostate-pueblo [dot] edu

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