What is the Major Paper?
The major paper seminar is the capstone course for history majors. After spending many semesters reading other scholars' ideas and interpretations, you now have the opportunity to research, analyze, and write your own original work of scholarship. It can be one of the most rewarding intellectual experiences of your time at the University of Minnesota.
The major paper consists of a 20-30 page paper based on original research in primary sources (sources like letters, diaries, newspaper articles, interviews, government documents, etc., rather than scholarly articles or books).
It can be on a topic of your choosing, but you are highly encouraged to discuss your paper topic with the instructor before the course begins. Refining the topic – and even changing it – often occurs during the course of the semester, but it is important to have some ideas before hand.
The final paper will be graded according to the following criteria: sound research, adequate content and coverage of the subject, strong critical analysis of sources, and writing style.
