Introduction to the Study of History
HIST 2900, Spring 2014
M – W 11:00-11:50, 3212 Dunbar Hall, CRN: 15269
Fridays 11:00-11:50, 3502 Knauss Hall, CRN: 12532
Course web page at: https://elearning.wmich.edu
Professor Marion (Buddy) Gray
Office: 4416 Friedmann. Tel. 269-387-4645
Off. Hrs. M. W. 3:30-4:30, F 12-1 & by appt.
Course Prerequisite: one
introductory or higher-level History
course or permission of History
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Required Texts
Arnold, John H. History: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
ISBN 978-0-19-285352-3 Hacker, Diana and Nancy Sommers, A Pocket Style Manual. 6th ed. Boston and New York:
Bedford St. Martin, 2012. ISBN 978-0-312-54254-2*
Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to Writing History.7th ed. Boston and New York: Bedford
St. Martin, 2012. ISBN 978-0-312-61041-8*
Stearns, Peter N. World History: The Basics. London and New York: Routledge, 2011. ISBN
978-0-415-58275-9
* Hacker and Rampolla can be purchased as a package at a savings: ISBN 1-4576-3809-6
Course Objectives and Expectations
This course examines the scope and methods of history and introduces basic research, analytical,
communication, and study skills of historians. The class emphasizes history as a profession and
introduces a range of resources that may enhance students’ skills and knowledge as professional
historians. Goals of the course include that, upon completion, students will be able to:
(1) Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts, questions, fields and subfields
within the history profession.
(2) Critically analyze and contextualize primary source materials.
(3) Critically analyze, contextualize, and compare secondary sources including textbooks,
scholarly journal articles, and monographs.
(4) Generate significant research questions and effective thesis statements.
(5) Create structured essay responses using well-placed and appropriate evidence.
(6) Employ effective writing style.
(7) Utilize the “Chicago” style of citation formatting in essays and research writing.
(8) Conduct historical research by using library, archival, oral, Internet, and other
resources and generating bibliographies in support of these efforts.
(9) Identify several major authors, themes, concepts, and trends in historiography.
(10) Create meaningful and academically challenging degree plans and utilize the
resources of College and Departmental advising offices.
(11) Envision and present themselves as history professionals
M. Gray, HIST 2900
Course Website, On-Line Assignments, and E-Mail
It is your responsibility to check your WMU e-mail account and the course website regularly and
open e-mails from me. Assignments will be posted weekly by Thursday noon of the week before
assignments are due. Use your WMU e-mail account for all university correspondence.
Religious Observances Policy
I respect religious holidays. It is your responsibility to make arrangements with me in advance of
any planned religious holidays. Contact me with sufficient notice, and we will discuss alternative
assignment options. Religious observance does not relieve you of course responsibilities. For
more information, please access http://www.wmich.edu/policies/religious-observances-policy
Academic Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), I want to work with you if you
have a disability that is relevant to your work in this course. If you have a documented disability
and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible. Please
provide a written statement from Disability Services for Students outlining the accommodations
you need. Contact DSS at 269-387-2116 or www.wmich.edu/disabilityservices.
Instructor and Course Evaluation System (ICES)
Near the end of the term you will be contacted by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and
asked to complete an evaluation form for this course, please complete the evaluation. The form
will be made available through GoWMU. Please take this responsibility seriously.
Academic Integrity, Misconduct Policy
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the university’s policies and
procedures that pertain to Academic Misconduct. These policies address situations of cheating,
fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, and computer misuse. If
there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to
the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). For
information see http://www.wmich.edu/conduct/, especially the sections on Academic Honesty. If
you believe you are not responsible for academic misconduct, you will have the opportunity of a
hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty
prior to the submission of an assignment. I will be glad to discuss these topics with you.
The Classroom: A Place for Learning: No Texting, etc.
Please respect your fellow students and your instructor by refraining from all distracting activity
in class, including talking (except for participation in class discussions), using cell phones, texting,
reading web and printed materials not related to the class. Arrive by the beginning of class and do
not leave before class is over.
Maintaining a Portfolio of your Work
It is important that you keep all materials related to this course in a portfolio. This includes
materials that you receive in class and your own notes, written work, returned assignments, etc.
Bring this portfolio with you when you wish to discuss your progress or status in the class. It is
your responsibility to keep and store carefully all graded material returned to you. In case you
have questions about your grade, it will be necessary to bring in the material. Without this,
questions cannot be considered. Your portfolio will be one of your most important resources for
preparing for exams.
2 M. Gray, HIST 2900
Bring Books to Class
Always bring to class your copy of the book(s) that have been assigned as the reading for that
day’s class. We will often make reference to specific passages.
