English 101 Research Guide
Michael Ritterbrown
Winter 07
The Shipping News
- How to Find Books
- Subject Headings & Keywords
- Circulating Books
- Reference Books
- Databases
- Other Research Guides | Class Assignment
How to Find Books
When searching for books in the GCC Library, use the online catalog. This database tells you what resources the Library owns, where they're located, if they're available, etc. Most of our books are published in print, although we do also have a growing electronic book collection. When you're looking at a book's record, look under "location" to see if the book is print or electronic, or if perhaps it is a web site, rather than a book.
If you're searching by subject, but don't find anything, try doing a keyword search. This is a broader search, which could pick up something helpful. If you find a title that looks promising, take a look at the full record and review the subject headings listed. These terms can be used when doing a subject search. Unlike Internet search engines or databases, the online catalog uses Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) to describe a book's contents, so if you're not using the correct term, you may come up with no hits—even if the library owns books on your topics. If in doubt, ask a reference librarian.
Below are some Library of Congress Subject Headings related to your topics:
Ethics in Journalism
- Freedom of the press
- Government and the press
- Journalistic ethics
- Journalism- objectivity
- Journalism - political aspects
- Mass media - moral and ethical aspects
- Mass media - objectivity - press and politics
Seafaring Piracy
- Hijacking of ships
- Pirates
- Pirates - Africa, North - History - 19th century
- Pirates - biography
- Pirates - Caribbean Area - history - 17th century
- Pirates - fiction
- Pirates - Great Britain - biography
- Pirates - Mediterranean Region - history
Changes in Newspaper Publishing Industry
- Newspaper publishing
- Newspaper publishing - United States
- Newspaper publishing United States - Biography
- Newspaper publishing - United States - history
- Newspaper publishing- United States - history - 20th century
- Publishers and publishing
Issues Related to Fishing Industry
- Fisheries
- Fisheries - environmental aspects
- Fishery conservation
- Fishery - law and legislation
- Fishery management
- Fishery policy
Effects of Global Warming
- Global temperature changes
- Global environmental change
- Global warming
- Global warming - history
- Climatic changes
- Climatic changes - history
- Greenhouse effect - atmospheric
- Ozone - environmental aspects
- Ozone layer depletion
Circulating Books
Below is a list of circulating titles related to your topics. Circulating books can be checked out for two weeks and are located upstairs on the third floor of the library. If you’re looking for one of the books below, first check the online catalog to make sure it's available.
Ethics in Journalism
What Liberal Media?: The Truth About Bias and the News
(306.44 A466w)
Ethics for Journalists
(174.9097 K26e)
The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect
(174.9097 K88e)
The Habits of Highly Deceptive Media: Decoding Spin and Lies in Mainstream News
(302.23 S689h)
Seafaring Piracy
Dangerous Waters: Modern Piracy and Terror on the High Seas
(910.45 B964d)
The End of Barbary Terror: America’s 1815 War Against the Pirates of North Africa
(973.47 L531e)
The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd
(910.45 Z16p)
Sir Francis Drake: The Queen’s Pirate
(942.055092 K29s)
Piracy in the Ancient World: An Essay in Mediterranean History
(910.453 O73p)
Changes in the Newspaper Publishing Industry
Privileged Son: Otis Chandler and the Rise and Fall of the L.A. Times Dynasty
(070.5092 M137p)
The Trust: The Private and Powerful Family Behind the New York Times
(071.471 T565t)
The Hearsts: An American Dynasty
(070.5092 R662h)
Knight: A Publisher in the Tumultuous Century
(070.50924 W589k)
Issues Related to the Fishing Industry
Salmon Without Rivers: A History of the Pacific Salmon Crisis
(333.95656 L698s)
The Plundered Seas: Can the World's Fish Be Saved?
(333.95616 B533p)
Marine Mammals Fisheries: Tourism and Management Issues
(e-Book)
Effects of Global Warming
Global Climate Change
(363.73874 G562b)
An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It
(363.73874 G666i)
The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth
(363.73874 F585w)
Global Warming
(363.73874 G562a)
Reference Books
Below is a list of reference books related to your topics. Reference books must be used in the library and cannot be checked out—but you can photocopy them. They are located downstairs, next to the reference desk.
