According to Webster's 7th New Collegiate Dictionary, a seminar is "a group of advanced students studying under a professor with each doing original research and all exchanging results through reports and discussions."

The research paper assignment is intended to support this activity. It is to be research on some aspect of American theatre since 1990. Topics with background before 1990 are acceptable, provided they are currently active issues and there is discussion of the contemporary circumstances.

Paper:

A research paper on a topic of current interest in theatre art. The paper is expected to take a perspective on its topic, based on evidence found through the research. The paper is to be written in formal style, and a minimum of ten pages in length. There must be a minimum of four non-textbook references, including at least two non-internet references. The style may be either MLA or APA, but consistently one or the other.

The following structure is suggested:

• Introduction to the issue.
• Statement of the problem.
• Statement of purpose of the paper.
• -Statement of position and outline of argument (hypothesis).
• Definitions and qualifications.
• Review of available sources.
• First argument
• -Evidence and discussion
• Second argument
• -Evidence and discussion
  ==-
  ==-
• Concluding statement of position
• -Address opposing views not addressed above.
• Summary

Proposal

You are required to submit a proposal for your paper. Many environments require that proposals be submitted to ensure that submissions are on target and appropriate. It is important that the specific requirements of the proposal be carefully attended, and that each requirement is answered clearly and directly. Typically, proposals require that some preliminary work be done on the actual product. Following is the format you will follow in your proposal, with particular attention to:

• Use subheads for each criterion required.
• Respond to each criterion completely.
• Be clear and direct in your writing.

Abstract: A brief description – not to exceed 100 words – of the problem to be researched, and the approach or methodology to be used.

Detailed Description: Describe the problem to be addressed and why it is important.
The following organization is based on the traditional research proposal structure. Each component is discussed in separate paragraphs, regardless of the brevity of the discussion. You might use lower subheads for these elements:

• Begin with the introduction to the study. Describe the area of concern and provide some background.
• This discussion leads to identification of a problem for study. The problem statement is a specific, directly stated synopsis of the primary target of the study.
• Discuss a rationale and address significance. This addresses why the problem should be investigated.
• Outline the goals and objectives of the study. A traditional research project would communicate these through a statement of hypothesis and research questions. Clarity is essential and direct statements are greatly appreciated.

Methodology / Approach: Describe and justify the methodology and approach of the project. Discuss the research methods. In most cases for this project it will be a critical or historical methodology.

Adequacy of Resources: Discuss availability of resources to complete the project. Address time and commitments as essential resource. This section includes a preliminary bibliography and discusses the availability of any other resources you will need.

Project Activities and Timeline: Describe the activities and time line. The ideal proposal will outline in tabular form the time frame for each significant step in the project.

Schedule:

• Sept. 19:    Paper assigned
• Oct. 17:    Paper proposal due
• Nov. 9:    Completed paper due. Two copies
• Nov. 9,14:    Presentations on research findings
• Nov. 16:    Critiqued paper returned
• Dec. 12:    Final paper submission