Primary source Journal Instructions-3
Primary Source Journals – Assignment Instructions
As part of our course content, students will compose three “primary source journals” during the course of the semester. One journal will be due during each unit of study.
The instructions are the same for all three journals, however primary sources available for each journal will be paired to the civilizations studied during that unit.Click next to see the options for this unit
At the beginning of each unit you will be prompted to select one of the assigned primary sources. Next you will write a draft of your journal during the four modules of the unit. Finally, you will submit a final copy at the end of the unit. All due dates are recorded by assignments listed on the modules tab.
Course Objective: Primary Source Journal Objective:
Course Objective 2: Discuss how history is written and interpreted so that they may reach an appreciation and understanding of the process of “figuring out” the past. Identify the main thesis of a primary source and explain how the civilization that produced the source influenced that thesis.
Directly quote three examples from a primary source article and interpret all three quotations
Course Objective 3: Attain a strong base of support, through the enhancement of critical thinking skills, in their further pursuit of educational goals and in life outside of academia. Compare the civilization in the article to our current civilization or your own personal perspective. Reflect on the reason for differences and similarities that you note.
Practice effective communication by writing complete sentences, clearly and without spelling or grammar errors. Effective communication allows your meaning to be clearly understood, which will support all your future endeavors
Primary sources are documents and records produced by the people of the past. Read this downloadto learn more about the difference between primary and secondary sources.
For each unit we cover, students will select a short primary source, as provided by the instructor on Canvas), and compose a short, 3-5 paragraph response (or 12-15 sentences) to their selection. The response will be based on a set of questions provided by the instructor.
Please watch the lectures about primary source journals to help you get started. For the first journal the lectures are built in requirements of the Unit 1 module, and for the other two journals you may use these links to return and watch the lectures again if you need a refresher.
primary vs. secondary:
https://youtu.be/QY1mtjq_1QY (Links to an external site.)
journal details:
https://youtu.be/cDsqvvHmNyQ (Links to an external site.)
writing requirements:
https://youtu.be/rgg7Llrrltk (Links to an external site.)
Also, this Smarthinking guide for Rhetorical Analysis (Links to an external site.) is built into the Unit 1 module, and is linked here so that you may reference it easily for the other two journals.
Requirements for the journals are as follows:
Journals must be typed and submitted through canvas. Include a heading with the date, and the class name, HIST 1040. A bibliographic citation (Turabian style) of your selection must also be included in the heading.
Here’s an example of what you’re your heading should look like:
HIST 1040 – Journal #1 – February 17, 2016
[Citation of Source Here]
Citations for all sources will be provided by the instructor. Make sure to use the citation given at the bottom of the last page of each source.
Journals will be graded on content and grammar. Cumulatively 3 journals will count as 15% of your grade
The heading on your journal should appear in the format given above. If your heading does not include the citation of your source, your journal will be penalized 10%.
Make sure the subject of your journal is a primary source; journals on secondary sources (like your textbook) will be subject to rewrite, with a 25% penalty. *You may use the textbook to help with your journal, but your journal must have a primary source as the subject.
Avoid use of the second person “you” in journal assignments. For example, do not write, “Hammurabi’s Code tells you about the nature of the criminal justice system in ancient Babylon.”
Do write: “Hammurabi’s Code reveals the nature of the criminal justice system in ancient Babylon. ” (This is third person, the standard point of view for a formal essay).
For the first journal, use of the second person will be penalized 5%. For the next journal, 10% will be deducted, and 15% for the third.
Your response must be in essay format.
To help frame your journal response include answers to these questions
What is the title of your source, and who is the author? (it’s okay if the author is unknown)
What is the type of primary source are you using? (refer to “Primary v. Secondary Sources” handout)
From which era of History did it originate? (use the title of the chapter to which your source corresponds)
What is the main idea, or thesis of your source?
Give three directly quoted examples from the source that support the thesis. Note: You must also offer an interpretation (in your own words) of each quote you select (1 point per quote, 1 per interpretation).
What does the source reveal about the beliefs, values, or lifestyles of the people or of the civilization it came from? (By reading the source, what can you infer about the person or persons, or about the world that produced your source?).
How does your perspective compare or contrast with the view of the world expressed by the author(s) of the source?
Please Note: Try not to compose your essay too clinically or conversationally. Frame your response in a third-person narrative format (never use 2nd person, and limit use of 1st person).
Due Dates and Penalties
Journals are due on the date(s) specified. Journals turned in after the due date will be penalized with a 10% deduction per day. Deductions are applied automatically by canvas beginning at the due time. Journals will not be accepted after the assignment locks without documentation of a valid excuse covering the entire time the assignment was available.
Please let me know if you have any questions concerning this assignment.
Good Luck!
