371 Winter 2002

History 371
Historical Research
Winter Semester 2002
Frank Luttmer
108 Classic Hall
M W F: 10-11
866-7205
historians@hanover.edu

Course Description and Objectives

This course is a seminar designed to immerse junior history majors in the theory and practice of historical research and writing. It focuses on three areas of study: (1) the meaning, significance, and relevance of history, (2) the range of philosophies, methods, and approaches adopted by historians in Western civilization from the ancient world to the present, and (3) the skills, knowledge, and understanding essential for historical research and writing. The objective of the course is to equip history students (1) to understand and appreciate historiography and historical methodology, (2) to be more deliberate and reflective about the study of history, (3) to develop and hone their abilities as practicing historians, and (4) to place the study of history in a variety of social, cultural, and professional contexts.

Readings
1. Donald Kelly, ed. Versions of History from Antiquity to the Enlightenment Yale
2. Fritz Stern, ed. The Varieties of History From Voltaire to the Present Vintage
3. Ludmilla Jordanova, History in Practice Edward Arnold
4. Richard Marius and Melvin Page, A Short Guide to Writing About History 4th edition Addison-Wesley
5. Other texts, either distributed in class or linked to the web syllabus

Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.

1. Class participation (15%)

The success of this class depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. It is expected that you will be fully prepared to discuss the material assigned for the day. You will be responsible for leading one class discussion. Class participation grades will reflect your attendance record, the frequency of your contributions to class discussions, and the quality of your questions, comments, and conclusions.

2. Research paper (60%)

Research papers may be on any topic in history. It should be an analytical and interpretive paper of article length with a clearly defined thesis and a sustained argument. Papers should include primary sources and relevant historiography. The research and writing assignments are to be completed in stages, some of which will involve evaluating and commenting on the work of other class members. Evaluations and commentary (yours and mine) should be recorded in word processing files, capable of being exchanged as email attachments.
1. Prospectus (5%)
a. A prospectus, consisting of (1) a description of the topic and a statement of the objectives of the paper (no more than one page), (2) a potential thesis statement (one sentence), and (3) a comprehensive annotated bibliography (the annotations should summarize the ways you expect to use the source). Due: Feb. 4.
b. An evaluation of another class member's prospectus, including critical commentary on each section of the prospectus. Due: Feb. 8.
2. First Draft (20%)
First drafts may be limited to sources available in the Duggan Library. The grade will be based on the following criteria: (1) the quality of the thesis, (2) the quality of the design (organization) and logic of the argument, (3) the use of evidence and documentation, and (4) the quality of the writing (structure, grammar, and style). Due: Feb. 22.
3. Second Draft (5%)
a. A second draft of the paper. Due: Mar. 22.
b. An evaluation of another class member's second draft, including critical commentary on the criteria above and on the extent to which the author addressed my comments on the first draft. (The evaluator will have copies of the first draft and of my comments on the first draft.) Due: Mar. 26.
4. Third Draft (30%)
The third draft should include sources received from Interlibrary Loan. Evaluation will be based not only on the criteria above, but also the quality of the sources. Due: April 12.
3. A final exam (25%)

The final exam will be a take-home exam of no more than ten double-spaced typed pages.

Schedule

January 9
Introduction January 16
Ancient History: Kelley, Introduction, #1-10, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20
The Historical Essay: Marius, Preface, 1-35
January 23
Judeo-Christian and Medieval History: Kelley, #28-38, 43, 44, 46-51, 57-62, 72
Historical Thinking and Writing: Marius, 36-84
January 30
History in the Renaissance and Reformation: Kelley, #63-69, 73, 74, 79, 81, 83-5
Historical Research: Marius, 85-134; Databases
February 4
Prospectus Due
February 6
Early Modern History: Kelley, #75, 82, 89-95, 97
Style, Conventions, and Documentation: Marius, 135-192
February 8
Evaluation of Prospectus Due
Week 6
February 13
History in the Enlightenment: Kelley, #103, 105-112, Conclusion; Stern, I #1

February 20
History in the 19th Century: Stern, I #3-7

February 22
First Draft Due
March 6
History in the 19th Century: Stern, I #8-11, 14; Nietzsche (distributed in class)
March 13
History in the 20th Century: Stern II #1-7
March 20
History in the 20th Century: Stern II #9-15
March 22
Third Draft Due
March 22
Evaluation of Third Draft Due
March 27
The Discipline of History Today: Jordanova, Preliminaries, 1-113
April 3
The Discipline of History Today: Jordanova, 114-207
April 10
Contemporary Issues and Debates
Scott (distributed in class); AHR Forum 1989; AHR Forum 1998 (distributed in class);
April 12
Final Draft of Paper Due
Apr. 15-19
Final Exam Due

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