About the Course
This course will provide an introduction to historical methods—conducting research into and presentation of findings about historical subjects. Topics will include: critical and effective reading of historical sources; exploration of non-written sources as historical evidence; use of quantitative methods in history; concrete problems of interpretation encountered during historical research; and the presentation of findings through different forms of writing. Because this is required Honours course, it will have no particular geographical or chronological focus. In the course of the term, students will write and present to the other students an extended essay based on primary-source research.
Texts
Readings:
Articles, chapters, and examples linked from online syllabus.
Reference works:
Richard Marius and Melvin E. Page, A Short Guide to Writing about History (5th ed.; New York: Longman, 2005), in the bookstore.
William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918, or a later edition.
Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed.
Assessment
Successful completion of the course depends, most basically, on regular attendance in class, evidence of preparation and application, active participation in class discussions based on close readings of the required texts, and completion of all exercises and assignments on time.
1. Seminar participation 35%
2. Structural Article Analysis 10%
3. Primary Source Analysis 10%
4. Term Paper 45%
Participation
History 403 is a seminar course, and thus demands that students read on a weekly basis and come to class prepared to discuss the issues arising from the readings. Attendance is compulsory. A significant proportion of the final grade will be based on contributions to the seminar discussions.
Deadlines
The penalty for late assignments will be 5% of the grade per day. No extensions will be granted except in cases of a DOCUMENTED emergency.
Policies
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is an affront to me and to your peers. Plagiarism is submitting work that is not your own as if it were yours. This includes copying material, even a few sentences, from published or unpublished sources, from the internet, or from another student without citing the source. It also includes presenting another person’s ideas or paraphrasing the work of another person without citing the source. Plagiarism also includes handing in bought papers, papers obtained from free essay websites, or having another person write your paper for you. Anyone suspected of copying other people’s work without clear acknowledgement, or of any comparable act, will be reported to the Faculty of Arts and Science for plagiarism.
Syllabus: I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus during the year if/as necessary. Please check the online syllabus before every class.
SHAC Announcement
Students of History Association of Concordia represents all undergraduate students registered in one or more history classes at Concordia. We organize social and academic events; publish the undergraduate journal Historiae; and run a peer tutoring program. For information on volunteering, getting help with classes, getting published, or for upcoming events , check our website at: http://alcor.concordia.ca/~shac/index.htm (or access through the History Department site), or stop by our office for free coffee (LB-620.2). We can be reached at shacconcordia@yahoo.com.