MID-TERM PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

Your mid-term project requires UTEP Library research.

Utilizing  El Paso Chronicles by Leon Metz, you are to select a topic that falls between 1881 and 1920. For example,

May 26, 1894: A city ordinance is passed restricting "the riding of ladies with case-hardened spiritual natures" in an area bounded by Seventh, Stanton, Oregon and the river. It also forbids any woman "good or bad," from riding astraddle a horse inside the city limits. Fines range from $10 to $100 (Page 124).

You are to research your topic in newspaper archives (microfilm) and library Special Collections to determine (in the above case) 1) What brought about the ordinance, 2) Who pushed for it, why? 3) who was against it, why? 4) how was the subject played out over time? 5) Did the ordinance stand or was it finally thrown out? 6) Anything else you can find out about it.

In other words, you are to research the topic you choose very thoroughly and elaborate on it in a research report.

*You must choose a tentative topic and submit it to the professor for approval no later than Friday, September 20th. The finished paper will be due on Friday, October 11th.

Your finished paper must be 5 pages in length (a minimum of 1000 words). It must be computer printed and double-spaced utilizing a type font no larger than this one. You must credit all sources you use (see web page on Plagiarism). You must include a cover sheet containing, 1) the title of your paper, 2) your name, row and seat number.

*You must submit your topic for approval to make sure there are adequate research resources available to address it. For example, March 14-16, 1895: The El Paso Cycling Association announces three days of racing (Page 125). Obviously, this passage is the only thing you would be able to come up with. Therefore, it would not be suitable as a topic.

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FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

Your final project requires UTEP Library research. This assignment requires the preparation of a written paper and an oral presentation.

Utilizing  El Paso Chronicles by Leon Metz, you are to select a topic that falls between1921 and 1960. For example,

August, 1943: A thousand Italian prisoners of war arrive in El Paso from Lordsburg. They are housed in the El Paso Coliseum for six months, and spend most of their time picking cotton on Lower Valley farms. They draw the prevailing wage of $1.50 per hundred pounds of short staple cotton. German POWs join them a year later.  (Page 236).

You are to research your topic in the main stacks of the library. You may use newspaper archives (microfilm) and library Special Collections if you wish to determine (in the above case) 1) Where did these prisoners come from in the first instance?  2) Why did they wind up in El Paso? 3) How long were they here? 4) How did El Paso, as a POW interment center, play out over time?  5) and anything else you can find out.

In other words, you are to research the topic you choose very thoroughly and elaborate on it in a research report. YOU MAY NOT USE THE INTERNET FOR THIS PROJECT - YOU MUST USE LIBRARY SOURCES ONLY! AND, ONE BOOK DOES NOT CONSTITUTE RESEARCH!

*You must choose a tentative topic and submit it to the professor for approval no later than Friday, November 8th. The finished paper will be due at the time of the final exam..

Your finished paper must be 5 pages in length (a minimum of 1000 words). It must be computer printed and double-spaced utilizing a type font no larger than this one. You must credit all sources you use by using footnotes or end notes (in-text notation is OK), and you must include a bibliography (works cited page). You must also include a cover sheet containing, 1) the title of your paper, 2) your name, row and seat number. Your project approval page must be attached as the final page of your paper.

IMPORTANT!!!

At the time of the final exam, you will turn in your completed papers at the beginning of class. Then, you will give a 5-minute report on your topic. I strongly suggest that you prepare an abstract (short summary) of your work on  3 x 5 cards so that you will be prepared. You WILL BE GRADED on your oral presentation as well as the paper itself.