HISTORY 396A:

THE NATURE AND PRACTICE OF HISTORY

FALL, 1996

Prof. Karen Anderson

Office: 133 Social Science Building

Office Hours: 1:00-1:50, MT; and by appointment

Phone Number: 621-1706; 621-1586 (messages)

E-mail address: karena@u.arizona.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The study of history involves thinking about how historical knowledge is produced. This course will ask you to reflect on knowledge production primarily by engaging in it yourself. The course will focus on the skills necessary to do historical research, analysis, and writing. Students will define a research project in post-1940 U. S. history, complete the necessary secondary reading in order to locate their project in historical and historiographical context, do sufficient research in primary sources t o answer the questions they pose, and write a well-organized, effectively argued paper, 15-20 pages long.

The course grade will be calculated as follows: 40% on attendance, participation in class and on POLIS, meeting weekly assignments; 10% on interpreting historical documents assignments; 15% on rough draft of research paper; 35% on final draft. On all as signments for the class, bring enough copies for everyone in the class.

Optional Book for course: William Giles Campbell, et. al., Form and Style: Theses, Reports, Term Papers. Available for purchase at Antigone Books, 411 S. 4th Ave. Phone: 792-3715.

COURSE SCHEDULE 
August 26.  Introduction to Course:  course structure and class dynamics;
doing historical research; defining primary and secondary sources; defining a topic; using POLIS.  Each student must have an e-mail account!  Interpreting historical documents; explan
ation of interpretive project for next two weeks.


Assignments:  1) Draft a one-page abstract of your topic and 2) a preliminary bibliography (due September 9 at 9:00 a.m.). The bibliography should include secondary and primary sources pertinent to your project, including those not available to you in Tuc
son or on interlibrary loan (these are usually located in archives) as well as those you will be using for the paper.  3)  Place orders for interlibrary loan materials you will need. 4) Series of assignments on interpreting historical evidence (use POLIS 
to access some of the evidence, and submit short writing assignments).
Due dates for various stages are September 3, 9, 16 and 23.


September 2.  Holiday, No Class


Assignment:  1) Each student is to meet with me for 15 minutes this week to discuss progress on project; schedule of meeting times will be posted on my door.  2) Continue working on evidence interpretation project.  Consult POLIS and pick up materials as
necessary.


September 9.  Meet in Library, Room, 315A; identifying sources;
annotating a bibliography; using the World Wide Web; learning how to take
notes. Discuss and evaluate potential primary sources for each project.
Discuss writing assignments on historical interpretation.


Assignments:  1)  Post one message on POLIS (at least two paragraphs) on
interpreting historical evidence.  Check POLIS (Lessons)
for questions.  2)  Complete the major secondary reading for your project
and submit an annotated bibliography (due September 16 at 9:00 a.m.).


September 16.   Interpreting historical evidence; progress on projects;
preparation of prospectus; assign readers for each prospectus.  
        
Assignments:  1) Prepare a prospectus for your paper (due September 23 at 9:00 a.m.).  This should be 3-4 pages long and include the following:
  1. Statement of topic.
  2. Historical and historiographical issues to be addressed (explain how your work relates to the relevant secondary literature and what historical events it will document and analyze)
  3. The method you have designed to address those issues. How will your primary sources enable you to answer the questions you are posing? (You must persuade us that your project is viable.) What interpretive issues are posed by the sources you are using?
  4. Problems you have encountered or expect to encounter, questions we need to discuss.
2) Complete assignment on interpreting historical documents. See POLIS for further instructions. September 23. Discuss each prospectus. Each student will be responsible for evaluating the prospectus of another student. All students, however, are also required to read each prospectus and be prepared to offer suggestions on each project. Assignments: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS 2) Each student must post one message to POLIS about progress on project before September 30. September 30. No Class Assignments: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS 2) Each student must meet with me on September 30 or October 1 to discuss your projects before class meets again 3) Each student must post one message to POLIS about progress on project before October 7. October 7. No Class Assignments: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS 2) Prepare a brief (2 pages) progress report on your project, identifying work completed, work to be done, and problems encountered (due October 14 at 9:00 a.m.) October 14. Discuss progress reports. Assignments: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS 2) Each student must post one message to POLIS about progress on project before October 21. October 21. No Class Assignment: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS 2) Each student must post one message to POLIS about progress on project before October 28. October 28. No Class Assignment: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS November 4. Present first drafts Assignment: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS November 11. Holiday; No Class Assignment: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS November 18. Present first drafts Assignment: 1) WORK ON PROJECTS November 25. Present final papers December 3. Present final papers