Current Events
Research Assignment (20%)
Introduction: HIST 1130 Current Events teaches students the methods of learning and understanding history which allows students to link history to relevant current events. Throughout the course, students have been introduced to basic methods of critical thinking historians use when they are developing a historical narrative. From creating a periodization to identify common characteristics during a specific period, to identifying themes to describe key features of a historical narrative. With these methods, historians are able retell narratives of the past and connect their relevance within the present.
Your Task: For this assignment, students are to place themselves in the shoes of a future historian analyzing contemporary current events. Students are to select a minimum of 2 current events. From this, students are to develop a possible historical theme or periodization label that can applied to the contemporary period. Ask the question, “What will future historians have to say about the selected current events?”
Requirements:
- Identify a minimum of 2 current events that relate to your chosen
- Identify your chosen theme or period
- Provide a thoroughly written description explaining your chosen theme or period label with direct references to the lecture material.
- 4 sources in 2 current event news articles. 2 academic secondary sources
- Each source must have APA reference and a brief explanation on its connection to your current event.
- A fully written response that includes ideas from Sections A & B and APA formatted in text citations.
Academic Integrity: Use your own words to communicate your original ideas within this assignment. Use of any form of generative AI is prohibited for this assignment. The outline and written section should be written on your own without help from other students. Use of AI in any capacity or copying any written work from other sources throughout this assessment process will be in violation of Niagara College’s Academic Offences policy and could result in Academic Integrity Violations.
Due April 2nd on D2L
Section A: Finding Sources
1A): Demonstrate Your Ability to Find Appropriate Information: In the space below, present your instructor with two secondary sources to support your periodization label or historical theme. One source must be an online news article discussing your current event
For each text, provide the following three details, in the appropriate spaces:
- Title: Provide a full reference for your chosen text, using the appropriate academic style. If you are unable to locate key bibliographic information, you may want to reconsider whether it is a suitable resource. You will be graded on your ability to identify two different texts (News article & Secondary Source) using the appropriate APA style guide.
- Why this text is useful: In this section, briefly indicate the kind of information or perspective this text will add to your understanding. In other words, how does it help you answer your research question?
- You will be graded on your ability to demonstrate that each text is potentially relevant to your research.
Example:
TEXT #1: Current Event Article Title:
Why this text is relevant:
TEXT #2: Current Event Article Title:
Why this text is relevant:
TEXT #2: Secondary Source Title:
Why this text is relevant:
TEXT #3: Secondary Source Title:
Why this text is relevant:
Section B: Analysis
1B) Identify Two Current Events: Identify two current events that you will be using for this assignment. You will be graded on your ability to identify a minimum of two current events and providing APA in-text citations.
2B) Identify Your Chosen Period Label or Historical Theme: In a clear academic sentence, identify your chosen period label or historical theme. Your chosen theme or period label will be graded according to its clarity and providing APA in-text citations.
3B) Explain Why You Chose This Period Label or Historical Theme: In approximately 2-3 sentences, explain why you chose this period label or historical theme and specific current events that align with your ideas. You will be graded on your ability to support you answer with reference to material discussed in the course using proper APA in-text citations.
Section C: Writing
Write your full response below: Using the space below, write your research findings in a
structured paragraph. These components must be discussed. 1. State your theme or period label in an academic sentence 2. Explain your theme or period label. 3. Using your academic sources, use information from scholars to back up your chosen theme or period label – Make sure to include proper APA style in-text citations.
Word Count: 1000-1100
No. of Pages: 7