Guidelines for Final Research Project

“When the Indian account includes the mechanics of the event,
it should be regarded as a valid eyewitness event.”            Vine Deloria, Jr.

The research project assignment asks you to identify a topic that:

— provides an analysis of an issue relevant Native Americans in the present within its historical context, or;
— provides an analysis of a historical problem that has consequences for Indian people or communities in the present.

Instructions:

Your paper must be 8-12 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, and with normal margins and type size.  For any project that results in an alternative final form, please discuss the equivalent with me.

Be sure to cite all sources in the body of your paper  (Deloria, 163) or as a footnote1, as well as in a list of “References Cited” at the end of your paper.  For and example of History-style bibliographic references click here.

The paper must be submitted in class on Thursday, December 2nd.  No exceptions!

Some parameters:

The object of the research project is go beyond the surface in seeking to understand an aspect or issue  presented in this course that you find interesting.  As Vine Deloria notes above, taking Indian accounts seriously can complicate matters.  Welcome these complications.

Your project may be an individual or group effort.  Group projects are encouraged, and must include a section in the final report describing the specific contributions of each member of the team.

The point of departure for your project should be some text, document, article, or theme included in the course. 

PLEASE look over this "Checklist for Better Writing" before writing up your research project.

Progress Report:

Please turn in a progress report of your research project on Tuesday, November 9 at the beginning of class.  It should consist of 1-2 double-spaced page and should address:

• what is it that you want to know; and what are the themes, topics, and ideas that you feel are the most important part of your analysis?
• what primary sources do you intend to use (e.g. documents, photos, art objects, artifacts, interviews, stories, other direct voices)?
• what secondary sources do you intend to use (e.g. course readings, other texts)?
• do you plan to write a formal report or produce a creative piece (if the latter, describe it)?
• provide a simple time line showing how you plan to finish your research project by the December  2 deadline.

Presentation:

Imagine creative ways to present your project.  Although class presentations are voluntary, and there may not be time for all who wish to present, thinking about how to convey the significant conclusions of your research is a part of the project.

1  Deloria, Red Earth, White Lies, 12.

Below is another opportunity for an individual or group research project that you would begin on 6th week.

Procedure:

1) Read the information below or download the flyer.

2) If you can see yourself creating a research project that would align with the call from The Land Conversation, contact Jared Aldern - jaldern@sctdv.net - and discuss possibilities for a project with him.

3) Consult with me to check that the idea works for the purposes of the course assignment. You will then write up a short description that is due on November 2 as your part of the regular assignment listed on the syllabus. There must be a writing component that reports on the research that you perform.

4) Complete the project that you have descripbed in #3 above.

Research Assistant Opportunity

Traditional American Indian Land Management in San Diego County:  History, Ecology, Language, and Culture

Description and Significance of the Project

Biological, cultural, and linguistic diversities are declining locally and globally.  Funded by a Blasker Environmental Grant from the San Diego Foundation, this project sees these declines as related, and addresses them in an integrated manner.  The primary contributions of the program will be new community understandings of the effects of traditional land management practices – including the use of fire as a management tool – and the creation of oral history transcripts of research value.

 We interview American Indian elders and other community members about landscape and environmental change, indigenous animals and plants, their location, usage, and propagation techniques.   Library and archival research supplies additional ecological, historical and ethnographic data.  Using protocols developed by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service we use the data we collect to initiate field trials of indigenous land management practices – such as pruning and burning in order to improve the quality and quantity of culturally significant plants for continued American Indian use – on private, state, and tribal lands.  We will measure the effects of reintroducing ancient cultural practices on biodiversity.  Data produced by participants will track key species populations.

Description of Tasks

    Research assistants will work on all stages of the research project: 

• Collecting data through oral interviews, participating in plant harvesting and management practices, literature reviews, museum artifact analysis, and ecological field experiments.
• Transcribing and analyzing data in simple ways such as creating charts, tables and graphs with Microsoft Excel, or through more complex statistical methods.
• Preparing reports.

Some clerical tasks might also be among the job components.  In addition, research assistants who wish to become more involved, and who have the time and ability to do so, may help with the writing of grant applications and research papers.

Expectations

The basic expectations are that you be diligent and actively engaged in the project.  Specific hours are very flexible and can be arranged around your schedule.  Each research assistant will work an average of 8 hours per week on the project until its completion in June 2005.  Depending on funding, the project might sustain its activities beyond that date.

Eligibility and Application Process

Everyone is eligible; volunteers are welcome.  For high school, college, and graduate students, a training stipend or course credit in science, history, or social science may be available through UCSD, Palomar College, or your high school.

Please submit the following information (or any questions you might have) via e-mail to Executive Director Jared Aldern at jaldern@sctdv.net.

• Name and contact information (phone, address, and e-mail)

• Answers to the following questions:
• Why do you want to be a research assistant (that is, what will you gain from working for The Land Conversation)?
• What do you plan to study in school in the future, OR what type of job would you like to have?

• Lists with the following information
• Five things you don’t want to do as a research assistant
• Five things you would like to do as a research assistant
• History, science, writing, and computer courses you have taken, and grades
• 2-3 references, with contact information.

The Land Conversation
36264 Montezuma Valley Road
Ranchita, California  92066
Phone /FAX: 760-782-9036
Jared Aldern, Executive Director        
email: jaldern@sctdv.net

Here is some preliminary information for those students who are interested in the option to volunteer at TACKLE or LI'L CHAMPS in north county. There will be a writing component to this option which I will explain to the group of students that volunteer.

You may download the following documents:

back to syllabus