Research Methods
Dr. Laura Wittern-Keller, WitternKellerL@uncw.edu
Morton 103B, 962-7580. Office hours: M, W 11-12:30 and by appointment
Course Description
HST 290 will teach you both how to read history and how to write history. A methods course, it will ask you to take time to reflect on what history is, how it is used, and how it is created and re-created. Each student will read about the historian’s craft; learn about the historiography of public policy; and research, write, and present a major piece of primary research. We will also meet twice per week, as a community of scholars, to discuss our readings and our research goals.
Required Reading
Books:
Foner, Eric, ed. The New American History (Temple University Press, 1997).
Marius, Richard. A Short Guide to Writing About History (Pearson Longman, 2005).
Reference Books:
Strunk and White. The Elements of Style. (order from Amazon or Half.com)
Turabian, Kate. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (how’s that for a catchy title?). You will need this for all history research projects from here on, so you might as well invest in your own copy of this invaluable resource now.
Articles: (available on e-reserve)
Required: Graham, Hugh Davis. "The Stunted Career of Policy History: a Critique and an Agenda," The Public Historian, 1993. (e-res)
Recommended: Sugrue, Thomas J. "Crabgrass-Roots Politics: Race, Rights and the Reaction Against Liberalism," Journal of American History (September 1995) 551-578 (J-Stor)
Recommended: Zelizer, Julian. "Clio’s Lost Tribe: Public Policy History Since 1978," Journal of Public History, (e-res).
Grading: You will be working toward a maximum possible 1000 points. Final grade computation: 930 and over = A; 900 = A-; 865 = B+; 830 = B; 730 = C; 630 = D, etc.
This class is set up as a community of scholars, so attendance and participation are essential. (See Student Responsibility below).
Your grade will be composed of:
participation: maximum of 200 points
(preparation, quality of discussion points, engagement in class discussions, collegiality, constructive acceptance of criticism, attendance).
annotated bibliography: 100 points
paper outline: 200 points (NOTE: all three paper components will be graded on both form
and content)
first draft: 250 points
final draft: 250 points (predicated on extent of changes made from first draft comments).
See separate page on research paper guidelines.
Policy on Plagiarism
Academic honesty: please be sure to read carefully the University’s policy on plagiarism found on page 39 of the student handbook. It is your responsibility to know what plagiarism is. Plagiarizing, whether intentional or accidental, will result in an F for the assignment. A second infraction results in a final grade of F for the course.
Student Responsibility
This class is discussion-based. Therefore, each of us must be present for each class. You are allowed to miss two classes for any reason. Any more (for any reason) will result in a lowered final grade. If you miss six classes, you will be failed out of the class. You should arrive on time and plan to stay for the duration of the class. You may bring beverages, but no food.
Be sure to check your UNCW email account frequently.
Class Outline: (deadlines are underlined below)
Week One: Wed: Introductions. Begin Strunk & White
Week Two: Read Marius, chapters 1-3 for Monday. Finish Strunk & White, brief grammar quiz and discussion on Wednesday.
Week Three: Probing the depths of Randall Library: Bibliographer Sue Cody. We will meet in the library both Monday and Wednesday. Read Marius, chapters 4-6.
Week Four: (no class Monday). Overview of historical research
Read Marius, Appendix C (on book reviewing). Research paper proposals due Wednesday.
Week Five: Models of historical research: read "The Decision to Drop the Bomb," in After the Fact, v II, 317-345, available on e-reserves. Prepare discussion points. Wednesday: presentation of research proposals to class. Begin compiling annotated bibliography.
Week Six: The state of public policy history. Read Zelizer, Julian, "Introduction: New Directions in Policy History," Journal of Policy History, 17:1, 1-11 (on reserve) for Monday.
Week Seven: New trends in policy history: Read "U.S. Women’s History," in The New American History. Highlight important parts of the chapter and bring your book to class for discussion of reading techniques. Annotated bibliographies due on Wednesday.
Week Eight: New Trends in policy history: read "The History of the Family and the History of Sexuality" in The New American History. Individual student/professor meetings: no classes this week.
Week Nine: New Trends: read "African-American History" in The New American History. Read Marius, chapter 7
Week Ten: New Trends: read "Ethnicity and Immigration" in The New American History. Paper outlines due
Week Eleven: New Trends: read "Intellectual and Cultural History" in The New American History. Read Marius, chapter 8.
Week Twelve: New Trends: read "Western History" in The New American History
Week Thirteen: First drafts due on Monday.
Week Fourteen: Presentation of students’ research.
Week Fifteen: Final drafts due on Wednesday. Research presentations continue.
Week Sixteen: we will meet at our regularly scheduled exam period for wrap-up.
Important Note: this is a preliminary syllabus and may be changed to meet the needs/interests of the class. No change will be made without advance written notice delivered by email to each student’s UNCW account. Please check your UNCW email account regularly.