Model Assignment: AFR 123 Research Paper

Research paper 1 (10 points):

Students are required to write a 3-4 page research paper on a topic assigned by the professor in the first month of the semester. It should be typed in 12 point font, double spaced with a cover page and APA style formatting and bibliography. The professor will review format, APA style, and other requirements by the second week of class. Use at least 3 sources (NOT including the textbook), plus an interview. Due

Here are the topics for the first research paper (Paper 1):

Pick one:

• Explore the theory that the origins of humanity are in Africa – that all human beings are descendants of Africans. Explain the theory, disuss the evidence and the analysis, and critique the theory and the lack of publicity about this theory. Interview someone to find out what they know about this theory and what reactions they have to it.
• Describe the Atlantic Slave Trade and the “Middle Passage.” Define the “triangular trade,” and the “Middle Passage.” Provide statistics and examples of how the slave trade worked, the geography of it, whom it impacted, and its consequences. Explain the relevance to the African American experience, as well as to developments in Europe, Africa and the USA. Interview someone to find out what they know about this theory and what reactions they have to it.
• Explore early African American community life, especially for free Blacks. Explain the role of independent Black Churches and schools, and Black organizations (such as Fraternal and mutual aid societies). Why were African American enclaves and Black leadership important and how did they affect African Americans, white Americans and US politics? Interview someone to find out what they know about this theory and what reactions they have to it.

Choose one of the above topics for this short paper. The purpose of the short research paper (3-4 pages) is to give the student practice collecting and synthesizing information, writing a scholarly essay in APA format, conducting an interview and using the information from the interview in a scholarly way, incorporating your own experience into academic analysis. The student should use no less than 3 academic sources, NOT including the textbook, and an interview. The interview can be done with a friend or family member, or a teacher or expert. It should be at least 15 minutes long and the questions and a summary of the responses (answers) should be attached to the paper (as an Appendix).

Your short paper should include:

1. A cover page with your name, title, date, professor’s name and course name and semester. [Please include with all papers.]
2. A general overview of the problem or issue you researched. (1 paragraph)
3. A paragraph or two about the problem, with some data or quotes from other authors about the problem. (1/2 page)
4. A page or two discussion about what information you found, and what perspectives other scholars have on the issue (a review of the literature). (1 ½ to 2 pages)
5. A page or half page summary of the interview you conducted, your interviewee’s perspective and information gotten from the interview. ( ½ to 1 page)
6. A brief comparison between the research you found (that of other scholars you studied), your own experience and perspective, and that of the interviewee. ( ½ to 1 page)
7. Conclusions – Brief summary of your findings. What do you now know about the subject, what are the continuing controversies; what can be learned; how has the interview helped you to understand the subject. What more would you want to know and/or what more needs to be known or done about the subject? (one paragraph to 1/2 page)
8. The Interview questions and a summary of the responses (answers) should be attached to the paper as an Appendix.
9. Bibliography APA style.

Hard Copy due at the beginning of class on             . Do not miss class to finish the paper, I will take off points or not accept it if it is not turned in the first 10 minutes of class. Worth 10 Points.