PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Due Monday, June 1 at 1:30 p.m.

DESCRIPTION

You will choose one of five primary documents related to key events and people in the Seattle region since 1877. Use the document as a starting point for a discussion of how this primary source reflects the broader cultural, political, or economic context of an era in modern American history. Your document choice will drive the focus of the paper, which is intended to explore one major strand of modern American history (for example: urban history; history of race and ethnicity; environmental history; economic history; political history; labor history). Analyze the document for how its approach, tone, or visual content and photo caption reveal values and opinions about particular people, groups, or institutions. Consider who is creating the document, who or what is its subject, and how and why their perspectives might differ. Discuss local and regional aspects, if any.

The article you choose is a starting point. The paper should draw upon other library sources beyond the class readings in making its argument. These sources can be primary (news articles on microfilm, digitized photographs, oral histories, government documents are some examples) or secondary (books written about the era or event by people who did not experience it directly). More context will make for stronger analysis. You are strongly encouraged to cite at least three other sources in addition to the class readings and lecture notes.

The paper should be 5-7 pages in length, double spaced. It should be footnoted in either MLA or Chicago style.

You may also want to consult my additional style guidelines and grading standards.

DOCUMENTS

1. News article on Seattle’s “hobo” problem, 1914 [PDF] and [Transcript]

2. Photograph from Mount Rainier National Park, 1925 [PDF]

3. Photograph of Japanese Girls’ Basketball Team, Auburn, 1939 [PDF]

4. News article and photograph of proposed freeway through Arboretum, 1955 [PDF]

5. Two companion news articles on Seattle’s economic woes of 1970 [Page 1] and [Page 2]

USEFUL RESOURCES

For a guide to primary and secondary sources in the library, consult our course's library research page. For a searchable index of news articles on microfilm, go to the Pacific Northwest Regional Newspapers and Periodical Index. For digital photographs, go to UW Libraries Digital Collections.