Art History 301: Modern Art and Architecture
Research Paper Assignment
Fall, 2002

Students in Modern Art and Architecture are required to do a research paper due Wed., Dec. 4.
Topic: The paper, which should be six to eight pages in length, can be on any topic related to art during the period covered by this course, 1900-1945, but should be carefully focused. Choose a specific work of art or an aspect of an artist's work (for example, the influence of Japanese art on Frank Lloyd Wright). It is essential that you consider critical theory on your topic. And develop a thesis--that is, make a significant point about it. Do not simply write a report.

Research: Your research must include at least four substantial academic and/or critical sources. By "academic source" I mean works by scholars who document their sources in notes and bibliographies. Look for refereed journals such as Art Bulletin or Woman's Art Journal, catalogues from exhibitions, and books on your topic. (The Hunter Jacobus text may be cited but does not count as one of the four major sources.) One or two internet sources may be cited if they are solidly academic in nature and substantial in content (no book reviews, for instance). It is not acceptable to use only the internet.
You are encouraged to use the documents and essays in Chipp’s Theories of Modern Art as sources for your paper. However, since most of the writings in Chipp are excerpts, you should go to the original source. Read the entire work and cite the original source in your paper. Excerpts, or brief pieces such as a letter or interview, are perfectly acceptable as sources in addition to your four principal ones, but they won’t count as one of the four.

Proposal: Your investigation into possible topics should begin immediately. A one-page proposal is due Wed., Sept. 30. This proposal, which must be typed on a single page (front only), should include
1) a specific title
2) a brief description of what you are planning to research, and
3) a working bibliography
Please note: if the topic you submit Sept. 30 is too broad or otherwise unacceptable, I will require you to submit a revised proposal on Mon., Oct. 16. The proposal is an essential part of the research paper assignment: failure to turn in a proposal (or revised proposal, if required) will result in a reduction of your final grade on the paper.

Form: the paper must be six to eight typed or word-processed pages (double-spaced, in standard 10 or 12-point font). Staple your paper; do not put it in a cover. Include postcards, photocopies, or drawings of images you write about. Label them "fig. 1," "fig. 2," and so forth, provide captions, and refer to them parenthetically in the text. Example:
Wright particularly admired pillar prints (fig. 5).
This paper should be in standard academic language, that is, formal in tone, with no contractions or slang. It should also use standard MLA bibliographic form (in-text citations to document the use of ideas from your sources and a bibliography of works cited). Consult the Bedford Handbook for the proper form. I encourage you to submit a draft of your paper a week or two before the due date for feedback and guidance on revision.

Academic integrity: When you refer to the ideas of others, whether by quotation or paraphrase, it is essential to provide proper attribution and citation. Failure to do so is considered academically dishonest and will not be tolerated. Penalties are a grade of 0 on the paper and suspension from the college. Please ask if you are in doubt about when to cite the work of another or how to make the citation.

Criteria for Grading Papers Inadequate Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
F D C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A

Quality of proposal/thesis

Development of ideas (depth of discussion)

Appropriate in-text citations (sufficient citations, proper form)

Quality of research (four academic sources?)

Logical organization

Clarity of expression (concise language)

Grammar and mechanics

Use of illustrations (captions; references in text)

Form of bibliography

Proofreading