Independent Study...

[citoyenneclark.livejournal.com]

So I just found out that I can do an an independent study on something French Rev. related for school next year. Instead of taking a history class, (ie: Anatomy of Revolutions) I'd work for a semester on some sort of large paper. Here are some of my ideas, what do you guys think? Any other ideas? I've got 2 options for a faculty advisors each one is interested in different aspects.

Option 1) Professor one is more interested in cultural trends, and stuff like symbolism in the french revolution, and social aspects. (eh.....not my favorite area) She's interested in me writing my paper on the historiography of the French Rev, or how the French Rev is viewed through popular culture, compared through history. (ie: How was it viewed during the 3rd Republic, vs. Vichy France?) However, she's easy to work with, downside, likes Simon Schama.

Option 2) Professor two is more interested in political, economic and military history. Ideas for paper are: The CPS and planned economies, or how it operated as the world's first war bureau. Or the French-east India trading scandal (helped the downfall of the dantonists/hebertists.) and trade during the era. These topics seem a little more academic than say writing about pop culture. However he's rather hard to work with, (Socialist, and not in a good way, more the totalitarian type, and runs things according to such)

So...what do you guys think? any other paper ideas?

Comments

[maelicia.livejournal.com]

These topics seem a little more academic than say writing about pop culture.
Ah! I feel insulted!! My historical specialisation!!! ;)

Both look interesting. I have no personal opinion on which you should choose though. Depends what you want to do with it, if that work would prepare you for later studies, or if it's just for fun (well, and to get a good grade too, I assume). I don't know. I know more of the first type, obviously. I'd really need to focus more on political/economic/military history someday... I'd have to know how the CPS really worked! Hm, reminds me a friend of mine had suggested to me an idea like this once. Oh, despair: so many ideas, so little opportunities, only one specialisation possible...


P.S. I like how you describe that socialist prof. Are you sure he's not just rigidly anal-retentive? Totalitarism explained through Freud. Win.


Edit: Typos, argh. Am not focussed. Need more sleep.

[citoyenneclark.livejournal.com]

Well, that was also a factor, honestly, I don't really want to do something that I know your already doing. Feels like I'm encroaching on your research turf or something. I'm liable to get things thrown at me. XD