Critical Social Inquiry 0216 - Historical Research Methods

This course is designed for Div II students who wish to use historical methods in their work, and who may be considering historical topics or approaches for their Div III. We will cover the nuts and bolts of primary source and archival research, and we will explore the practices and theories that historians use to produce new knowledge and expand our interpretive frameworks. We will survey a range of topics and methods, including transnational, immigration/migration, race and ethnicity, environmental, cultural, and legal histories. Readings will balance theory with case studies, and we will host visits from other Hampshire historians to speak about their own work. In the second half of the course we will workshop your independent historical research projects. We will visit archives in the area. You will have the opportunity to produce a substantial research paper for your Div. II portfolio.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.