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), on reserve at the library.
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.
Each written assignment must be double-spaced, in 12-point Times/Times New Roman font, and have 1-inch margins on each side. It must include your name, a title, and page numbers.
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
Contact: If your question requires an extended answer, such as explaining a grade or advising on your paper topic, you should visit me during my office hours. For questions requiring a short answer you should contact me via email. Expect an answer over the phone only during my office hours–I do not check my voice mail regularly. I do not always check my email in the evenings or on weekends. Normally I will get back to you on the following working day. Check the syllabus and my email correspondence carefully before emailing your question–if it can be answered by reading my email announcements, assignment instructions, or other parts of the syllabus I will not get back to you. Make sure to include your full name in the signature–otherwise I will not know who sent the email. You may address me either as “Elena” or “Professor Razlogova” (see chart). It is in appropriate to begin your email with “Miss Razlogova,” “Hello Miss,” “Hello Professor,” or a standalone “Hello,” “Hi,” or “Hey.” Because your emails to me are official documents, you must use formal language (for example, full sentences and no “txt talk”) in phrasing your question. If the email is addressed, signed, or phrased inappropriately I will assume it is not addressed to me and will not answer it. Finally, course material is delivered during class time only. I will not summarize my lectures for you either over email or in person–if you miss a class, contact other students for their notes.
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 at Concordia (SHAC) is a member association of the Arts and Science Faculty devoted to the social and academic life of students in the history department. SHAC represents all history majors, minors, specializations and students taking a history class as an elective. We organize social and academic events and publish the undergraduate journal Historiae. For information on getting help, getting published or upcoming events check out our webpage http://www.shaconline.wordpress.com, join the Facebook group or stop by during our office hours to say hi and get some free coffee in LB 620-2 (in order to be sustainable please bring your own mug). If you have any questions we can be reached by email at SHAC@asfa.ca. Have a great semester.