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Group Research Project One Due Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2004, at the beginning of class Length: roughly 1250 words (3-4 pages) Format: MLA Purpose and Rationale The purpose of this project is to provide an introduction to library research, especially using print rather than Web sources. In the process, we will learn more about the historical context for Baldwin’s essay—both when he experienced the events (1943) and when he published the essay (1955). Your group assignment: Find at least three sources, either books or magazine or newspaper articles, providing information about your subject. Your paper should highlight key information, suggest its relevance to Baldwin’s essay, and note any discrepancies you encounter in coverage of your topic. You’ll turn in a Works Cited page, carefully and correctly composed, with your paper. Group 1 Subject: Detroit Riots of 1943. Hints: Remember that “Negroes” might be a useful search term, especially if you’re looking in newspaper or magazine indexes for 1943. When searching the online catalog, try keywords “riots” and “Detroit.” Be sure to pay attention to dates (you’ll see there are more sources on the 1967 riots). Group 2 Subject: Harlem Riot of 1943. See hints for Group 1. Try keywords “riots” and “Harlem” in the online catalog. Group 3 Subject: African American Soldiers in World War II. Hints: the online catalog uses the Library of Congress subject heading “World War, 1939-1945” for World War II. When searching for books, try the subject heading “World War, 1939-1945—African Americans.” Group 4 Subject: Harper’s, Nov. 1955. Find the original published essay by Baldwin. Compare it to the version in your book: How do the two versions differ, and what do the differences suggest? Then look at some of the surrounding material—subjects of other articles, photographs, advertisements—from Harper’s in 1955. Draw on at least two other articles from that year to present a “picture” of 1955—and Baldwin’s audience. Group 5 Subject: The Civil Rights Movement in 1955. What were the significant events of 1955 in the Civil Rights Movement? Name those that received significant coverage, and then concentrate on one event and its coverage. Search terms might include “boycott,” “civil rights movement,” and the names of particular cities in the South (Birmingham, Mobile, etc.) Group 6 Using the Book Review Index (compiled annually, shelved in reading area to the left of the Reference area), locate and read at least three substantial reviews of the book published as Notes of a Native Son. What do the reviews notice about this collection of essays? What do they praise? What do they criticize? How do they agree and disagree? Resources You’ll find helpful the following print resources: The Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature, compiled annually, shelved on tables to the left of the Undergraduate Library Reference section Facts on File, compiled annually, in the UGL Reference section Editorials on File, compiled annually, in the UGL Reference section New York Times Index, shelved to the left of the UGL Reference section Library of Congress Subject Headings (five red volumes on platform behind the Circulation Desk) And where, you ask, is the UGL Reference section? Go past the Circulation Desk in the Undergraduate Library, turn right, and you’ll walk straight into it. Online resources (see the UGL listing of databases) include: UIUC online library catalog for books General hints: When you’re searching for sources, keep a record of the terms you tried and where they worked (i.e., online catalog, New York Times Index, etc.). When you record information from a source, be sure to write down the author and title of the source and the page number where you found the information. For newspaper and magazine articles, record the dates of publication. Grading for the Group Presentations: You’ll be graded on the information you provide, your ability to note discrepancies in various accounts, the connections you make between your research and the Baldwin essay, and your Works Cited page. Your project is analytical—not simply a report. You may divide up the work of researching, writing, revising, and editing the paper, and compiling the Works Cited page as you collectively see fit. In addition to the paper (due February 24 at the beginning of class), I will ask each of you to submit an account of who did what. If one or more members of your group missed meetings or failed to contribute in any meaningful way, this is where you tell me. If each of you writes that all members of the group made substantial conversations, each member of the group will receive the same grade. I won’t hesitate to give a failing grade to a group member who contributed nothing, by other members’ accounts, especially if the person in question can’t convincingly document his or her contribution. Support: I will hold my office hours on Tuesday, February 10thin the Undergraduate Library. I strongly suggest that at least one member of each group come see me for a tour of the relevant resources during that time: the assigned member can then share this knowledge with others in the group. |