The History Extended Essay

1. The History Extended Essay • Utica Academy for International Studies

2. Overview of the History EE • In-depth research in an area of history of genuine interest • Creation of a coherent and structured essay that address a particular issue expressed as a research question.

3. History EE History EE benefits • Wide-ranging knowledge of a particular topic (extensive bibliography) • Familiarity of Chicago-style, which aids university-level history study History EE challenges • Requires stamina and in the area of research. Students lacking great enthusiasm of their selected topic will not do well. • Strong evaluative and analytical skills required!

4. Choice of Topic The topic MUST: • focus on the human past • lend itself to systematic investigation in line with the assessment criteria • have scholars weighing in on both/multiple sides of the issue • focus on events earlier than the last 10 years

5. The Topic • Primary and Secondary sources must be used. Interviews and other unique sources are also recommended. • provide an opportunity for critical analysis (your voice) of source material and not depend on summarizing general secondary sources-avoiding merely the narrative or descriptive • be worthy of study (no “pop” history/conspiracies)

6. The topic MUST: • be acceptable to the supervisor • Have a clear focus (Region, Time Period, Qualifiers) • allow students to demonstrate detailed and specific historical knowledge, understanding and critical analysis through the lens of historiography • Topics outside of history (music and sport) must be from a historical perspective – NO Sociology Papers!

7. Criteria of the History EE • Criterion A: Research Question (2) • Criterion B: Introduction (2) • Criterion C: Investigation (4) • Criterion D: Knowledge and understanding of the topic studied / Academic Context (4) • Criterion E: Reasoned argument (4)

8. Criteria of the History EE • Criterion F: Application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject (4) • Criterion G: Use of language appropriate to the subject (4) • Criterion H: Conclusion (2) • Criterion I: Formal Presentation (4) • Criterion J: Abstract (2) • Criterion K: Holistic Judgement 4)

9. HOA Recommended Topics

10. 20th C. Recommended Topics

11. Appropriate topics receiving A’s last year (9)

12. Treatment of the Topic • Title: Varying interpretations of the Salem witch trials • Research Question: Which theory best explains the Salem witch trials? • Approach: Background reading is undertaken to enable identification and explanation of two dominant theories as to why the trials took place. The merits of the two theories are appraised using data obtained about the accused and accusers.

13. Title: Changing views of the Cuban Missile Crisis • Research Question: How and why have explanations of the Cuban missile crisis changed since 1962? • Approach: General reading is undertaken for a historical introduction and note taking. The views of a number of historians are summarized in order to understand categorize and evaluate selected explanations of the 1962 missile crisis in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

14. History EE Due Dates • After 1st Supervisor Meeting (Jan. 2-17) Read Chapters 1-4 in Marius & 2 “A” papers paying special attention to the historiography • After 2nd Supervisor Meeting (Feb. 3-14) Produce working bibliography, citation notecards & “tracking historiography” chart RESEARCH TRIP to OAKLAND UNIVERSITY – Thursday, March 13th • After 3rd Supervisor Meeting (April 14th-25th) Complete the following: • Introduction Paragraph #1 w/ Research Question • Introduction Paragraph #2 demonstrating historiography • Topic sentences for body paragraphs w/ bullet points (template will be given) • After 4th Supervisor Meeting (June 2nd-6th) Complete rough draft and turn in 2 copies ON the first day of school in September