Villanova University HIS 5501: Seminar in Historical Methodology Spring 2008, T R 10-11:15 am, Bartley 028
Dr. Paul Steege STAUG 428 x9-6963 paul.steege@villanova.edu http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/paul.steege/			Office hours: T 2:30-3:30, F 1:15-2:15 and by appointment
Course Objectives:	This course presents history majors the opportunity to plan, research, and write an article-length research paper (approximately 25 pages), based largely on primary source materials. Over the course of the semester, we will do the work of historians, from choosing a research subject and locating the sources necessary to investigate the topic to producing a carefully crafted and well-documented piece of historical writing. Along the way, we will explore relevant historical scholarship, cultivate our ability to evaluate published and unpublished sources, and work to translate our research into an argument that we can present clearly in both oral and written forms. The course centers on the theme of things as one way to consider history in terms of everyday life. Students will select one object of everyday use (product, good, raw material, or cultural item) from no earlier than 1750. Your choice is open to any item for which you can find sufficient information, regardless of its political, economic, or cultural “weightiness.” Each student paper will use this object as a way to unpack the history of particular place, time, or issue.
Required Materials:	Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to Writing in History. 5^th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. Roche, Daniel. A History of Everyday Things: The Birth of Consumption in France, 1600-1800. Trans. Brian Pearce. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Course Organization:	This course aims to provide you the conceptual and methodological tools to complete your research paper successfully. At the same time, it also seeks to allow you ample time to undertake the necessary work that this project entails. In order for this model to succeed, the class will depend on all students’ commitment to complete the required work, both inside and outside the classroom. Since all historical research and writing is ultimately a collaborative process, your failure to complete on time the required work in this class will undermine not only your own research project but also impact negatively the work of your classmates.
Assignments:	Participation: Attendance at all class meetings is required, but a research seminar is only as good as its participants’ commitment to engaged discussion. Regular, engaged participation in class discussions is simply assumed. This does not mean that I anticipate that you will all have “the answer.” This research seminar is a collaborative undertaking, in which we propose, examine, and critique ideas. While our discussions must retain respect for each other and our divergent opinions, they will also allow for (and demand) rigorous, critical examination of what people have to say. Final Paper: The final paper is the focal point of this course, and the grade is weighted equivalently. There are, however, a number of intermediary steps along the way. These steps are required but also aim to help you successfully complete your research papers (the steps are noted in the gray sections of the schedule below and are described in greater detail on the online paper guidelines).
	Final Grade:	Participation Final Paper		25% 75%
		TOTAL		100%
Late Work:	All assignments must be completed as scheduled. Failure to fully complete any piece of the research program (those items marked as due in the gray sections below) will reduce the final paper grade by one letter for each missed or incomplete step. Check the schedule of due dates NOW, and plan your semester accordingly.
Academic Integrity and Grading:	Academic integrity rests at the foundation of intellectual life in a university. Plagiarism or cheating on any coursework will not be tolerated. Any case of academic fraud (copying of another student’s work, undocumented use of an outside source, etc.) will automatically result in a failing grade for the course and the submission of an academic integrity report to the university. If you have any questions about documenting sources or what constitutes academic fraud, please speak to me or consult the student handbook. I will discuss this in detail during the first week of the course. Grades will adhere to the criteria stated in the undergraduate catalog. As a reminder, an "A" is defined as: “the highest academic grade possible; an honor grade which is not automatically given to a student who ranks highest in the course, but is reserved for accomplishment that is truly distinctive and demonstrably outstanding. It represents a superior mastery of course material and is a grade that demands a very high degree of understanding as well as originality or creativity as appropriate to the nature of the course. The grade indicates that the student works independently with unusual effectiveness and often takes the initiative in seeking new knowledge outside the formal confines of the course.”
Disabilities:	Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations are encouraged to discuss options with us after class or during my office hours during the first two weeks of class. More information about documenting or addressing learning disabilities is available from Nancy Mott, Director of the Office of Learning Services (tel. x9-5636 or e-mail nancy.mott@villanova.edu) or from that office’s web site.
Campus Services:	Villanova Writing Center in Old Falvey: 610.519.4604 Consultations should be arranged by appointment. Please be advised: the Writing Center staff recommends setting appointments several weeks in advance.
	Villanova Counseling Center in Corr Hall: 610.519.4050 The Counseling Center is managed by caring and committed individuals who can help you make an adjustment in your study habits, deal with a crisis, or establish a long-term relationship to address an ongoing matter.
Class Schedule
Read all assignments before the class for which they are scheduled. Please note: I may occasionally adjust the readings on this schedule. These changes will be announced in class and posted on the online version of the syllabus.
Tue., Jan. 15	Introduction
Thu., Jan. 17	Thinking about Historiography Reading: Georg Iggers, Historiography in the 20th century: From Scientific Objectivity to the Postmodern Challenge, introduction and chapter 9
Tue., Jan. 22	No class Reading: Rampallo, chapters 1, 5
	DUE: You must meet with me to discuss your possible topic (Sign up for a time in advance.).
Thu., Jan. 24	Topic Presentation and discussion
	DUE: Paper proposal (one page)
Tue., Jan. 29	Library Research Presentation (Ms. Jutta Seibert) NOTE: Class meets in Falvey Library Reading: Rampallo, chapter 2
Thu., Jan. 31	Constructing and Deciphering Bibliographies Reading: Adam Jones, “Drink Deep, or Taste Not: Thoughts on the Use of Early European Records in the Study of African Material Culture”
Tue., Feb. 5	Everyday Practices Reading: Alf Lüdtke, “Cash, Coffee-Breaks, Horseplay” [electronic reserve]
Thu., Feb. 7	Things and History Reading: Burghard Ciesla and Patrice Poutrus, “Food Supply in a Planned Economy” [electronic reserve]
	DUE: Preliminary Bibliography (at least 10 secondary sources, including books and articles from historical journals; list following Chicago Manual of Style).
Tue., Feb. 12	No Class
Thu., Feb. 14	Reading a Monograph I Assignment: Bring to class one book from your bibliography (that you have read through) and a published review of the same book. Be prepared to discuss and assess the reviewer’s argument about the book.
Tue., Feb. 19	No Class
Thu., Feb. 21	Reading a Monograph II Reading: Roche (entire book)
Tue., Feb. 26	Primary Sources I
Thu., Feb. 28	Primary Sources II
March 3-7	SPRING BREAK
Tue., Mar. 11	Progress Reports
	DUE: Expanded proposal and Annotated Bibliography
Thu., Mar. 13	No Class
	DUE: You must meet with me to discuss your progress.
Tue., Mar. 18	Framing an Argument: Chronology, Geography, Actors Reading: Paul Betts, “The Twilight of the Idols: East German Memory and Material Culture”
Thu., Mar. 20	No Class—Easter Recess
Tue., Mar. 25	Citation and Documentation I Reading: Rampallo, chapters 6-7
Thu., Mar. 27	Citation and Documentation II: Going back to your sources
Tue., Apr. 1	No Class
Thu., Apr. 3	No Class (Note change!)
	DUE: First Draft (via WebCT at 10pm)
Tue., Apr. 8	Critiquing, Editing Rewriting (Note change!)
Thu., Apr. 10	Peer reviews and progress reports
	DUE: Peer Review
Tue., Apr. 15	No Class
Thu., Apr. 17	No Class
Tue., Apr. 22	No Class
	DUE: (5 pm, SAC 403): Final Draft
Thu., Apr. 24	Final Presentations
Tue. Apr. 29	NO CLASS—Friday classes meet
Thu. May 1	Final Presentations