Ethic in Journalism
The Encyclopedia of American Journalism
(REFERENCE 070.03 P191e)
Changes in the Newspaper Publishing Industry
The Conservative Press in Twentieth-Century America
(REFERENCE 070.4 C755)
Effects of Global Warming
Ecology Basics
(REFERENCE 577.03 E19)
World At Risk: A Global Issues Sourcebook
(REFERENCE 300 W927)
Databases
Use the subscription databases below to search for articles and research reports on your topic:
CQ Researcher |
FACTS.COM |
Opposing Viewpoints |
ProQuest |
Other Library Research Guides
| Avoiding Plagiarism Guide Tips on how to avoid plagiarism when writing your research paper. |
| MLA Style Guide for Citing Print Resources Quick reference sheet to citing print resources in MLA format. |
| MLA Style Guide for Citing Electronic Sources Quick reference sheet to citing electronic resources in MLA format. |
| Evaluating Web Pages Guide An overview of the questions you must ask when considering if a web resource is appropriate to use in a research paper. |
| Annotated Bibliography Guide - Coming Soon! |
Recommended Web Sites
Ethics in Journalism
Online Journalism Review (OJR)
This journal presents articles about "the full range of journalistic issues in all media, but with a particular emphasis on the Internet." Topics include the rise of blogs, participatory journalism, libel, ethics, technology innovations, and more. Articles are written by professional journalists and editors, and faculty, staff, and students. Searchable. From the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California (USC).
URL: http://www.ojr.org/
Committee of Concerned Journalists (CCJ)
The goals of this "consortium of journalists, publishers, owners and academics" include clarifying "the core principles and function of journalism" and "creat[ing] a better understanding of those principles by the public." Its site features a description of core principles and concerns, and articles and journalism tools for teachers, students, citizens, and others. Topics include accuracy, conflicts of interest, capturing voices, ethics, political reporting, and more.
URL: http://www.concernedjournalists.org/
Ethics Codes and Beyond: Can You Improve Your Code of Ethics?
"Here's a cookbook of the ingredients of codes currently used by 33 papers." Offers excerpts from various newspapers' codes of ethics, organized by topics such as public relations, conflicts of interest, and the Internet. A listing of ethics codes by newspaper can be found in the "Codes of Ethics" section of this site. From the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE).
URL: http://www.asne.org/kiosk/editor/99.feb/steele1.htm
Seafaring Piracy
Elizabeth's Pirates
Companion to a British television documentary about Queen Elizabeth I's use of "privateers -- licensed pirates -- such as Sir Francis Drake." Topics include background about the politics and government of Britain at the time, the pirates (such as Drake and Walter Raleigh), and the attack of the Spanish Armada in July 1588. Also includes interviews with historians, links to related sites, and a short bibliography. From Channel 4.
URL: http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/pirates/
Pirate Soul: History
This attractive site includes an overview of piracy, covering history from the 14th century B.C. to the 19th century, notable pirates (Blackbeard, Kidd, Black Bart, and others), pirates' codes of conduct and other aspects of pirate life, weapons and treasure, and the Jolly Roger. From the Pirate Soul Museum in Key West, Florida.
URL: http://www.piratesoul.com/history.aspx
Maritime, Sea & Ships: Pirates
Questions and answers about pirates "robber[s] who travel by water. Though most pirates targeted ships, some also launched attacks on coastal towns." Topics include corsairs ("pirates who operated in the Mediterranean Sea between the 15th and 18th centuries"), buccaneers (17th century Caribbean pirates), Blackbeard, and women pirates. From the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England.
URL: http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/. (Type in "Pirates" and search.)
Blackbeard the Pirate ... and the Presumed Wreck of Queen Anne's Revenge
Illustrated presentation about Blackbeard, "the most notorious pirate in the history of seafaring," and his flagship the Queen Anne's Revenge. Features an overview of the "Golden Age of Piracy" (1689-1718) and details about archaeological activities related to the shipwreck presumed to be the remains of the Queen Anne's Revenge (off the Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina). From the North Carolina Maritime Museum.
URL: http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/maritime/Blackbeard/
Changes in the Newspaper Publishing Industry
Associated Press (AP)
Click on a state to find out the member newspapers and broadcasters of that geographic region; read about the history of the press, including a timeline, AP Pulitzer Prize winners, and journalists that have died on the job; facts and figures; press releases; and media industry news; and a FAQ.
