AP Modern European History

Links:

Congratulations! You will be delving into research of the Victorian era by examining the same topics as the prestigious Cambridge Victorian Studies Group and by reviewing the writings of many of the foremost historians in this field of study. Very impressive company to be keeping!

1. You may choose from a variety of disciplines and topics including:
a. the evolution of academic research; new studies and the challenge to existing paradigms
b. ideas of development and evolution and the multitude of disciplines influenced by new ways of thinking in these fields
c. interactions between science and literature, e.g. in the sub-genres of autobiography, the historical novel, and cosmological narratives
d. the disciplinary emergence of the anthropological sciences and other ways of putting human development into longer-term perspectives
e. ideas of modernization, especially after 1870
f. gender issues ex. Views on the role of women
g. the growing awareness of forces of change in human biology, ecology, the historic built and natural environments
h. Victorian social norms and the effect they would have on society in Britain and around the globe
i. Social class evolution in Britain
j. Additional ideas?

2. You will discuss contemporary historic, social, literary or other theories as they pertain to study in your selected field in a thorough literature review. Carefully review the site below for a detailed explanation of the process - http://www.bc.edu/libraries/research/howdoi/s-litreview/ or
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html

3. You will research your topic in depth, focusing on scholarly reviewed works, and develop a literature review. You must identify and discuss 3-5 seminal or landmark BOOKS that address your topic. You must also identify recent scholarly discussion that has furthered understanding or stimulated debate within your area of research. How has this new work shaped debate or caused scholars to rethink "old" theories?

This is not a quick process! It requires diligence and attention to detail.

4. You will present an overview of your research via a brief multimedia presentation to the class.

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Research Progress Check
Period 3 - 12/20
Period 5 12/20
Period 7 12/19

You need to submit in writing:
1. Your refined topic
2. A list of books and articles that you have located specifically addressing your topic
a. 3-5 books that are considered seminal/landmark. These may be recent or works that have stood the test of time. (Keep in mind that you must also be able to justify this selection when writing your review).
b. Relevant journal articles addressing current academic/historical research within your chosen field. (Keep in mind that you must also be able to justify this selection when writing your review).

It will not be enough to simply look at a bunch of abstracts. You must READ in order to justify your selections and discuss the merits of each. You must also decide on a purpose depending on your topic and the information available.