Grading
Value
I. Historical Project: Annotated Bibliography
Historical Research Question
Annotated Bibliography
Thesis Statement
Final Project
Total
II. Exams
III. Citation Assignment
IV. Professional Portfolio (iWebfolio)
V. Weekly Written Assignments
VI. Friday Forum Reports
VI. Professionalism
TOTAL
2/5
4/2
4/9
4/24
4/26
5%
10%
5%
10%
4/24
11/6
12/4
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
25%
15%
5%
5%
30%
10%
10%
100%
Friday Forums
The class meets each Friday together with another section of HIST 2900 in 3502 Knauss Hall
(with three exceptions, noted on the syllabus). This will be your opportunity to hear history
professionals discuss their work and learn of opportunities for expanding your expertise and
identity as a history professional. Three Friday Forums will give you the opportunity to
experience the University Library and Archives first hand. At the end of each session you will
turn in your report on the session. These will not be accepted early or late and cannot be made up.
Your best twelve of thirteen Friday Forum Reports will count as 10% of your final grade.
Weekly Written Assignments
Directions will be posted each Wednesday and are due at the following Monday’s class. (Any
exceptions will be announced.) Weekly assignments cannot be accepted late for credit, although I
will be happy to read and comment on late submissions for the sake of your learning experience,
for example, in the case of illness or emergency. Your lowest grade will be dropped to account
for emergencies and to encourage improvement.
Professionalism
Attendance in both the Monday/Wednesday class and Friday Forum is mandatory. Arrive for
class on time, and remain until class is dismissed. To accommodate emergencies, I allow up to
three absences during the semester without numerical penalty. Each absence thereafter reduces
your professionalism grade by 2 points. There will be an attendance sheet for each class. It is your
responsibility to see that you receive the sheet and sign your name with your normal signature.
Consistently arriving late for class and leaving early will negatively affect your professionalism
grade.
In-Class Participation and engagement are central to accomplishing the outcomes of this course.
You should be prepared to discuss assignments and participate in discussions. Consistent,
ongoing, thoughtful contribution to class discussions based on prior preparation will be a positive
factor in your participation grade.
3 M. Gray, HIST 2900
On-Line Discussions. I will, from time to time, post questions in the “discussion” section of the elearning site. Informed and earnest responses to my questions or to an on-line discussion will be
positive factors in the professionalism grade. Everyone must post at least one contribution on the
discussion board per month.
Instructor Letters. Three times during the semester you will be asked to upload an instructor letter
into the e-learning drop box. These are designed to reflect on your own learning process and to
communicate with me. Your responses often help me improve the course. They can also assist me
in helping you address any challenges you may have. These are required but are not graded, so
long as they are done conscientiously, although failure to participate will be a negative factor in
the professionalism grade.
Surveys. At least twice during the semester I will post some survey questions to gain your input
about particular parts of the course. The same conditions apply to the surveys as to the instructor
letters.
History Department Guest Scholars
The History Department sponsors a series of guest lectures every year. You, as a history
professional, are invited and encouraged to attend. This year’s series is on the subject, “Slavery,
Theory and Practice.” On January 27, 4-5 p.m., Professor Deborah Kamen of the University of
Washington will present a lecture entitled “Sex, Slavery, and Manumission in Ancient Greece” in
2500 Knauss Hall. http://www.wmich.edu/history/events/2013-14/Kamen2014January.pdf
On March 31, 4-5 p.m., Professor Peter Kolchin, of the University of Delaware, will present "U.
S. Emancipation in Historical and Comparative Perspective" at the Fetzer Center.
http://www.wmich.edu/history/events/hamnerlectureship.html. If you attend one or more of these
lectures and write a brief report a grade on it can substitute for a low or missed grade of a Friday
Forum report or a weekly essay. Instructions will be given.
94-100%= A (exceptional)
89-93%= BA (excellent)
83-88% = B (very good)
78-82% = CB (good)
Grading Scale
72-77% = C (satisfactory
67-71% = DC (acceptable)
60-66% = D (poor)
below 60% = E (failing)
Calendar of Course Assignments (Always check website for specifics.)
(H= Historiography; S= Skills in History; P= Professionalism)
January
M. 6: (University closed because of weather)
W. 8 Introduction: What is History? Your questions about history. Course Objectives.
F. 10: (P) Friday Forum: The Importance of History: Dr. Marion Gray, Department of History.
First Instructor Letter is due in the e-learning drop box by 11:59 p.m.
_______________________________
M .13: (H) History and Historiography: Drawing meaning from historical data. Arnold, Ch 1.
