Project introduction – cultural diversity and the color line

Project Overview

In this project, you will take a novel by a minority writer you are interested in and explore one or two issues or perhaps a few narrators/characters to discuss from the novel. You are encouraged to choose a novel or author that is new to you. It is important that that you select and begin reading your novel now to complete your project on time.

If you are having trouble deciding on a novel here is a list of suggestions:

• Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson
• Home by Toni Morrison
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
• The Absolute Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• The Soloist by Steve Lopez
• The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Dust Tracks on a Road: An Autobiography by Zora Neale Hurston
• Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes
• House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday
• I Love a Broad Margin to My Life by Maxine Hong Kingston
• A Wedding in Haiti by Julia Alvarez 
• Life on the Mississippi or Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain.
• Homegirls and Handgrenades by Sonya Sanchez
• House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday
• I Love a Broad Margin to My Life by Maxine Hong Kingston
• The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
• The Chicken Chronicles: A Memoir by Alice Walker

You can find access to electronic novels through theOnline Library, which you can access through the Resources tab.

Due Date

Your final project is due in Module 6. There will be individual assignments along the way. The assignment and the module they are due are noted in bold on the time line below.

Time Line

Requirements

1. Write a research paper that is a minimum of 5-6 pages in length and submit it in proper APA format, including cover page, in-text citations, and reference page. For APA guidelines, go to College’s Online Library, which you can access through the Resources tab.
2. Incorporate a strong thesis that is placed as the last sentence in the introductory paragraph.
3. Include quotes from the primary as well as a few secondary sources. (Primary sources are by the author, while secondary sources are critical books and essays about the author.)
4. Assertion: Be sure to present a strong argument that ends with a solid conclusion. This means that you will repeat your thesis and add your final thoughts or end with a strong quote.
5. Utilize the excellent resources available in the college’s Online Library, which is accessible through the Resources tab. For academic research, it’s best to avoid Internet sites as well as Wikipedia. Any questions on research, consult your Instructor or the online librarian. See also Notes on Quality Research in Course Materials.