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HIST 490 Syllabus: Spring 2007
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This course invites each student to make history. Drawing from the many courses undertaken, from various understandings gained over the past years of higher education, and from HIST 390, we will produce a completed thesis. We will also analyze the discipline of historical research itself, i.e., study not only the various ways in which people have written history in the past, but also how one artfully creates history by pulling together past years of life, studies and reflection. This seminar should reveal new insights into the historian's craft & art, and ease our passage toward the completion of a major research project. The particular focus and goal is straightforward: finish. For this segment of the Seminar, we will read, write, edit, re-write and finish the thesis paper. |
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To carry forward and complete a major research project; To communicate our progress, problems and solutions regularly, thus working with colleagues and incorporating their advice advisedly; |
To interpret critically all views -- grasping models of historical interpretation within primary and secondary sources along with the often-connected bias, then judging this material and arranging those judgments in a spectrum of more or less accurate evaluation. To be competent and knowledgeable (fully) in one historical area, and to explain the resultant insights through writing history; To become more familiar with the profession in its rational and irrational sides. To pull together and put to use the various results from courses of study pursued in the past. To be a Finisher. |
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Kate Turabian. A Manual for Writers.
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Grades will be drawn from two areas: Regular discussions on readings and thesis progress (30%); the written work (70%). |
| Office Hours are in my office at Foster 419 TTH 9-10 & 11:15-12:45 (801-832-2391). -- mm email |
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About a century ago, historians of the U.S. applied epithets like 'pragmatic' and 'do-ers' to Americans. That is our method: keep doing until finished, and aim to achieve that finished state by the end of the term. |
While success depends mainly upon your thought and effort, we will also enter into balanced critiques of others' projects in class. We are, I assume, united in that our intellectual interests are broad enough to foster useful discussion on all sorts of historical topics. Feedback and suggestions are important! This format should jog projects out of ruts and propel ideas further than expected. And I do mean "We" since segments of my own current project will be presented to you as examples, along with the tools used and stages endured. (Endured?) I firmly believe that if you can do it, so can I .... or, is it the other way around? |
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| Regular time, thought, attention and progressive accomplishment for this class is crucial, and we will discuss our work in each class. Best hint? Spend some time every day on your thesis -- like learning a new language -- a little each day is a LOT better than none, and a LOT each day is better than all! |
HIST 490 meets on Friday, 9-11:50 in CONV 104 |
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2. PRESENTATIONS OF STATUS, PROGRESS, TO-DO LISTS 3. TALK ABOUT WRITING, BOB 4. TURN IN A COMPLETED CHAPTER 5. EDITING & RE-EDITING; READING & RE-READING; INCORPORATING 6. MID-WAY: TURN IN ALL (more or less) COMPLETED MATERIAL 7. WRITING 8. FINISHING 9. POLISH THE PAPER 10. LAST QUERIES 11. TURN IT IN |
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Once learned, always known: the main goal of H390/490.
Westminster College seeks to provide equal access to the college's programs, services, and activities to people with disabilities as defined by the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have a disability for which you will need accommodations in this class, please let the instructor know as soon as possible. You will also be required to provide documentation of your disability to the Services for Students with Disabilities program in the START Center (Carleson Hall, 832-2590) |
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Sign up for individual consultations about the 390 project: Keep aprised of the 
