Villanueva
English 1C
Research-based Essay #1:
Tracing History: The Doctrine of Discovery, Colonialism, and Current Scholarly Identities
Topic Background
We began the semester thinking about and discussing research, research paradigms, and the relevance
of ontological and epistemological foundations with regard to academic scholarship. The purpose of this
assignment is to broaden the scope of those initial days of class discussion in order to allow you the
opportunity to apply what you have learned about colonial practices—as related to the Doctrine of
Discovery and Manifest Destiny, respectively. As has been revealed, both of these have resulted in
unequitable policies at a global scale—for those deemed as the Other—due to categorizations of
difference, which have been institutionalized by overt and covert mechanisms of power.
Required Course Readings
Choose at least two videos viewed in class AND at least one of the assigned readings.
From the three required sources you choose, you must include quotations and detailed analysis from
each.
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The Doctrine of Discovery: True Story of the Colonization of the United States of America (video)
From Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Website—Professor Robert Miller on the History of
the Doctrine of Discovery (video)
Pōkā Laenui, Colonization and Decolonization (video)
From Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Professor Steve Newcomb on Religious & Legal
Repercussions of the Doctrine of Discovery (video)
Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, “From Intergenerational Trauma to Intergenerational
Healing” (PDF reading)
Dr. Eden Torres. “Anguished Past, Troubled Present: Savagery & Promise of Traumatic Memory”
(PDF reading)
In addition, you will be required to locate five additional sources on your own, including:
1
primary source (e.g. treaty, court case, etc.); 1 periodical article; 1 reference book or online source; 1
peer-reviewed scholarly article; 1 image or photograph.
8 SOURCES IN TOTAL—THOUGHTFULLY INTEGRATED INTO
YOUR PAPER ARE REQUIRED.
Writing Task:
Section OneYour writing task should begin with your own reflexivity as an emerging scholar and researcher. Since
the class is centered on an understanding of colonial history, you will be required to devote the first
major section of your paper to an exploration of the ways that colonization has affected your own
family’s history.
You have several options with regard to HOW you choose to discuss the ways that colonization has
affected your own family’s history. You may trace back your family’s history over several generations or
you may begin with a more current discussion. This is entirely up to you. If you decide that you do not
have much to explore regarding this aspect, then you can focus more exclusively on the colonial history
of the United States as it RELATES to you NOW. The point is to trace the continued impact and relevance
of colonial history, ideologies, and/or practices IN SOME WAY.
Section TwoYou may come to realize that your ontology and epistemology are rooted (in some way) to colonial
ideology and frameworks. Therefore, the second section of the paper, you will need to answer the
following questions: 1.) What is real? 2.) How do I know what is real? As you answer these questions,
focus intently and deeply on the ORIGINS of beliefs, values, attitudes, and practices that you enact on a
daily basis.
Section ThreeThe final section of your paper should provide a synthesis of all that you have viewed, read, studied,
researched, and thought about over the past several weeks, with a specific emphasis on how you
currently (at this moment) see yourself as a blossoming scholar, researcher, and professional -in-themaking. Reflect upon and analyze your thoughts concerning your intended major, why you have chosen
it, and what you hope to do with it. This discussion should be framed in a way that relates back to the
course content thus far.
Ultimately, this entire writing task should also stem from close engagement and solid understanding of
the assigned texts, which you will both synthesize and analyze. Last, but certainly not least, this task calls
for you to begin the process of serious, committed research insofar that you will need to locate five
additional sources on your own(listed above).
Student Learning Outcomes:
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Apply critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that enable original discussion about the
assigned topic(s).
Demonstrate comprehension of at least six of the following terms/concepts as discussed in
class: Colonization, Imperialism, Majoritarian Stories, Dominant Discourse, Hegemony,
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Representation of Difference, Schools as Complicit in Colonial Discourse, Research, Ontology,
Epistemology, the Doctrine of Discovery, Manifest Destiny, History, Historical Trauma.
Apply the selected concepts to required course readings in a way that demonstrates the ability
to both synthesize and analyze primary and secondary texts.
Illustrate the ability to locate, research, and comprehend five additional sources on your own,
including: 1 primary source (e.g. treaty, court case, etc.); 1 periodical article; 1 reference book or
online source; 1 peer-reviewed scholarly article; 1 image or photograph.
Recognize the difference between summary and analysis—and understand how and when to
incorporate each into a college-level composition.
Illustrate the ability to fully develop ideas through use of textual evidence that follows the
“sandwich method” of quoting discussed in class.
Demonstrate logical organizational patterns that include transitions.
Apply MLA format and include a Works Cited page.
Compose a college-level, academic essay that is organized, provides coherent paragraphs, and
demonstrates a strong command of vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Guidelines:
Please begin ASAP. I ask that you focus on being diligent and disciplined as you re-read, take notes,
research, and plan your composition. Writing a research-based essay is a lengthy process that requires
much patience and dedication. I encourage you to work to your greatest potential and that you think of
creative ways to make this assignment meaningful to your growth as a scholar and person. Please ask
for further guidance and support if you feel you need it. Don’t forget to review proper MLA format for
your citations.
Format:
At this level, detailed and thorough analyses of the course material is expected. Additionally, the
composition will be graded on the clarity of your points, the depth of your textual analysis—following
MLA format, and your ability to write grammatically correct sentences.
Your essay should be 8-10 pages in length. Please type your essay using size 12 font, preferably Times
New Roman. You should also double-space your paper consistently throughout, use black ink, on one
side of the page, with 1” margins on all sides. Include a Works Cited page for this paper.
Due Date: (in person at the start of class)—ABSOLUTELY NO EMAILED PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED
*Quotations Check-In (2/6)—for 2 videos + 1 class reading; *5 Sources Check-In (2/13);
*FINAL PAPER DUE (2/18)—at the START of class.