Origins of Africulture

This is an archaeology course. You will have to write a research paper 8-12 pages as the final work, but for now i want you to focus on the outline. I need an outline done by February 27th 2014. The outline is Part A on the instruction sheet. The final paper is Part B. I will divide this assignment to two parts; Before anything download the instruction sheet to find out what needs to be done. Please dont make the outline too complex. it just needs to be very concise and specific. dont be to vague and general. Part A) 2 page having basic thesis statement , Which basically is the outline paper of the final work, Is due February 27th. (further instructions are uploaded on PDF FILE please check that) Please dont be confusing, this is just a 1-2 page to show that you start thinking about the paper; Have a basic thesis statement of what is the question you wish to address in this paper. Then at least 3 section headings or subheadings ideas and what you will think you will be using to sure up your idea. 1-2 pages MAX, nothing to complex. Don’t leave it to last minute. Thoughts of the books you will be consulting, It’s an exercise. Part B) 8-12 pages, Which is the Final Paper, Due March 28th. (notice the gap, its for coming back at you and telling you the comments for part A , so you can improve the final paper) ( Dont worry about this part) I only uploaded this part because if you check the PDF i upload, it it gives some suggested topics, Maybe you can use those topics to even complete part A so then you can complete your part B after) After you complete PART A, I will hand it in and receive a mark for it, then I will come back to you with grade and comment. Based on those comments , I will make the final order of 8-10 page final paper, so you can complete it. The paper style: FOR PART A and PART B The paper needs to be [SAA] style. I will also upload a guideline of what is SAA and how it needs to be done. please Follow the instructions for the Outline well. then I will upload the final report instruction for you in different order.

PART A
The Outline instruction DUE February 28    (SAA STYLE)
The Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
Research Paper Outline Instructions Start thinking about paper; Have a basic thesis statement of what is the question you wish to address in this paper. Then at least 3 sections headings or subheadings ideas and what you will think you will be using to sure up your idea. 1-2 pages MAX, nothing to complex. Don't leave it to last minute. Thoughts of the books you will be consulting, It's an exercise.
Due: February 28, 2014    Evaluation: 5% of final grade
Your outline should include the following items (in this order):
•    The title of your paper and your topic
•    Your research question
•    The structure of your paper (list the different points you intend to cover in your paper in the order you will be presenting them)
•    A bibliography of relevant academic sources (minimum of 3 academic sources) Remember:
•    Unlike a thesis (which chooses and supports one side of an issue), a research question is like a third party trying to decide which side is better given all the evidence
•    Make sure your research question is not too broad
•    do brainstorming that breaks your topic up into subunits
•    Keep asking yourself questions (who? what? where? how? why?)
•    Always keep asking 'so what?' 'who cares?'
•    DO NOT USE WEBSITES AS A SOURCE. Wikipedia is not a valid source.
•    The Internet is a place to start, then follow the references. Evaluate your own research question1
Ask the following 8 questions to evaluate the quality of your research question and the ease with which you should be able to answer it:
1.    Does the question deal with a topic or issue that interests me enough to spark my own thoughts and opinions?
2.    Is the question easily and fully researchable?
3.    What type of information do I need to answer the research question?
4.    Is the scope of this information reasonable?
5.    Given the type and scope of the information that I need, is my question too broad, too narrow, or okay?
6.    What sources will have the type of information that I need to answer the research question (journals, books, internet resources, government documents, people)?
7.    Can I access these sources?
8.    Given my answers to the above questions, do I have a good quality research question that I actually will be able to answer by doing research?
Evaluation Criteria:

