Q2 Fall 2007 -- Background

Paris and Berlin in the 1920s – Spring 2009 -- First Essay

Prepare an essay responding to one of the questions linked at the bottom of the page.

Support your answer with evidence drawn from the readings, the course web site, the lectures, and class discussions. (In most cases the papers will be based entirely upon this material, but should you make use of any other materials, be sure to clearly indicate in an endnote or footnote where you have gotten materials, even if you do not quote directly from the sources.)

In your essay attempt to synthesize the material we have covered in the readings, lectures, discussions, the web, and media presentations. Be sure to make specific references to particular artists, works, or techniques to support your arguments. Remember that everything that you have learned will not be relevant to answer a particular question, and you will have to carefully determine which evidence is relevant to answering each question and then demonstrate this relevance through your argument.

You will need to develop your own interpretation of the material. This should be presented as a clear thesis early in the paper. The rest of the paper should be devoted to convincing a reader that this thesis is credible.

Essays should be carefully thought out and well written. We strongly recommended that you go through several drafts.

The Form of the Essay:

You must indicate the source of any ideas or evidence that you use -- whether you are directly quoting or just paraphrasing. For materials from the readers, you need only provide the source and the page number (i.e. Shattuck, p.7 or "Course Reader," p.95) For material from lecture just put in parentheses the date of the lecture (i.e."Lecture, Jan. 17). For material from the course web site just provide the number of the week, the author [if provided] and the title of the web page (i.e. Week 2, Tzara, "To write a Dadaist poem).

A cover sheet should be on top with your team number, the number of the question you are answering, and your name. Also write your name on the back, but not the front, of each sheet of the essay. [This will allow anonymity in grading.]

It is fine to discuss the material from the course in general with other members of the class, but be sure to formulate your thesis, find your evidence, and do the writing on your own. Be sure to no let anyone else who is taking the class see your paper before class on February 24.

In addition to the printed copy, an electronic copy of the paper should also be uploaded into the drop box under the "In Touch" tab of OnCourse.

Length:

We will cease reading essays at the end of the fifth page, and nothing that follows will be considered in determining your grade.

You should use standard margins (at least one inch) and fonts no smaller than 12cpi.

Extra copy:

It is your responsibility to keep an extra copy of the final draft of the paper until the original is returned to you.

Due Date:

An electronic version must also be uploaded through the Assignments page in OnCourse by the time class begins on April 7.

Getting Feedback

Please feel free to come in and talk with us about the essay or about any material that has not been clear.

If you have a conflict that makes it impossible to visit our regular office hours, please e-mail us at the addresses on the homepage of this web site.