When I began my MA classes I knew I had to come up with a Master's Thesis paper. The paper would have to be a detailed piece of work which "expanded the depth of knowledge of the academic community." As I quipped to a former Under graduate friend who is also studying for her MA in History, "The only thing so far that I have expanded is my waistline!"
Anyway. All this sounded impressive and I first thought to look at the origins of the American Revolution as a dispute over differing views of the English Constitution. Having contacted the school a a professor informed me that such a paper had been published in only April 2011 and was far better than a graduate student could ever produce. So with that idea shot down there was not much to interest me I thought.
But recently I began researching a class paper for US History from the Reconstruction until the End of the Cold War. My class paper is about the role of US Route 66 in the Depression migrations and World War II.
Going over some of the resources, which includes John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, I learned of the Farm Securities Administration and labor camps created in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Then ideas started to come together. Living in the San Joaquin Valley I live right on top of this history, sources are relatively close and I think that I can pick out something new on the subject.
I then had to approach the head of the school again with my idea and he passed me on to a professor who would be my advisor if the paper looks like working out.
At this stage I am just doing basic research. Finding out possible sources.
I will consider looking to local library archives in the county libraries.
State legislature archives.
Newspapers.
Books as secondary sources.
There may also be Federal resources too which I can turn too.
I am also finding by mining book bibliographies other books on the subject.
There are also resources available such as local history groups and also academic collections, I have found the Library at Berkely has a collection of documents from members of Federal sponsored reporting groups and also Oakland Public Library shares part of that same collection.
This project does not have to be completed until November 2013. But already I am building up some data to help on this great journey of detection.
It also shows if your first idea does not work out, stick to your desire to gain the prize of an MA. You just need to shift your gaze a little and a new idea will come to you.
Anyway. All this sounded impressive and I first thought to look at the origins of the American Revolution as a dispute over differing views of the English Constitution. Having contacted the school a a professor informed me that such a paper had been published in only April 2011 and was far better than a graduate student could ever produce. So with that idea shot down there was not much to interest me I thought.
But recently I began researching a class paper for US History from the Reconstruction until the End of the Cold War. My class paper is about the role of US Route 66 in the Depression migrations and World War II.
Going over some of the resources, which includes John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, I learned of the Farm Securities Administration and labor camps created in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Then ideas started to come together. Living in the San Joaquin Valley I live right on top of this history, sources are relatively close and I think that I can pick out something new on the subject.
I then had to approach the head of the school again with my idea and he passed me on to a professor who would be my advisor if the paper looks like working out.
At this stage I am just doing basic research. Finding out possible sources.
I will consider looking to local library archives in the county libraries.
State legislature archives.
Newspapers.
Books as secondary sources.
There may also be Federal resources too which I can turn too.
I am also finding by mining book bibliographies other books on the subject.
There are also resources available such as local history groups and also academic collections, I have found the Library at Berkely has a collection of documents from members of Federal sponsored reporting groups and also Oakland Public Library shares part of that same collection.
This project does not have to be completed until November 2013. But already I am building up some data to help on this great journey of detection.
It also shows if your first idea does not work out, stick to your desire to gain the prize of an MA. You just need to shift your gaze a little and a new idea will come to you.
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