CLAS 2P34 Study Guide - Final Guide: Online Writing Lab, Human Beings In Buddhism, Modern Language Association
3 Jun 2018
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© Nadine Brundrett, Brock University
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RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES FOR CLAS/INCT 2P34
As noted in the syllabus, you will be required to write a research paper for this
course. The paper will consist of 7-9 pages (around 2000-2500 words) excluding
the accompanying title page, bibliography and illustrations. The paper will
provide a deeper analysis of one of the following topics we covered in Seminar:
Göbekli Tepe, Amarna, Hattusa, Nimrud (Kalhu), or Delphi. A number of
available resources have already been chosen for each topic and it will be up to
you to utilize some or all of these to construct your paper. You must utilize at
least one of the primary sources (in the PSR documents) and the modern
(scholarly) article we covered in seminar on the topic in your paper. (The
exception is the topic on Göbekli Tepe which does not have an associated PSR
document.) You may use the Gates textbook, or any of the other seminar
readings for your research.
Other secondary readings and links to the most significant Internet sites and
Youtube documentaries have been provided for each topic on Sakai, and these
should also be consulted. In addition you can also conduct your own research
from scholarly books and journal articles on sites such as JSTOR. (The latter can
be found on the Brock Library website under databases). Other Internet sites may
also be used but only reputable or scholarly sites by Academic Institutions,
Museums, Archaeological organizations or scholars can be used. The use of
Internet sites which provide only general, blog, or opinionated information
must be avoided and your paper will be penalized on the quality of your
research if you make extensive use of these sorts of sites. When you are
consulting a site ask yourself who has posted this information and do they have
considerable knowledge or expertise of the topic you are researching. If the
answer is “no” or “I cannot tell”, then do not use the site.
The paper will be handed in to Turnitin.com where it will be marked by your
Seminar Leader. The Paper due dates are listed in the syllabus and there will
be a late penalty of 3% a day. The only exception will be for a valid medical
reason accompanied by a signed note by a doctor. See the medical exemption
policy offered in the syllabus.
*** Papers will not be accepted after the final date offered on the syllabus – in
this case the final exam in April.
STRUCTURE OF THE PAPER:
1. The introduction of your paper should start with a short overview of the
history of the chosen site, covering aspects such as its location, period(s) of
occupation, and major phases of construction and/or habitation.
2. Your introduction must also include a thesis statement offering your
intentions to the reader. The thesis statement will explain the goal of the
paper and reveal the main point(s) which will be explored. The thesis
statement should be clear so the reader understands your position and knows
what to expect in the subsequent discussion in the paper.
3. Do not include any vague or general background details on the culture in the
introduction, as there is neither any space for generalities, nor do they offer
© Nadine Brundrett, Brock University
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any depth to your discussion. Get right to the point of the topic even in the
introduction.
4. In the main body of the paper you will discuss the evidence derived from
both the archaeological and ancient sources (PSR documents). Here you can
provide a deeper analysis of the important aspects you have chosen to discuss
about your site. The paper must not cover the entire site, as this would prove
too large, rather you should choose the monument(s) and evidence from the
primary sources which can best provide the evidence necessary to support
your thesis statement.
5. The paper will finish with a conclusion which sets the nature of the
problem within a wider context. The conclusion must not simply be a
reiteration of your introduction, but could look ahead to potential new
avenues to be explored as new material comes to light through more
archaeological research. Or it could offer a statement on the modern geo-
political realities on the difficulties in conducting more archaeology at the
site. But this is not a new topic, so only a couple of sentences should be
devoted to these speculations.
6. The paper must contain a bibliography of the sources consulted.
Illustrations are also most welcome to help the reader follow your discussion.
See below for more details on illustrations.
CONDUCTING YOUR RESEARCH:
In order to help focus your research and create your thesis statement you should
consider answering some of the following questions. They are general, but they
can help get you started on developing your focus. For example:
- Do we know who built or designed the site or the monument?
- What particular activities happened at the site or in the monument?
- How did the religious practices and beliefs of the society play a role in the
appearance of the site or specific monuments at the site?
- Were there any specific design or organizational principles followed and if
so why?
- What did the builder/s gain by undertaking this construction for their
community?
- How did this space fit the needs of the builders, designers and/or the
visitors/inhabitants of the site?
- What was the response of the viewers either to the site as a whole, or more
specifically to certain monuments within the site?
- And finally how does all this aid our understanding of the ancient culture
you are discussing?
These questions are meant as a guide, and there are others you could ask, but
remember you cannot answer all of them in a paper of this size. A paper with a
narrower focus on a specific aspect of an ancient site will provide a greater depth
of discussion and will do better than one that covers too much information with
only a shallow analysis. Offer details, details, details!
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Since this is an archaeological research paper, a few illustrations or plans are
also necessary for the most significant monuments or structures you discuss and
