Company Towns in Southern Colorado Unit Project

Research the activities in a company town. Select ONE topic below on which to focus during your research:

Answer the question, "Why were the mining towns built?"
Describe a company town through the eyes of the owners.
Describe a company town through the eyes of a miner.
Describe a company town through the eyes of any other person (ie. a school teacher, a doctor, a store employee, or a child). Make sure to get your topic approved by the teacher.

Component 1- The Background Research

(Notes due___________) Your notes will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Notes are written in a clean, easy to read, and organized manner.
An organized plan for writing accompanies the notes. (This can be an outline.)
Primary sources make up at least 50% of sources used for research.
The Cokedale Colorado web site is used as one of the main sources of material. The web address is http://www.acu.edu/academics/history/cokedale
Sources are clearly documented.
The material turned in is sufficient to address the topic chosen.

Component 2- The Research Paper

(Assigned as in-class essay at the end of the week). Write a paper based on your background research. Your paper will be graded based on the following criteria;

Mechanics

Writing is clear with accurate spelling and grammar.
Paper was prepared according to the guidelines given by the teacher or the ___________ style guide.
Number of pages is sufficient to explore the topic thoroughly, within a minimum of two pages.

Component 3- The Test Questions

(Due_________)Create at least three test questions based on the material in your research. These questions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Critical thinking is required to answer the questions.
Questions and answers are accurate and complete.
Questions and answers are relevant to the topic of the research, and reflect the important themes or points.

Grading System

The criteria listed above will be scored on this scale (Note: a total grade of 100 is possible on this project).

Component 1 = 20%
Component 2 = 50%
Component 3 = 20%
Creativity = 10%

For corrections and contributions regarding this World Wide Web page, contact Dr. Vernon L. Williams
ACU Station Box 28130, Department of History, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas 79699.
E-mail vwilliams@nicanor.acu.edu
Fax (915) 674-2369
Telephone (915) 674-2150.