The Digital Past

Throughout this course we will work with several digital tools. In lieu of a final exam, you will use the digital skills that you have learned in class to create and publish an original digital history project that will be due at the end of the semester. The project should be on some aspect of Boston’s history between 1890 and 1925. The project should demonstrate your ability to use digital tools to help you:

• analyze evidence
• form an argument and engage with other scholars
• effectively communicate your findings.

There are 2 components to the final project:

Project Proposal (5%):

Your project proposal has 3 components:

• Your research question: What are studying? What are you trying to understand?
• A description of the main primary sources you plan to use. Be sure to include a brief description of each source or collection of sources. Properly cite all sources and include links to the website or archive where these sources are located.
• The best secondary sources available. Describe the top 3 and their relevance to your topic. Include a brief description of their arguments and their importance to your project. List any additional sources. Be sure you include a full bibliographical citation for each source.

Your project proposal is due by email (aregan2@gmu.edu) June 30th by 11:59pm.

Final Project (40%):

Your final project can be either an Omeka exhibit, a Wordpress site, or Scalar project. Each project must contain:

• A written narrative. (Approximately 1000-1500 words or 4-6 double spaced pages.) Your narrative should include an introduction to your topic (including the argument you are making and a well constructed thesis statement) and the supporting context and evidence you will use to support that argument.
• At least two historical images that you have the legal right to republish
• At least two visual elements – a map, graph, chart, or other visualization that support your argument.
• Links to your online evidence (primary sources) or to the scholarship you are using to support your argument and provide historical context.
• A bibliography of all sources. This should be formatted in Chicago Style.
• Navigation and menus that allow your user to navigate through your site or exhibit.
• Design elements (theme, color, font) that are aesthetically appropriate for your project.
• An “About” page that includes your name and a small bio.
• A “Reflection” page that offers a reflection on the project process itself. It should include your rationale for organizing the site the way you did, any challenges you faced in your research and how you overcame them, and anything else you think I should know to grade your project.

These are minimum requirements. Beyond these it is up to you to decide what else your site needs to contain to support your argument.

There is no final exam. However, you will need to email me (aregan2@gmu.edu) by July 29th by 5pm to let me know your project is complete. Late projects will lose points regardless of the quality of work.