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Historical Methods
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This
course introduces students to study of the philosophy of history as well
as the mechanics of doing history. We
will look at the ideas and problems that come up when people attempt to
understand the past, ranging from questions about objectivity to the
importance of gender as a category of analysis.
We will also consider methodology, starting with basic skills like
writing proper footnotes and graduating to more advanced interpretive
skills like reading material evidence.
Although there will be a few standard “lecture and discussion”
class meetings, our work together will be primarily “hands-on,”
immersing you in activities to prompt thinking about making
interpretations of the past. Assigned
Allan
Greer, ed., The Jesuit Relations
Evidence
Presentations (2) – 20% Evidence
Presentations:
For this assignment you will work with a partner to make two presentations
to the rest of the class about a piece of historical evidence.
In each case you must find a primary source, one that you can bring
into the classroom in some form, and then talk about the evidence in a
coherent, organized way for 8-10 minutes.
You should 1) describe the source, 2) explain its historical
context, 3) discuss what it can tell us about the past, 4) point out its
limitations as a source, and 5) consider how these limitations might be
overcome. Each presentation is
worth a possible 10% of your grade, for a total of 20%. Analytical
Essay:
This assignment will give you the opportunity to make a comparative
analysis of The Jesuit Relations,
Black Robe (the novel), and Black
Robe (the movie) as historical interpretations.
The paper, 4-6 pp., should include an introduction, with a thesis
statement, a brief overview of the historical period and events in
question, and concentrate most substantially on the similarities and
differences between the three accounts.
This is worth 30% of your final course grade. Book
Reviews:
After completing Takaki’s Strangers
from a Different Shore and Gonzalez’s Harvest
of Empire, you must also write book reviews for each.
These should be both concise and comprehensive, not exceeding three
pages yet demonstrating that you read and understood the entirety of the
books. Although we will talk
about the contents and style of a good review during a particular class
meeting, you should provide a balance of summary and critical analysis.
The reviews are worth 10% for 20% of your final course grade. Immigration
History Project:
The final assignment for the course will develop from several class
discussions. We will visit the
Late
Assignment Policy:
For this course you are allowed two late submissions of an assignment due
to excused absences, which must be documented with the attached form (see
below) and some other written record of the reason for your absence (e.g.,
a doctor’s note, a relative’s obituary, court papers, etc.).
Any assignment you missed as a result of your absence must be
turned in during the next class meeting, when you return, in which case it
will receive no penalty. Once
you have used your two excused absences, however, any assignment not
submitted on the day it is due, in class, will receive an “F”.
Over-sleeping, family vacations, and other such reasons for missing
class and failing to turn in an assignment are not legitimate as grounds
for an excused absence, even with documentation. Grading Scale:
On all assignments the grading scale is as follows: A (92.5 and above), A-
(89.5 to 92.4), B+ (87.5 to 89.4), B (82.5 to 87.4), B- (79.5 to 82.4), C+
(77.5 to 79.4), C (72.5 to 77.4), C- (69.5 to 72.4), D+ (67.5 to 69.4), D
(62.5 to 67.4), and F (62.4 and below).
If at any time you have questions about the grading on an
assignment and/or wish to dispute a grade you should come see me during
office hours. I will only
consider serious and well-reasoned arguments for changing a grade. Plagiarism
and Cheating:
When you use the words or ideas of others, you must document your
source with the proper method of citation.
For this course, you will be expected to use footnotes to indicate
your sources. The one
exception to this rule is the use of lecture material.
Evidence of plagiarism—in violation of University policy—will
result in an “F” on the assignment or exam and might lead to a formal
disciplinary procedure (refer to the University’s course catalog for
more details). Classroom/Course
Accommodations:
If you have any special learning needs please let me know and I will see
about making the course and/or classroom more accommodating (typically you
must have documentation from Disability Services).
Also notify me if your religious observances conflict at some point
with assignment due dates or examinations and we will make different
arrangements if necessary.
Tentative
Lecture and Reading Schedule Week 1
Sept.
3 – Review syllabus; Lecture: Introduction to the Discipline
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