URL: www.ap.org
Newspaper History
Annotated directory of links reflecting the history of newspapers in the United States and the United Kingdom. Includes chronologies, essays, and brief histories. From the British Library.
URL: http://www.bl.uk/collections/histnews.html
Issues Related to the Fishing Industry
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC)
"Formed by Congress more than 50 years ago, the ... PSMFC helps resource agencies and the fishing industry sustainably manage our valuable Pacific Ocean resources in a five-state region. ... California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska." The site provides information about PSMFC projects and programs (such as the fish habitat education program and the Alaska crab rationalization), publications, and related information.
URL: http://www.psmfc.org
Lummi Island Wild: The Model for Sustainable Fishing
This Lummi Island, Washington state, commercial fishing site presents information about reefnetting, one of the "oldest forms of net fishing in the world." Through photographs, diagrams, and text, the site describes this technique for the selective and sustainable harvest of wild salmon. Offers information about Lummi Island (including a map and a photo gallery) and a collection of salmon recipes.
URL: http://www.lummiislandwild.com/
The World Conservation Union (IUCN): Global Marine Programme
Background and publications from this program focusing on marine issues such as "integrated coastal and marine management, fisheries, marine protected areas, larger marine ecosystems, as well as coral reef rehabilitation, and the effects of coral bleaching and climate change." Features reports, photos, press releases, and links to related websites. From the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
URL: http://www.iucn.org/themes/marine/
Effects of Global Warming
EPA Global Warming Site
This Environmental Protection Agency site provides extensive information on the problem of global warming. It discusses how greenhouse gas causes global warming, affects the climate and impacts many other things such as health, agriculture, and forests. The climatic change impact is presented for all 50 states. In addition, it explains preventive measures available at local, state, federal, and global levels. Slides and reports can be downloaded for presentations (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
URL: http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/
The Climate Group
Website for this "independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing business and government leadership on climate change. ... based in the UK, the USA and Australia." Features interviews with international business and government leaders, case studies about actions being taken by governmental and corporate actors "to minimize their carbon footprints," and suggestions for individuals for reducing emissions (with links to related sites). Also includes links to news stories, online publications, and more.
URL: http://www.theclimategroup.org
Global Warming Facts & Our Future
An exhibit "to help us make informed decisions and to help answer some important questions" about global warming. Topics explored include the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, causes of climate change (such as ocean circulation, volcanic eruptions, and human activity), historical climate change, and more. Includes activities, related links, and reading suggestions. From the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences.
URL: http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/
English 101 Research Assignment
The Shipping News is a novel that focuses largely on the personal struggles of a single character, Quoyle, but it is also a work that touches on many issues of importance in the world as a whole. One reason we read fiction is to expand our view of the world around us. In order to achieve an accurate and useful understanding of a fictional work, it is often necessary to conduct research concerning facts and issues. For your research paper in English 101, you will conduct research in order to develop a thesis and support for one of the topics below. Most important, with regard to this assignment, is that you gather enough information about your subject to develop an informed opinion about it. This will form the foundation (thesis) of your paper. Your knowledge must be specific enough to support that thesis with your own insight, in conjunction with specific references to sources. All references must be cited and documented using MLA format.
Research Paper Topics: (Choose one)
- Ethics in Journalism
- Seafaring Piracy
- Changes in the Newspaper Publishing Industry
- Issues Related to the Fishing Industry (such as over-fishing, decline in fish population, etc.)
- Effects of Global Warming
- Topic of your choice related to the novel (must be approved in advance of Project Description submission)
Requirements:
Research Papers must be thesis based arguments, 8 - 10 pages, typed according to the standards outlined in the syllabus. Sources must be documented according to MLA specifications. All assignments must be completed in order to receive a grade for the final research paper. Additionally, the topic description must not only be completed, but you must also receive a successful grade for this proposal in order to submit subsequent assignments.
Deadlines:
1/18/07 Project Description Due
2/1/07 Annotated Bibliography Due
2/7/07 Rough Draft Due – In-Class workshop
2/14/07 Research Papers Due
A thesis is an arguable statement, supported by explanation, facts, experience, and/or expert opinion, all of which form the body of the essay.
The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
To download a free copy click here.
Last Updated 1/25/07 sa
