History 5905:

History Seminar

Spring 2008

Right now you might be asking yourself, what is a history seminar and why do I have to take one?

To answer the second question first, you don’t have to take one. You may choose to meet the capstone requirement through an individualized Directed Research course.

So, why should you consider taking one? This one, specifically?

Because completing your capstone project alone can be, and frequently is, a lonely and frustrating experience, an experience that is much better shared with people in exactly the same spot. You will also, and not at all incidentally, most likely produce a much better capstone project if you take advantage of the support available to you in this seminar.

But, you ask, what is this capstone project and why do I have to do one? Because it is a requirement of the history major for you to complete a signature project in you senior year that pulls together and advances all that you have learned about the discipline of history. I realize I am being vague about what a capstone, or signature, project is. Deliberately so. In our field, history, it usually takes the form of a research paper that combines both primary and secondary research united in a clear argument. It does not have to be a paper, however. There are other options, including websites, exhibits and curriculum plans.

How will this particular class help you, regardless of the form of your final project?

This seminar will provide you with the structure, timetable, support group, readers and commentators you need to produce a quality product.

Toward that end, the course grading structure is set up to heavily reward participation in all phases of the project as outlined by the course schedule, and to heavily punish non-participation. Forty percent of your grade will rest on how well you complete each phase of the process. This means that even should you produce an A+ paper at the end of the semester, if you have not participated in the course or met the deadlines provided, your final grade will be no higher than a C. It also means that even if your final project doesn’t come together in the best possible way, you still have a good shot at a B for the overall course.

*Notebooks: You will collect all your work throughout the semester in a notebook or other secure binder. This work will include all formal assignments, your research notes, research photocopies, idle jottings, scribblings, to do lists, peer reviews (given and received), and drafts. At any time, and more than once, I will ask for your notebooks and I will collect and review them, marking them for required assignments and evidence that you are working steadily on your project. Please bring them to class with you each session.

READINGS

Joseph M. Williams, Style: Toward Clarity and Grace
Norman J. Wilson, History in Crisis?
Booth, Colomb and Williams, The Craft of Research
Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE POLICIES

• Office Hours. Please use the office hours to discuss both specific questions raised by the course work and more general concerns pertaining to the study of history and academic life. Also, please use the office hours if you feel you don’t understand basic or advanced concepts discussed in class.
• Attendance is required.
• Absences will be treated as follows. For every unexcused absence after the first two, your grade in the course will go down by one letter grade. That is, if you have earned an A but have three unexcused absences, you will receive a B in the course. If you have earned an A, but have four unexcused absences, you will receive a C in the course. Thus, even if you have earned an A in the course, six unexcused absences will result in a course grade of F.
• Always bring the assigned reading material to class.
• All work is due at the beginning of the class on the date specified.
• Work will not be accepted after that time. If you cannot attend class that day, make arrangements for the essay to be turned in early or send it with a colleague.
• There will be no makeups for in-class quizzes and in-class activities. If you are absent that day, you will receive zero credit for that quiz or activity. If your absence is excused you may elect to negotiate either an alternative assignment or a conversion of the points from quizzes and activities to participation points. Failure to negotiate for either will result in zero points.
• Plagiarism and other forms of scholastic dishonesty, as defined in the Student Conduct Code, will result in zero credit for the assignment and may result in a course grade of F, depending on the severity of the offense.
• Individuals who may have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptations of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.

 

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