Dr. Wendy Turner
Historical Research Methods
HIST 3001
updated 08/10/2008
INTRODUCTION:
As a history major you need several practical skills in order to excel. This course is designed to teach you those skills and provide you with the necessary tools to become a good historian. It is only an introduction to the tools, methods, and theories that historians use in their craft. One aspect of the course will be quite mechanical: using the computer, using the library, taking good notes, preparing for exams, and writing a research paper. Another aspect of the course will be theoretical and methodological: identifying the craft of an historian. You will investigate and share your findings about great historians and produce a paper using the skills you have learned.
This term we shall all be working on several aspects of the medieval medicine. As a group we will examine various approaches to history through the use of common works on the crusades by leading scholars in that field. We will read a variety of histories from different point of view, using different methods.
I. OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course you should be able to:
use the computer programs normally employed by historians
use the materials found in the library reference room
write an essay examination
write a book review
write a research paper
present historical information in a public forum
understand the contributions of some of the world's great historians
II. REQUIREMENTS:
This is an intense course. It requires your consistent participation and involvement
in your learning process. Many of your assignments will be due on email. You
all have an account given to you by ASU: become familiar with it. Only the
final copy of your research paper will be turned in as a hard copy.
A. Research Project:
This course is based around your research project. You will select an aspect of our current topic and write a paper to answer a specific question. We will talk about questions in class.
The paper will be written, as all papers are, in stages. But, rather than only turning in the final copy, in this class you will turn in each stage.
Proposal - 50 points
This consists of a restated question, a thesis, and an initial bibliography.
Book Review - 50 points
You will review a work of history that pertains to the research you are doing. I will give you examples of good and bad book reviews to work with and we will talk about how to approach reviewing the work of your colleagues and peers.
Draft Paper - #1 = 50 points, #2 =100 points
A complete draft of your paper is due. This should be in the general format of the final paper. There will be a second draft due as well and an individual meeting. Failure to come to your meeting or meetings will affect this grade.
Presentation - 100 points
This is a formal "peer review" session in which you will present the substance of your paper to the class. Student and instructor comments will focus on ways you can improve your work before turning in your final copy. Each presentation will take about 30 minutes (think about 2 minutes per page). You will be required to review your fellow students.
Reviews – 50 points
See above.
Final Paper - 200 points
This is a formal research paper prepared in accordance with class comments and the standards contained in Turabian's Manual. (See book list.)
B. Final Exam:
Blue book exam or alternate TBA - 100 points
The final is cumulative. The purpose of this exam is for you to demonstrate how much you have learned about the historians discussed in class and the proper methods of preparing for and taking an examination.
C. Class Participation:
The business of history is much more than simply reading books and writing papers. Discussing, comparing, peer reviewing, and listening to papers brings depth to your own work and breath of knowledge. Presentation of ideas and papers also adds to your understanding of a topic and the general knowledge of others, a "high-class" version of instructing. You must, therefore, attend class in order to pass the course. You will also be expected to present aspects of your research in class for the benefit of your fellow classmates and instructor.
Participation (and Attendance) - 200 points
B. Point System:
Totals:
Research Project - 550 points total
Final Exam - 100 points
Class Participation - 250 points
Grand Total - 900 points
C. Explanation of Academic Grades:
Many people ask, "What does it mean to get a 'B'?"
An 'A' indicates:
The student's performance exceeds the expectations and standards of the class.
Their work is on time, complete, and represents a best effort. The student
is willing and prepared to participate. The student performs at the highest
cognitive level, demonstrating an ability to synthesize and evaluate the material
presented.
A 'B' indicates:
The student's performance meets the expectations and standards of the class.
Their work is on time, complete, and represents a good effort. The student
has only occasionally missed class or arrived late. The student performs at
the middle cognitive level, consistently demonstrating an ability to analyze,
apply and comprehend the material presented.
A 'C' indicates:
The student's performance partially meets the standards of the class. Work
may be late, or missing. Work appears to have been a hasty attempt to meet
the requirement. The student may have missed classes or arrived late regularly.
The student performs at a lower cognitive level, demonstrating an ability
to comprehend and memorize the material presented.
A 'D' or an 'F' indicates:
The student's performance does not meet the standards of the class. Work may
be late or missing, or it may represent an unsatisfactory attempt to meet
the requirement. The student may not have attended with regularity. The student
has not performed at the lower cognitive levels and understands or retains
little of the material presented.
D. Help:
Students from other countries who have trouble with English or other aspects
of US Culture should see me early for help and advice.
Those students who may have learning or other disabilities should also see me early for assistance and special arrangements.
