The purposes of the assignment are to discover how 20th
century history can be seen in peoples’ lives, to use sources historically, and to
learn how to develop ideas and convey them effectively. If you need help, be sure to see
or E-mail me, talk to the peer tutor, or visit the Writing Center. The paper should be four
to six typed, double-spaced pages. Use the Guide to Writing Papers
and Tips for Interviewers on the course Web Site. Each semester
some papers will be chosen to become part of this site, a permanent contribution to the
study of the modern world. For examples of successful
papers click on LIVES
If you quote or refer to material make sure to provide appropriate endnote
references. If you do not know how to write endnotes, ask me for help. There are also
several online guides. Check the Reference section of this site.
ESSAYS ARE DUE ON
LAST DAY OF CLASSES: MAY 15
FIRST STAGE: Interview someone at
least sixty-five years of age or older (the older the better) to learn about life in the
20th century. [A guide, Tips for Interviewers, is
available online.] As you work up questions for the interview keep some of these points in
mind:
1. What ISSUES of 20th-century
history affected your subject’s life?
2. What EVENTS were the most important
influences on your subject?
3. As you hear the person’s life story, try to place it into CONTEXT. What DOCUMENTS from the Source Book
are useful for understanding these issues and events? Can you find
other materials on the Internet that are related to your subject’s life? (Think of your interview as a way of adding another original source to the SB or
online collections.) It would be wise to have two interview sessions, the second for a
follow up after you look for materials in the TB and SB that seem to be connected to your
subject’s experiences.
SECOND STAGE: Use the interview
notes and course materials to write an essay of between four and six typed, double-spaced
pages [1000-1500 words] on what this person’s life story teaches about the modern
world. Think of your interview notes as an addition to the source book. Remember, this is
an essay, not a compilation of all your notes. It should be structured to develop a THESIS. Your thesis should make a statement about how
one person’s life illustrates one of the major themes
that shaped 20th-century history.
FORUM ITEM: I’ll open an item in Caucus called "20th-Century
Lives." As you work on this project, post at least one part of your interview
that tells a brief story [one or two paragraphs] illustrating some facet of
20th-century experience. You will find examples at this
BBC site on WW I
