1.  Choosing your topic and the relevant readings:  Your essay review should be on a major theme raised by the week's Core Readings.  A number of possible topics are listed on the syllabus, but you should feel free to propose alternative topics. Readings may be drawn from the bibliographies in Boyer and/or Griffith, from the lists of additional reading linked to each week's assignment, or from your own search of the library and recent journals. I will be happy to consult with you regarding the choice of topics or readings.  Be sure to check out your proposed topics and readings with me before you begin.  If you submit your proposals by e-mail at bgriff@american.edu,  I will try to get back to you just as soon as I can.

2.  Preparing your essay:  Your essay review should be based on 3-5 books (or their equivalents). Your essay review should begin by briefly establishing 1) the broad historical context (period, events, etc.) and 2) the broad historiographical context.  Identify the major issues at play and discuss and evaluate divergent interpretations and perspectives on these issues.  The format should be similar to that used in Reviews in American History (see below), or in the essay reviews occasionally published by the American Historical Review or the Journal of American History.  Your essay review should be approximately 10-15 pages or its equivalent.
 

Books/Articles Under Review with complete bibliographical citations.

Body of the Text. (Use parenthesis, author's name and page numbers to cite from the works under review; use end notes to cite references from the CORE or other readings.)

Footnotes.
 

4.  Commenting on the Essays:  Those students who are NOT preparing essays in a given week are responsible for reading the essays and posting thoughtful and substantive comments.  These comments must be posted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, before the beginning of class.   (I will prepare comments on your essay and communicate them to your privately following the class meeting.).

5.  Presenting Your Essay:  In class, you will be expected to lay out the main outlines of your essay in about 10-15 minutes, and respond to questions and comments raised by the other members of the class.  Please give some thought to your presentation.  It should be carefully planned and well-organized.

6.  Revising Your Essay:  If you wish, you may revise your essay and resubmit, providing your revision is submitted within two weeks of the original class meeting.