HST 100: The Study and Practice of History
Professor Daniel Lewis
Office: Building 94 Room 343
Office Hours: TR 9:00 to 9:45 am and W 10:00 am to noon
Phone: (909) 869-3869; x3860
E-Mail: dklewis@csupomona.edu
HST 100 provides an introduction to History as a discipline. It also explores the
relationship of History to other disciplines. Enrolled students will practice the
basic skills that they need to succeed as historians. They will also learn of the
resources relating to the study of history that the department and the university
provides. By completing the assignments and participating actively in class
sessions, students will become familiar with and practice habits, skills, and
techniques that will serve them at every level of the curriculum.
The professor has assigned two texts for the current quarter:
Jules Benjamin, A Student’s Guide to History, tenth edition
Brian Fagan, The Great Warming
The professor will also ask students to find and review materials online and work
with materials that he will provide in class.
The professor will require students to complete the following tasks during the
quarter. They are of equal value. Student mastery of the distinct tasks, which
introduce concepts, skills, and habits relating to the study and practice of the
discipline and which require students to demonstrate their ability to do what
historians do, will allow the professor to assess student performance and assign
grades. The assignments are:
Attendance, preparation, and participation in class sessions
Library assignments
“My Favorite History Book” Essay
Textbook Analysis Essay
Restall Presentation
Students must complete all of the assignments. The professor will provide
additional instructions for each assignment in future class sessions. Students
must complete all work by any and all assigned due dates.
HST 100: Syllabus, concluded
Course Outline
Week One: Introduction
Assigned Reading: Benjamin, chapter 1.
Week Two: Textbooks and You
Assigned Reading: Benjamin, chapter 2; begin Fagan
Week Three: Typical Assignments
Assigned Reading: None.
Week Four: Lines of Inquiry
Assigned Reading: None.
Week Five: Warming Up
Assigned Reading: Fagan, chapters 1 and 2.
Week Six: Warming Presentations, continued
Assigned Reading: Fagan, chapters 3 and 4.
Week Seven: Warming Presentations, continued
Assigned Reading: Fagan, chapters 5 and 6.
Week Eight: Warming Presentations, continued
Assigned Reading: Fagan, chapters 7 and 8.
Week Nine: Warming Presentations, continued
Assigned Reading: Fagan, chapters 9 and 10.
Week Ten: Warming Presentations, concluded
Assigned Reading: Fagan, chapters 11-13.
Winter 2009