Writing About History

DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to research methodology and the essential resources of historical scholarship. Training in critical thinking, evaluation/synthesis of sources and the creation of an argument. Particular emphasis placed on writing a short research paper and the scholarly use of primary and secondary resources.

RATIONALE: 
Similarly to every other discipline, history is characterized by specific academic skills and research tools. Students need to be trained in the basic skills of searching for and analyzing primary and secondary sources. The course will also introduce students to the academic writing specific to the discipline of history. Students will familiarize themselves with historical resources; retrieve information from primary and secondary sources; and use it critically to create an argument. The course thus represents an essential foundation for further historical study and more in depth writing in the discipline.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify primary sources and secondary sources related to history: such as books, periodicals, databases, encyclopedias, dictionaries.
2. Retrieve relevant information from secondary sources and evaluate their factual information and arguments.
3. Retrieve relevant information from primary sources and evaluate their factual information and arguments.
4. Summarize and synthesize and draw conclusions from factual information and opinions to create an argument of her/his own.
5. Write a short research paper, characterized by clarity and precision, which is documented adequately and appropriately.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
1. Scheduled visits to Deree College Library: Workshops by library personnel and instructor on retrieval of sources.
2. Workshops in collaboration with the Deree Writing Center, which will typically include: structuring an essay, creating a topic outline, writing a thesis statement.
3. Combined formal lectures with in-class group discussions of assigned material that will include primary and secondary sources.
4. Library assignments, which will typically include: methods of retrieving further reading material (for example working 
from articles back to books), and identification of key sources in secondary literature.
5. Written formative assignments as steps for the research paper: Thesis Statement; Bibliography; Formal Topic Outline; Draft paper. These assignments will be commented on by the instructor and revised by the student.
6. Use of a blackboard site, where instructors post relevant course material, assignment instructions and additional resources.