Introduction to Historical Methods

A reminder of today’s in-class announcement: on Wednesday of this week, we’ll be meeting in Monroe 213 rather than our usual classroom. We’ll be using that space for a workshop on your introductory paragraphs (including thesis) that you’re composing to share in class on that date. Remember to bring two printed copies of the intro paragraph…

As discussed in class today, we’re re-arranging our schedule of assignments for the coming few classes. Please be sure to follow our online syllabus here, which is the most up to date.

Reminders on the proposal revisions, due in class on Friday:

1. Key Aspects to Improve:  

a) focus and “do-ability” — how, specifically, do my primary sources provide detail that will allow me to answer a focused analytical questions? Be sure to show both a focused question, appropriate for 8-10 pages of the final research paper, and exactly what kinds of detail from the primary source(s) will allow you to explore and answer it.

b) organization: work from the outline model(s) we discussed in class.  Remember to have your paragraphs about a single consistent topic (secondary sources, primary sources, significance of the project, etc.) with a clear starting or “topic” sentence that identifies its focus and point.

c) mechanics: see the links at our “Writing” page here for help… building better skills with writing mechanics is a step-by-step process. Pick a problem that’s been identified in your paper and start in.

2. Evaluation of the Revision: note that the second draft is evaluated both on the strengths it shows and, particularly, on the strength of the revision itself. The second draft’s grade has the potential to improve upon the first – and, as it’s measuring the quality of work since the first draft – also drop.

3. What You Need to Submit: the first draft and its attached grade sheet, your classmate’s proposal evaluation form, and the final, revised draft. Please staple all together in this order: top = final revised draft; next = first draft and attached grade sheet; last = classmate’s evaluation.

Our Wednesday class will be held at the Simpson Library, room 225. Please go straight to that site, not Monroe, and be sure to be on time!

Jack Bales, UMW’s Reference and Humanities librarian (and published author), will be introducing successful research strategies, particularly those related to the library resources, collections, and databases. He’ll also offer some excellent tips on how to avoid some of the glitches and traps that others in past 299 courses have encountered.

Welcome to History 299 – Fall 2011!

This will be our main site for Dr. Fernsebner’s course on Historical Methods. See links above for the syllabus and more. We’ll have a full introduction to the course on Monday, August 29th.