Students begin by reading a book and developing a thesis. They then write a critical essay using primary source quotations to prove their theses. Next, students research critical essays using resources in the O'Rourke Library and then incorporate the chosen secondary source material into the critical essay. They are required to use resources from the last two years only. The librarian instructs the students in the use of the Dialog at CARL and Infotrac databases.
Every junior writes a small current events paper in United States history.
Students are required to use Dialog at CARL and Infotrac for this paper. The librarian gives in depth instruction in these two databases to each class. US History - Later in the year every junior United States history student completes a US research paper. Students use resources from the O'Rourke Catalog, databases available at Bishop Fenwick, and local library catalogs available on the Internet. Students learn about interlibrary loan services and are encouraged to use them at their own public library.