History Research Guide

Research Assignment for History 201:

You're being asked to read an assigned article and write a response, which needs to include a reference to an outside source, either a book or a scholarly article, not a general website. Make sure you understand your assignment. Review the assignment criteria carefully. Read the article thoroughly and notes points of interest. This will help guide your research.

Research Help for "Images of Cleopatra" Article/ "The Mandate of Heaven" Article:

1. Brainstorm Search Terms: What words and phrases could you use when searching? Think broadly, think narrowly.
    
2. Search for Materials: Search in both the Library Catalog (see "Books" tab) and the Article Databases (see "Articles" tab). Searching in both gives you more options.
   
   The best databases for your articles: Academic Search Elite / JSTOR
    
3. Use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT): as a way to exapand and limit your search. You can add these into your search phrase in a single search box or use the drop down menu when multiple search boxes are available. 
    
4. Understand Citation/Locate the Article: Once your search is complete, a list of results will appear. Sometimes articles will be available in full-text format and you can print them out from your computer.  When an item is not available in full-text, you need to locate it in the library or order through Interlibrary Loan (see the Articles tab for this information). The citation contains all the information you need for referencing in-text and in a bibliography.

Pliny the Elder:

1. How does the wealth of Egypt and the wealth of Rome compare?

2. What does the wager between Antony and Cleopatra reveal about their relationship and the relationship between Rome and Egypt at the time?

3. What religious undertones can be found in the story and what do they say about Roman religion?

The Mandate of Heaven

1. How does an emperor lose the Mandate of Heaven, and what are the consequences of this loss?

2. hat evidence can you find to support the conclusion that classical Chinese political philosophy perceived the state as an extended family?

3. What sort of harmony does the emperor maintain?