ArtH 3281 Women & Art, fall 2016

Research Paper Guidelines

Preliminary bibliography & research status report due: Thurs. Oct. 27

For the status report please provide me with an informal narrative describing what your specific topic focus will be (see below), what questions you are hoping to investigate & answer, how your research is progressing, and any problems you might be encountering (approx. length ½ to 1 page). Below that, provide a bibliographic listing of at least 4 sources that you think you will make use of for your paper, in appropriate citation format (MLA or Chicago Style are preferred for art history). This will give me a chance to see how your research is progressing (before it’s too late!), and to give you feedback on citing sources.

Final paper: MUST be turned in by Thurs. Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m. (at the latest; I am happy to accept them earlier), hardcopy, to my office or to the Humanities Division office.

What it is:

This 8- to 10-page paper will involve inquiry and interpretation concerning some aspect of a woman artist’s work. For example, it may be a particular theme that you notice within her oeuvre (body of work) and want to explore further (such as Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun’s portraits of men). Or, the paper could concentrate on one particularly complex work of art (such as Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party) and examine critical reactions to it.

Please also include some relevant biographical background (such as artist’s training, any obstacles that she had to overcome, her thoughts on her work), but don’t neglect the visual analysis aspect, and do not simply rehash published information. A strong paper will have a compelling theme, will stay focused on it, will specifically describe and analyze at least one relevant work of art (in your own words), will incorporate and appropriately cite research, and will voice your own reactions to or interpretations of some aspect of the artist’s work.

FORMAT:

Citing Sources of info: this must be done when you incorporate ideas, interpretations, or information that are not “common knowledge,” EVEN if you are paraphrasing rather than quoting directly. I’d recommend using either Chicago or MLA style guide, and either footnotes or endnotes. Please consult with me if you have any questions about doing this. If sources have been inadequately cited on the final paper, there will be a 10pt deduction; if there is any deliberate plagiarism, it will be an automatic “F.”

Bibliography: this should include at least 5 scholarly sources (books, articles, essays, museum websites) OR primary sources (autobiographical writings, interviews, artist’s own website) you have directly utilized for your paper. No more than two websites can count towards the minimum of five sources. Please be sure to format this section completely and correctly.

Illustrations: at the end of your written text (but before the bibliography), include an illustration of any work of art you spend some time describing/analyzing. Black & white images are fine so long as they are fairly clear. Include a Figure number, caption (artist/title/date/location) and source (author/title/date/pg.; or website address) underneath each image, and use a figure number in your paper to refer back to this illustration. Please note that titles of works of art are italicized (no quotation marks!).

Other Formatting Notes: please use a standard size font, 1” margins, and double-space. Please insert page numbers. Be sure your name is on at least the first page (no separate title page is necessary), along with an interesting paper title.

Evaluation: Points will be deducted for any of the above information that is found to be lacking; for excessive spelling/grammatical errors; and for lack of clarity and logic in writing. Please be sure to proofread your paper (or have someone else proofread) in advance to catch any problems beforehand!

Although not required, you are strongly encouraged to come and meet with me about any aspect of your research or writing you may feel uncertain about, or if you would like some feedback prior to turning in the final paper.

*Paper is worth 15 % of the final grade.