just wondering how to approach these thesis papers. I'm a CALS student and I'm used to writing lab reports as opposed to structured papers that are based on historical material. Anyone want to point me in the right direction? I've looked at the syllabus and the outline structure is there, but I'm lost as to what topic to pick and how to gather evidence for a thesis I'm yet to form. Thanks y'all

2/14/2009 6:18:01 PM

Who are you taking the class with? I took the class five years ago (my freshman year), but I did mine on Andrew Jackson and I narrowed it down somehow, I'm not sure how. But it would help to know who your professor is.

2/15/2009 12:49:13 AM

basically, pick a topic, then narrow it down somehow

2/15/2009 10:40:04 PM

Go talk to your professor. How long does your paper have to be?

2/16/2009 2:36:43 AM

haha

Quote :

"basically, pick a topic, then narrow it down somehow"

amac is the shit

I'm Big Business and i approved this message.

2/16/2009 3:52:15 AM

taking it with Caddel. I took your advice and went and spoke to him. REALLY cleared things up. Turns out i just have to pick a historical topic that has been debated on between 1865 to present day.

my topic:

the new deal developed by FDR and if it helped the United States out of a time of socioeconomic downturn.

how does that sound? constructive criticism would be AWESOME, supposed to be a 5 pg paper

[Edited on February 16, 2009 at 12:30 PM. Reason : page length]

2/16/2009 12:13:08 PM

That's a very broad topic for a five page paper. Heck, you could discuss 1 of the aspects of the New Deal programs and still have more than enough for five pages.

I think if you start with something that wide, you're going to be swamped in information. Start narrower, and if you can't find enough information, then add another program. That'll keep your organization and focus easier to follow.

2/16/2009 12:40:08 PM

^makes sense

how about the employment stimulus programs that he developed?

2/16/2009 12:41:13 PM

That would be a good topic I think. There's so much information on the Public Works Administration, or the NIRA, or the Works Progress Administration.

As far as forming a thesis, unless you know a lot about the subject already, don't worry about that now. Pick something about the topic that interests you, and start your research in that direction. Don't focus on proving something yet. After you've done all your research you can choose a thesis that fits it all together.

2/16/2009 12:45:56 PM

Well, that is what I'm interested in, the whole concept of the creation of new jobs in a bad economy (mainly because that's a drastic version of the situation we are in now). So I guess researching one of those administrations in depth will give me a good idea?

2/16/2009 12:54:04 PM

btw I just started watching Caddel's DE lectures, and they are AMAZING, he's hilarious.

2/16/2009 12:58:23 PM

^^You can research those administrations and their history, or you can just look at journal articles on exactly the same subject you're thinking of. I'm assuming you know how to use the journal search tools through the library website?

2/16/2009 1:03:37 PM

Maybe rather than asking if it helped us out of a socioeconomic downturn you should focus on 1 or 2 things did indeed help.

... err i guess what Gzusfrk said, nevermind.

2/16/2009 1:06:36 PM

yeah i know about the journal database, i'll def. hit that up.

Gzufrk ftw for history advice

2/16/2009 1:11:03 PM

Caddell is THE MAN

2/16/2009 7:29:56 PM

I had Middleton for this class my freshman year. He was the worst professor I have ever had. He even changed the grading scale the day after the drop day.

2/16/2009 7:42:49 PM

shoulda had Mitchell

most fav history prof ever

3/14/2009 1:42:12 AM

^Yep, too bad I waited until my last semester to take one of her classes.

3/14/2009 1:54:46 AM

how is that narrowing down coming along

3/17/2009 12:57:02 PM

Eh, i ended up getting a B, which is solid for not having written any papers for a year and a half. I have a midterm due tomorrow that I'm working on right now. Any idea what the length for answering a topic is?

3/19/2009 9:00:55 PM

Most professors who don't give a length requirement expect you to answer the question given the the amount of information/research you have. I've been able to do that with both concise and longish papers.

3/20/2009 9:44:53 AM

I have him for normal class and he said wendesday that he just wants you to answer the question no page length. He may not like mine cause it is 4.5 pages. Oh well :o)

3/21/2009 2:51:48 PM

did you narrow down a topic for the mid term?

4/15/2009 9:45:16 PM