•    By submitting an outline, you will automatically receive 5% toward your final grade. Assignment Specifications:
•    12 pt Times New Roman font; 2.54 cm (1 inch) margins
•    Length: 1 page
•    SAA Style Referencing System must be used. It is on the website. After doing this and uploading the file for me.
I will make another order for the final piece. But I will get some feedbacks of the outline from the professor/teacher. I will make you to be aware of it and then I will request this final research paper:
part b
Which is:
Research Paper Guidelines
Due: March 28, 2014    Length: 8 to 12 pages Evaluation: 15% of final grade
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that you:
-    have an understanding of the history and archaeology of the ancient Near East.
-    generate original ideas about the material.
-    make intelligent observations to support those ideas.
-    communicate in a clear and logical manner.
-    are able to think critically about the material.
Prepare a 8 to 12-page research essay on the topic that you proposed in the outline you have already submitted. Your research essay should answer an original research question that you have developed while researching this topic.
This research essay must:
-    introduce an original research question.
-    present the corpus of material that has been examined in order to answer the research question.
-    present the analysis and evaluation of this corpus of material that is required to answer your research question.
-    based on your analysis, provide an answer to your research question. Evaluation Criteria:
-    Quality of the research question (is it original? does it fit the scope of this paper?)
-    Quality and relevance of the argument
-    Organization and development of the argument (does your paper present material in a logical fashion?)
-    Technical proficiency with language (quality of expression, spelling, grammar, punctuation)
-    Adherence to assignment specifications

Assignment Specifications:
-    Title page (with title of essay, name, student number, course code, and date) this does not count toward the required number of pages
-    Double spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font; 2.54 cm (1 inch) margins
-    Length: 8-10 pages
-    SAA Style Referencing System must be used
-    All images should appear at the end of your text, not embedded within the text they do not count toward the required number of pages
Suggested Topics
-    Human Development/ Origins
-    Introduction of settled life
-    Burial Practices
-    Architectural Development (Natufian-Neolithic transition, etc.)
-    Domestication of plant and animal species
-    Origins of agriculture
-    Introduction of pottery technology
-    Secondary products revolution
-    Development of Urbanism (settlement patterns etc.)
-    Rise of Complex Social Systems
-    The development of Early Trade
-    Introduction of Writing/ Recording Systems
-    Kingship and state formation
-    Legal systems & Royal Propaganda
-    Urban-rural dichotomies
-    Kingship and secular power
-    Internationalism and foreign contacts
-    Imperialism
-    Imperial administration
-    Iran as the great inter-mediator
-    Anatolia as the great bridge
-    Economics; market forces
-    Metallurgy and metals as mediums of exchange
-    Collapse of civilization
-    Development of ethnic nationalism
-    East meets west: early contacts
-    Changes and developments in the temple
If find another topic of interest that you wish to deal with, clear it with me first.

Research Paper Guidelines
Helpful Hints:
-    This assignment requires you to formulate an original and insightful research question that can be properly answered within the scope of this paper.
-    Your research question cannot be one that has already been addressed by the scholarly community, it must present a new analysis and evaluation of the material.
-    This is not an information dump. You will be penalized if your paper merely 'examines' or 'reviews' a body of material. You must ask questions of the data you've collected.
-    Do not devote too much of your paper to background information in order to increase the page count. Make sure that all of the information you present is relevant to your research question.
-    Headings often help lend clarity and structure to a research paper.
In addition to the "Writing Dos and Don'ts" document that is posted on the course
website, here are a few more tips you might find useful in developing the different
sections of your paper.
In the introduction you will need to do the following things:
-    introduce the reader to your topic
-    present relevant background or contextual material
-    define terms or concepts if necessary (especially if, for the purpose of your paper, you have altered the traditional definition of a term)
-    explain the focus of the paper and your specific research question
-    reveal the structure of your paper
Use your outline as a guide for the body of your paper
-    Build your essay around points you want to make (i.e., don't let your sources organize your paper)
-    Integrate your sources into your discussion
-    Summarize, analyze, explain, and evaluate published work rather than merely reporting it
If the argument or point of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize the
argument in your conclusion.
-    If prior to your conclusion you have not yet explained the significance of your findings, use the end of your paper to add your points up and to explain their significance.
-    Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction.
-    Perhaps suggest what about this topic needs further research
All papers are due at the beginning of class on March 28, 2014.
The penalty for late submissions is 2% per day.