Assignment Description

Paper Prompts

Many objects, people, and ideas travelled along the Silk Routes, though silk has garnered the most scholarly attention. Write a historiographical paper to think about why scholarly attention has focused primarily on silk. Reviewing 3-5 sources, what is the state of art historical research on silk? What are scholars arguing? What sorts of disagreements do they have?

Historiographical papers provide an overview of recent research. These papers are very common in art history, English and history. This essay is good practice for reading a number of articles and pulling out the central arguments. This is not just summary though; your thesis will argue what the overarching arguments of your articles are.

You’ll want to start your search on jstor.org. Not every article you find will be helpful, so you may need to read more than 3-5 to find a good set.

Using a work of art as a starting point, consider why Emperor Wu initiated trade in Central Asia, starting what we today call the Silk Routes.

This is a broad question, and we’ve answered it generally in class. For your paper, dig deeper into one aspect of this. You could focus on the economic motivations, Chang Ch’ien’s diplomatic mission, the military causes, or anything of interest to you.

Your essay should reference at least one work of art as evidence- this could be a depiction of events, an object traded between China and another nation, an object that shows something relevant to your discussion of what prompted Han dynasty expansion westward. etc.

You can research on objects at:

https://www.metmuseum.org/

https://asianart.org/

https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Paper

Respond to ONE of the two prompts in a 4-5 (Times or Times New Roman, 12 point font) page original research paper. Please review the rubric for formatting guidelines and specifics on how the paper will be graded.

Prompts will be posted in the beginning of the semester

Cite your sources using footnotes (not parenthetical citations) in Chicago style. Information on how to format your footnotes may be found here: https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.html

Paper Revisions

After receiving your grade for your paper, you will have the opportunity to revise your paper based on my comments for a new grade. (If your grade on the revised paper is lower, you will receive the initial higher grade).

Assignment Grading Rubric

Grading Rubric PDF

Content and Analysis: 80 Points Total

Thesis: 20 points

For 20 points:

Paper has a clear and concise thesis that the states the overall argument to be proven
Thesis is based on visual elements as well as historical context

For 10 pints:

Paper has a general thesis that suggests what will be argued, but not in a clear and concise manner
Thesis is based on visual elements as well as historical context

For 5 points

Paper has a general thesis that suggests what will be argued, but not in a clear and concise manner
Thesis is based only on visual elements

For 0 points

No thesis

Argument: 60 points

For 60 points

Argument supports the thesis
Argument uses visual analysis and historical evidence and connects evidence back to the thesis
Argument is not repeat of the formal analysis paper, but integrates visual analysis and historical evidence into a cohesive argument
Argument uses relevant art historical terms to prove point
Argument has a logical flow to support thesis

For 45 points:

Argument supports the thesis
Argument uses visual analysis and historical context, but does not connect evidence back to the thesis
Argument is not a repeat of the formal analysis paper, but integrates visual analysis and historical evidence into a cohesive argument
Argument uses relevant art historical terms to prove point
Argument has a logical flow to support thesis

For 30 points:

Argument supports the thesis
Argument uses visual analysis and some historical context, but does not connect this evidence back to the thesis
Argument is a repeat of the formal analysis paper, with some historical evidence added
Argument uses relevant art historical terms to prove point

Argument has a logical flow to support thesis

For 10 points:

Argument does not relate to thesis
Argument is a repeat of the formal analysis paper, with little or no historical evidence used
Argument does not have a logical flow to support thesis

Formatting (20 points total)

For 20 points:

Paper is in full sentences
Paper has an introduction paragraph, body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph
Paragraphs have introductory and concluding sentences
Paper has been proofread
At least one scholarly source is used and cited properly with footnotes in the Chicago Style

For 10 points:

Paper is in full sentences
Paper is not separated into introduction paragraph, body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph
Paragraphs do not have introductory and concluding sentences
Paper has been proofread
At least one scholarly source is used and cited properly with footnotes in the Chicago Style

For 5 points:

Paper is not in full sentences
There are no paragraphs/paragraphs don’t have introductory and concluding sentences
Paper has not been proofread
No scholarly sources have been consulted

A note on footnotes: if a source is used and not cited, the paper will receive an automatic 0/100 as plagiarism is not tolerated in the course. Please be in touch with questions about how to cite your sources. It is extremely important that you at least try to cite your sources properly. This paper is an opportunity to learn how to use footnotes properly. This does not mean you can’t have small mistakes. However, blatantly not citing your source(s) is considered plagiarism.

ARTD 3015: The Development of the Silk Road: Paper

Assignment Description

Assignment Grading Rubric

Content and Analysis: 80 Points Total

Formatting (20 points total)