In this paper, you will be asked to critically analyze a movie on slavery or the Civil War/Reconstruction of your choosing (based on a list of accepted movies), where you will craft an argument about the films historicity. You will use a mixture of prim

In this paper, you will be asked to critically analyze a movie on slavery or the Civil War/Reconstruction of your choosing (based on a list of accepted movies), where you will craft an argument about the films historicity. You will use a mixture of primary and secondary sources to support your argument. Papers must be between 1250-1500 words, and be double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-point font, with 1-inch margins, using Chicago Manuel Style for citations. (Citations will be discussed in class, but refer to this link as a reference: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html.)

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History 101 Research Paper Assignment (80 points)

 

PROMPT

 

Over the last decade, there have been a number of highly acclaimed feature films about American slavery in the mid-1800s prior, and leading up to, the Civil War. Each of these films differ in their main storylines, and the particular stories that they tell about American slavery. Each of these films also vary in terms of their historicityof how accurate they are historically in their representation of slavery, slaveholding/slave masters, slave rebellions, and many other aspects of slavery.

 

In this research paper, you are asked to make an argument about one of these movies historical accuracy in terms of its representation of slavery and/or other elements of the movies primary plotline. To do this, you are required to use scholarly research sources, both primary and secondary, to support your argument.

 

You are to watch any ONE of the five movies, which are available to stream for free on Canvas:

Birth of a Nation

12 Years a Slave

Free State of Jones

Django Unchained

Harriet (do not have free stream, yet)

 

You may propose a different movie to watch/write about, but you must discuss with me privately.

 

PAPER REQUIREMENTS

 

Between 1250-1500 words (approx. 4-5 pages)

Double-spaced, Times New Roman, Size 12 Font, One-inch margins

Must have at least 3 scholarly sources (see below)

Must be formatted according to Chicago Manual Style, with proper citations (see below)

Must have a clear argument based on the movie

 

 

WHAT DO I MEAN BY AN ARGUMENT?

 

The goal of this assignment is not to craft a complex research argument about the specific details of the movies accuracy. (Due to the nature of film as entertainment, there are many details of each movie that are false.) Thus, the goal is to more broadly argue for the movies representation about a particular aspect of slavery, such as: the relationship between slaves and slaveholders, feelings/actions of rebellion or resistance, depictions of violence and/or physical abuse, slave culture and family life, free black communities, and so on. (There are countless examples.)

 

Think about how these movies depict these aspects of slavery and slave life during the 1800s. Are they accurate? Why or why not? For example, heres a thesis statement:

 

In Django Unchained (2012), the movie very accurately depicts the power that slaves had at the time through Jamie Foxs character, who rises to power and becomes a vigilante killer just like slaves did against white slaveholders in real life. [NOTE: This is false, so dont use this one!]

 

Then, over the course of your paper, you would write about and analyze different parts of the movie that show this, with evidence from historical sources to support this claim. In this paper, you will learn how to: a) organize an argument in an essay; and b) provide evidence to support an argument through research.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SOURCES

 

You must use at least 3 scholarly sources, including at least 1 primary source. Other sources that count include books and journal articles. You may also use the textbook and my lectures, but these do not count as your 3 sources but do count as sources beyond the first 3. (I would certainly advise you to rely on them for additional evidence.) Please refer to the additional handout for how to search for scholarly sources and places to find sources on slavery, including primary sources.

 

 

CHICAGO MANUAL STYLE CITATIONS

 

To cite sources in their research, historians use footnotes (or endnotes). In your research paper, you must also use footnotes to cite your sources in your paper and replaces the bibliography. Incorrect citations will lose you points. We will go over how to properly cite sources in class, but here is an example of a book citation:

 

Author of book, title of book (location of publisher: publisher, year), page number.

 

1. Barry M. Goldenberg, The Unknown Architects of Civil Rights (Los Angeles: Critical Minds Press, 2011), 19.

 

Please refer to Purdue OWL for instructions of how to cite different kinds of sources:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/chicago_manual_of_style_17th_edition.html (or type in Google Purdue OWL CMS)