For this assignment you will write a short paper of 3 pages. The page count does not include title page, images, or bibliography. Your paper can be about any topic that falls within the scope of this course, i.e. African American history after 1877. I suggest looking through the forum questions and your text book for ideas. If you choose a topic that is outside of the scope of the course, you will not receive credit, so choose carefully and please ask should you have a question. Please read the guidance below as well. Once I have graded and returned your paper, you will have follow-up questions these should be promptly answered in the written assignment #1 forum. Prof. Noble

A Short Paper Assignment allows you, early in the course, to demonstrate your research skills to your instructor and to receive feedback that will benefit you when you write your research paper. With this assignment, you will learn how to do proper and adequate research and write a short paper and prepare you for writing the research paper. This short paper is at least three double-spaced pages of text and you must consult a minimum of two academically credible sources. Bibliographies and citations will be in the Chicago Manual of Style format. The short paper needs to be turned in through the assignment section for grading. If you use any of the information from your sources word-for-word, you must cite the source by using endnotes or footnotes or some other citation style. If you read the information and write it in your own words and it is not common knowledge, then you must cite the source because you are paraphrasing someone's information. The short paper must include a cover page with your name, course number and course title, instructor's name, and date. You must also include a bibliography at the end of your paper.