I am quite reasonably available by appointment as well to anyone who wants advice on writing, studying, or organizing for the class. If possible, please let me know in advance when you want to meet so that you or I are not left waiting and wasting time. Do not hesitate to talk to me before or after class. Please, contact me if you need help with any aspect of the course. If you know you will miss class, let me know so I do not drop you from the class roll.
IV. BOOKS NEEDED FOR THE COURSE
(Theme for Fall 2008 -- Alchemy)
Benjamin, Jules R. A student's Guide to History. Bedford/St. Martin's. 0312446748
Moran, Bruce T. Distilling Knowledge: Alchemy, Chemistry, and the Scientific Revolution ( Series: New Histories of Science, Technology and Medicine). Harvard University Press, 2006. ISBN 0674022491
Newman, William R. Promethean Ambitions: Alchemy and the Quest to Perfect Nature. University of Chicago Press, 2005. ISBN: 0226575241
Turabian, Kate L. A Manuel for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations . 7 th edition. (Revised) Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1996. ISBN-13: 9780226823379
Schedule for Fall 2008:
Supplemental readings will be handed out along the way in addition to your books.
August 18 Introduction
August 20 Proposals and Bibliographies; Discussion of Benjamin #1
August 25 Library Research Skills, meet in the library
August 27 Archives, meet in the library
September 1 Labor Day – No Class
September 3 Proposal for topics due, Discussion of Newman
September 8 More Newman discussion and Benjamin discussion #2
September 10 How to write a book review
September 15 Discuss common writing errors
September 17 Book review due; Methods of history
September 22 Historiography – read Ginzburg before class (handout)
September 24 How to write and take exams
September 29 Discuss Moran
October 1 Study Group Day – No Class
October 6 Discuss Drafts
October 8 Discuss Drafts, problems, issues in research and writing
October 13 First Draft due
October 15 No class
October 20 Individual meetings
October 22 Individual meetings
October 27 Individual meetings
October 29 Individual meetings
November 3 Individual meetings
November 5 Individual meetings
November 10 Second Draft Due
November 12 Oral Presentations
November 17 Oral Presentations
November 19 Oral Presentations
November 24 Oral Presentations
November 26 Thanksgiving – No Class
December 1 Oral Presentations
December 3 Oral Presentations
Final Exam – Monday, Dec 8 at 1-3; OR Wednesday, Dec 10 at 10 am– noon
In the past I have covered many themes. This Spring (2008) the theme will be Medieval and Early Modern Medicine. Some of the most recent themes include: The Wars of the Roses, The Crusades, The Da Vinci Code, and Major Historians. Each course has its own character and set of readings, but we always cover the basics of methodology and historiography. For a partial list of past required books, see below. These are not required for all Historical Research Methods courses.
Theme Medieval and Early Modern Medicine:
Martha Howell. From Reliable Sources: An Introduction to Historical Methods. Cornell, 2001. ISBN: 0801485606
Turabian, Kate L. A Manuel for Writers
of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th edition. Chicago: University
of Chicago Press, 2007. ISBN-13: 9780226823379
Carole Rawcliffe. Medicine and Society in Later Medieval England. Sutton Publishing, 1998. ISBN-13: 9780750914970
Ian Dawson. Medicine in the Middle Ages. Enchanted Lion Books, 2005. ISBN-13: 9781592700370
Nancy Siraisi. Medieval and Early Renaissance
Medicine: An Introduction to Knowledge and Practice . University of Chicago
Press, 1990. ISBN-13: 9780226761305
Wars of the Roses:
Alison Weir, Princes in the Tower,
Ballantine Books (reprint 1995) ISBN:
0345391780
Bertram Fields, Royal Blood: Richard III and the Princes in the Tower, Regan Books (2000) ISBN: 0060987383
Josephine Tey, Daughter of Time, Touchstone (1995) ISBN: 0684803860
Historians:
Bloch, Marc. The Historian's Craft. Introduction by Joseph R. Strayer. Translation from the French by Peter Putnam. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1953, 1964.
The Crusades:
Steven Runciman. The First Crusades (paper) Cambridge (2006) 052134770X
Amin Maalouf. Crusades Through Arab Eyes. (paper?) Schocken (1989) 0805208984
Thomas F. Madden. New Concise History of the Crusades. Rowman & Littlefield (2005) 0742538230
Joinville and Villehardouin. Chronicles of the Crusades. Penguin (1963) 0140441247
The Da Vinci Code:
Baigent, Michael et al. Holy Blood, Holy Grail. Dell: 1983. ISBN - 0440136482
Newman, Sharon. The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code. Berkley Trade (2005) ISBN - 0425200124
Nicholl, Charles. Leonardo da Vinci: Flights of the Mind: A Biography. Penguin: 2005 ISBN- 0143036122
The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci (Volume 1) Dover Publications: 1970. ISBN: 0486225720