Research Paper

This will be a semester-long project focusing on an opera not covered in the syllabus (by any composer, including those that are discussed in the course).  The research will progress through the following stages, each of which will be graded independently:

1) Development of a general bibliography about the work, including essential materials on the composer, the environment in which he or she worked, the theater or theaters for which the opera was written or where it was first performed, aspects of performance practice, and the librettist.  If the work is derived from a literary source (such as a Shakespeare play) you will be expected to also include relevant literary and critical materials.  The bibliography will include scholarly books and articles, and should be organized according to categories (i.e. analytical works, literary sources, performance practice, etc.).  The total number of items, of course, cannot be predicted and will reflect the opera you have chosen--do not pick at random and then discover too late that there is NOTHING written about your opera!  This will not be an excuse for a skimpy bibliography.  At the same time, avoid choosing a work with a mile-long bibliography--you will not be able to deal with it in the short time available.  This can be turned in via e-mail.

2) On the basis of the bibliographic work done in Step 1, you will then establish a thesis for the research essay, focusing on an important aspect of the opera--anything that emerges from the literature or from your own study of the work and its sources.  This will result in a brief project description (500 words maximum).  This can be turned in via e-mail.

3) Development of an outline and rough draft.  This Step will be graded both as a process (that is, how you go about developing the research and writing) and as a product (the draft itself).  I would like for you to see me (or contact me via e-mail) at least once or twice during this process, and to schedule a meeting with me to go over the draft itself.  This can be turned in via e-mail.

4) Final essay, following proper academic conventions (I like the Chicago Manual of Style, but you may choose an alternative, provided that you follow it consistently--please check with me before you do so, however).  Please use spellchech and edit the final draft carefully, as I will keep a tally of misspellings, typos, poor grammar, etc. and will factor it into the final grade.  This CANNOT be turned in via e-mail.