The unessay is a creative research project that draws on skills you’ve developed in and out of class that will demonstrate what you’ve learned during the term. It will be worth 18% of your final grade.
Learning Goals
Demonstrate historical thinking skills in an argument, prove that argument using primary and secondary source evidence
Research, analyze, and discuss a historical issue
Demonstrate creativity and insight
Present a clear and well-researched argument/point of view about a historical issue
Choosing a Topic
You can choose any topic you wish, as long as it relates to US history from 1876-2005. Think about what has interested you from the course so far and follow that interest. Some broad areas from which to select a more specific topic might include:
empire
foreign relations
the environment
gender and sexuality
immigration
law and the courts
politics
popular culture
poverty and wealth
protest and dissent
public health
race and racism
religion
science/medicine
social life
sports and leisure
technology
transportation
war
Any individual, event, institution, or idea from the lecture or readings that you want to learn more about
What is an Unessay?*
For the unessay, I ask that you think inventively and creatively about an issue raised in the course and present it in a compelling, thoughtful way. The goal of this assignment is to spur you to think, research, and write (or not write!) about history more creatively beyond the confines of the traditional essay. It should be based on research and use at least 3 sources from the library (see “Bibliography” section below).
In an unessay you have complete freedom of form: you can use whatever style of writing, presentation, or media you want. What is important is that the format and presentation you use helps rather than hinders your argument about the topic. The form your unessay takes is limited only by your imagination. A few possibilities:
Draw a comic book
Write a short story (approximately 5-10 pages)
Create a video or podcast
Create a map of a historical event
Create a piece of art
Make an object such as a quilt
Make a zineLinks to an external site.
Write an imagined memoir from a person in history
Create a board game
Design an infographic
Write a series of poems
Cook historical recipes
Write and record a music composition
Visit a historic site and make a video about it
The sky is the limit!
Check out the unessay examples page (updated) for some inspiration!
Your unessay should consist of two parts:
A creative project that explores a question or issue from US history from 1876-2005
A 500-800 word reflection on your project
There are no strict length guidelines on the unessay, but whatever you create should have the same level of research and thought as you would put into a traditional research essay. You will be presenting the same in-depth information, but in a creative format. That said, here are some general suggestions:
Short stories, imagined memoirs, zines, and comic books should be approximately 5-10 pages
Videos and podcasts should be approximately 8-20 minutes
Social media pages should have at least 15-20 posts
Reflection
In addition to your unessay project, you will need to write a 500-800 word reflection about your unessay and what you have learned. This will be worth 20% of your unessay grade. The reflection can include:
An explanation of your unessay — What is it? What are you trying to say with it? How did you create it?
Why you chose this topic and format
A discussion of any difficulties or obstacles in creating your unessay
Any additional evidence or analysis relevant to your project
What you learned from this project
* The concept of the unessay comes from innovative professors in a variety of fields, including Emily Suzanne Clark, Ryan Cordell, Cate Denial, Christopher Jones, Daniel Paul O’Donnell, and others.
Sources and Bibliography
Your research should include at least three sources from the SMC Library(https://www.smc.edu/student-support/academic-support/library/), which should be listed in a bibliography at the end of your reflection. Citations should be in MLA format links to an external site..
What types of sources should you look for at the library?
Books, academic journal articles, academic book reviews, primary source documents, .edu websites
Check out the SMC Library’s History Research GuideLinks(https://smc.libguides.com/History) to an external site. and the Research Resources Module for more tips and resources!
Evaluation
Your unessay will be evaluated based on several questions:
Is the topic appropriate to the course, US History since Reconstruction?
Does it critically engage with its topic? Does it demonstrate insight and a clear perspective?
Does it effectively synthesize and analyze historical evidence?
Does it include specific historical details?
Does it demonstrate creativity and effort? Does its format make sense with the topic?
Does it cite at least four sources, two of which are from the SMC Library?
Does the accompanying reflection provide a clear explanation of the project?
Is the final product logically formatted, polished, and well-crafted?
Please look at the assignment rubric (below) to see how your work will be evaluated!
