Okay, the time has come for the first paper.  Since this is the first paper, we will start fairly small by expanding on the source exercises you have all been doing in class.  Below you will see a hyper-link "Source: Matteo Ricci's Journal."  If you click here you will find the primary source that you need for this paper.  Once you've located the source (and I would recommend printing it off as well) you are ready to begin the work for the paper.  Please note, use only this source for the paper.  So, what must you do?  Here are major sections to the paper:

1. A one-half page description of the source's basic contents (25% of the mark for the paper).

2. A one-half page discussion of what the source can tell you about the Ming empire (25% of the mark for the paper).

3. A one-half page discussion of the questions you could answer using this source or a source like it (25% of the mark for the paper).

4. A one-half page discussion of the source's biases, e.g. whose viewpoint is represented and how does that skew what's presented, what's missing from the account, etc. (25% of the mark for the paper).

General Standards: First, you must type your paper using standard margins (1 inch all around), Times New Roman font and a 12-point type size. Next, you must properly document your use of other people's work in this essay. In plain terms, whenever you comment on or quote from the web-source linked below, I expect a proper footnote indicating what material in that source you are referencing (a 25% reduction on your paper will occur if you fail to document your work properly). For examples of how to footnote, click on the General Guidelines hypertext in the Formal Writings section of the web syllabus. You will also find hints on how to write well and on general guidelines as to what I look for in written work.  Finally, your essay must be two full pages in length, double-spaced.  

Source: Matteo Ricci's Journal

Recommended Format for the main entry (i.e. first) footnote for the Ricci source:

Paul Halsall, ed., "Chinese Cultural Studies: Matteo Ricci: On Chinese Government, Selections from his Journals, 1583-1610," from Syllabus for Core 9: Chinese Culture, June 2, 1999, <http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/ric-jour.html> (Insert the date you accessed the source for your paper here).