HIST 330: Proseminar in History
Spring 2006
Dr. Melanie Perreault
HH381 (phone: 410-543-6267)
e-mail:
Office Hours: MW 9-12
(or by appointment)
This course is designed to introduce students to the profession of history and the history of the profession. Over the course of the semester, we will study how earlier historians have understood the field and will examine the current state of the profession. Along the way, students will also learn research methods to employ and pitfalls to avoid as they seek to enter into the scholarly world of historical research.
Course Objectives: During the semester, students will:
1. Study the development of history as a profession.
2. Examine the theories of prominent scholars, and develop their own philosophy of history.
3. Improve research and writing skills through the production of a significant research paper.
4. Improve critical thinking skills through an analysis of primary and secondary sources.
5. Demonstrate oral communication skills in class discussions and by presenting their research.
Required Texts:
Turabian, Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations
Marius, A Short Guide to Reading About History
Pagan, Anne Orthwood’s Bastard
In addition, students are responsible for the assigned readings on reserve at the library, and are required to purchase a three-ring binder for the research portfolio.
Course Requirements: Students will be evaluated based on their performance in class laboratories, the biographical sketch, a book review, two tests, an annotated bibliography, a rough draft, a research paper, and a brief presentation. Grades will be weighted as follows:
Lab participation:10%
Biographical Sketch:15%
Book review:10%
Annotated Bibliography:10%
Research Portfolio 20%
Class Participation/Presentation:10%
Research Paper:25%
Evaluation:
My final evaluation of your performance in this course will be judged only against yourself—this is not a competition between classmates. Class preparation is important in any course, but it is crucial for the success of this course. You must come to class each week having done the reading and mentally digesting the material.
Writing Across the Curriculum:
Students will have many opportunities, both formal and informal, to improve their writing in this course.
Papers:
In addition to informal writing in class, students will write a biographical sketch, a book review, and a research paper this semester. Detailed instructions for these papers will be handed out separately. LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED EXCEPT UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Research Portfolio:
Students are required to develop a research portfolio for the research paper in this class. Your portfolio will contain all of your research notes, reflective writing, your rough draft, and other assignments throughout the semester. I will collect your portfolio periodically and will assign a grade based on your progress. Detailed instructions will be handed out separately.
Presentation:
Students will present their final papers during the last three weeks of the semester. These are to be semi-formal presentations, as if you were teaching a 10-15 minute class on your topic. I’m less interested in oral presentation technique than in your ability to share your ideas with your classmates and receive feedback. In other words, relax—this is not intended to make your palms sweat!
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend and participate in all classes and laboratory meetings at the NabbResearchCenter. Any unexcused absences will result in a lowering of the participation grade.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
The best learning environment is one based on mutual respect and trust. However, the desire to achieve a good grade without doing the necessary work may tempt some students to cheat on exams or to represent the work of others as their own. As should be obvious to anyone at SalisburyUniversity, PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING ARE WRONG and are acts of “academic dishonesty.” The term “academic dishonesty” means a deliberate and deceptive misrepresentation of one’s own work. Instances of academic dishonesty include all, but are not limited to, the following:
Plagiarism:
* Presenting as one’s own work, whether literally or in paraphrase, the work of another author.
* Turning in the same paper for multiple courses.
* Cheating on exams, tests, and quizzes; the wrongful giving or accepting of unauthorized exam material; and the use of illegitimate sources of information.
* Unsanctioned collaboration with other individuals in the completion of course assignments.
* Falsifying data and use of fraudulent methods in laboratory, field work, and COMPUTER WORK.
* Falsifying excuses for non-attendance or completion of assignments.
There are no mitigating circumstances to justify academic dishonesty. IF you are unclear about what constitutes academic dishonesty or plagiarism, please ask – Ignorance is no excuse. Discovery of academic dishonesty will bring stiff penalties, including a failing grade for the assignment in question and possibly a grade of F for the course. The maximum penalty at SalisburyUniversity for plagiarism is possible expulsion from the entire USM system, so for your own sakes, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
Course Schedule:
PART I: Introductions
M Jan 30: Introduction to Course
W Feb1: Introduction to Historical Analysis
Reading: Marius, 1-12.
M Feb 6: Searching for Meaning
Reading: Pagan, Anne Orthwood’s Bastard; Marius, 72-108.
LAB #1: Introduction to the NabbResearchCenter
W Feb 8: Using Primary Sources
M Feb 13: Using Primary Sources
LAB #2: Primary Source Practicum
W Feb 15: Using Primary Sources
M Feb 20: Tour of Blackwell Library (meet in lobby)
LAB # 3: Using Secondary Sources
W Feb 22: Choosing a Topic
****Biographical Sketch Due****
M Feb 27: NO CLASS (Gone to conference)
W Mar 1: Individual Meetings
M Mar 6: Writing Book Reviews
****Annotated Bibliographies Due****
Reading: Marius, 72-108
W Mar 8: Individual Meetings
M Mar 13:Documenting Sources (Bring Marius and Turabian to Class)
LAB #4: Note-taking Strategies /Structuring an Argument
W Mar 15: Research Strategies
***Book Reviews Due***
Reading: Marius, 13-28; 49-71
[SPRING BREAK MARCH 20-26]
M Mar 27: Writing History Part I—Basic Rules
W Mar 29: Writing History Part II—Writing With Style
M Apr 3: A Case Study: A Midwife’s Tale
LAB #5: Constructing the Bibliography
W Apr 5: Film: AMidwife’s Tale
Reading: A Midwife’s Tale (ON RESERVE)
M Apr 10: Ancient Historiography
LAB #6: Careers in History
W Apr 12:American Historiography
****Rough Drafts Due****
M Apr 17:The Politics of History
LAB #7: Preparing the final draft
W Apr 19:Individual Meetings
MApr 24: Peer Review and Presenting Research
W Apr 26: Peer Review
M May 1: Work Session at NabbCenter
W May 3: Presentations
M May 8: Presentations
W May 10: Presentations
M May 15: FINAL DRAFTS DUE (Turn in entire research portfolio to my office)