History 498 - History Thesis Seminar
This course is intended to provide history thesis writers with a grounding in the methodologies and skills for advanced historical research. A primary aim is to provide an intellectual community and structure for students undertaking an honors thesis or independent research project. Students will complete and discuss guided readings, refine their research questions, develop literature reviews related to their topics, identify and analyze primary sources for their projects, and draft and revise at least one chapter of their theses or equivalent projects. Students will engage in a collaborative learning process by undertaking peer review and revision exercises, and will discuss strategies for developing individual writing and research practices. Students will also explore effective strategies for managing sources and evidence, developing reasonable schedules and goals in balance with other academic and personal demands, and designing metrics for assessing their progress. An additional central objective of this course is to build an inclusive, intellectual community among History students in order to support rigorous independent historical inquiry. Culminating in one or more pieces of historical writing which may be submitted to the Department for a degree with Honors, this course is required for all History majors intending to write an honors thesis.
Fall semester. Under exceptional circumstances, students may petition to complete this course as an independent study, pending approval of their thesis advisor and the department. Professor Gordon.
How to handle overenrollment:
Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Independent research, including the framing of a research question, identification and analysis of relevant primary and secondary sources; collaborative work, including offering critical feedback and peer review; and writing a thesis chapter or work of equivalent length.