W. 15: (H) History Changes Over time. Arnold, Ch. 2. (S)
F. 17: (P) Friday Forum: Careers in History: Dr. James Cousins, Director of Undergraduate
Studies
_______________________________
M. 20: (No Class: Martin Luther King Day.)
4 M. Gray, HIST 2900
W. 22: (S) Why Study History? Working with Primary & Secondary Sources. Rampolla, Ch. 1-2.
F. 24: (P) Friday Forum: Excel at what you do and apply for assistance: Roundtable of Undergraduate Award Winners.
____________________________
M. 27: (H) Leopold von Ranke and “Modern History.” Can history be objective? Arnold, Ch. 3.
W. 29: (S) Beginning to think about writing in history. Rampolla, Ch. 3, pp. 22-42.
F. 31: (P) Friday Forum. Study Abroad Opportunities for History Majors and Minors. Ms. Ann
Ganz, Study Abroad Specialist and returning study abroad participants.
_______________________________
February
M. 3: (H) Archives: Documents and Sources. Arnold, Ch. 4.
W. 5: (S) Clarity in Writing. Hacker and Sommers 1-9, pp. 1-18. Historical Research
Question Assignment Due
F. 7: (P) Friday Forum: Gaining valuable experience and enhancing your resume: Peace Corps
and Habitat for Humanity.
_______________________________
M. 10: (H) Seeing the Larger Picture: Synthesizing. Arnold, Ch 5.
W. 12: (S) Clarity in Writing II. Hacker and Sommers, “Grammar,” section 10-16, pp. 19-45.
Second Instructor Letter Due in dropbox by beginning of class.
F. 14: (P) Friday Forum: Library Working Knowledge: Ms. Maria Perez-Stable, Head Reference
Librarian. Meet in Waldo Library, room 1070, Classroom A, on the first floor
_______________________________
M. 17: (H) The Past as a “Different World.” Arnold, Ch. 6.
W. 19: (S) On-Line Sources; Plagiarism: Rampolla 19-21; 89-93; 98-105. Hacker and
Sommers, p. 99 and Ch. 41, pp. 210-213.
F. 21: (P) Friday Forum: Library Working Knowledge: Meet in Waldo Library to the right of the
turnstile. Instructions will be provided.
_______________________________
M. 24: (H) “The Multiple Truths of History” Arnold, Chapter 7
W. 26: (S + H) Exam over Historiography, Historical Sources, and Styles
(F. 28: No class: “Spirit Day”)
March
(March 3-8: Spring Break)
M. 10: (H) World History: Why and How? Stearns, Ch. 1-2.
W. 12: (S) Forms of citation. Rampolla, Ch. 7, pp. 111-125. Some parts of this are review.
Familiarize yourself with forms of citations not yet discussed.
F. 14: (P) (S+P) Friday Forum: Presenting Yourself Professionally: Introduction to iWebfolio. Ms.
Karen Stokes-Chappo. Meet in 2208 Dunbar.
_______________________________
M. 17: (H) Habits of Mind in World History. Stearns, Ch. 3
W. 19: (S) Citation Assignment Due. In class: Improving Writing Style; instructions for
professional portfolio.
F. 21: (P) Friday Forum: Some specializations in History: Presentations by WMU Historians.
5 M. Gray, HIST 2900
_______________________________
M. 24: (H) Time in World History. Stearns, Ch. 4.
W. 26: (S) Conventions in Writing History. Rampolla, Ch. 4, pp. 49-76. Third Instructor
Letter Due. In Class: “Recognizing a Scholarly Work.”
F. 28: (P) Friday Forum: Public History: Dr. David Benac
_______________________________
M. 31: (H) Space in World History: Stearns, Ch. 5.
April
W. 2: (S) Annotated Bibliography Assignment due. In Class: Developing a Thesis. Review
Rampolla, 4b-4d (52-59). Bring Rampolla to class.
F. 4 (P) Friday Forum: Teaching History and Social Studies at the secondary level. Dr. Wilson
Warren and others.
_______________________________
M. 7: (H) Disputes in World History. Stearns, Ch. 8
W. 9: (S) Thesis Statement Due (w/ Peer Review Sheets Prepared). In Class: Conduct peer
reviews.
F. 11: Friday Forum: Graduate Study in History. A panel of history graduate students
_______________________________
M. 14: (H) Contemporary World History, Stearns, Ch. 9.
W. 16: (S) Oral Presentations over final projects.
F. 18: (P) WMU Archives and Regional History Collection: Dr. Sharon Carlson, Director of the
Archives
_______________________________
Thursday, April 24, 2011, 10:15 am-12:15 pm: Final Exam.
a. Upload Final Project to iWebfolio by 10:15 a.m.
b. In Class: written exam over historiography and writing conventions.
6