Perspectives on History, Spring, 2006

 

Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 8-9:20, Robeson 203

Professor Woll

awoll@camden or 225-6671

Student emails for this class 

Assigned books:

Benjamin, A Student’s Guide to History 

Miller, Donald, City of the Century, The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America

"Making Sense of Evidence"

Our archive for this course:  http://homicide.northwestern.edu/

Also of interest:  The Chicago Fire

January 17-19

(17)Introduction
 

Begin reading City of the Century

(19)  Studying Primary Sources: 

Go here, and do the student lesson

Do items 1-5 at the bottom of the page--You do not have to do the "Mindwalk" Activity unless you wish to


January 24-26

(24)  "Homicide in Chicago, 1870-1930"  Review web page before coming to class.

(26)  Letters and Diaries


January 31-Feb 2
(31)  "Getting Prepared:  How to Write a Research Paper"-- begin reading Benjamin, A Student's Guide to History,  Chs. 1-3.  Students will be assigned articles from the archive and be asked to find the thesis.  This 2-3 page written assignment will be discussed on the 2nd.

(2) 
Finding the thesis--assigned articles from archive.
Feb 7-9
(7)  Previous assignment continued


(9) Library Sessions – I

 Your research paper assignment for the course
Proposal due on February 21

Continue reading Benjamin, 4-6

February 14-16

(14) Library Session II--using the Internet

(16)  

American Popular Song

Oral History


Prepare bibliography (see assignment) for submission on February 28.  Follow the assignment carefully or you will be asked to rewrite your work.

Feb 21-23

(21)  Films

Proposal Due

(23)  Work on Bibliography/Individual appointments as needed

Feb 28-Mar 2

(28)  "Organizing the Paper"  (Tom Pignone)


Bibliography Due


(2)  Documentary Photography

Advertisements

Mar 7-9

(7)  Test #1:  Chicago History (based on City of the Century)

(9) Maps


Numbers  (This one is difficult--read for major points)


SPRING VACATION

Mar 21-23


(21)  Prepare for test by reviewing the articles we have read from "Making Sense of the Evidence"  No class today but I will be in my office to discuss papers, questions, etc.

(23)  Test #2:  Historical Reasoning

 

March 28-30

(28)  Outlines Due


(30)  "Preparing the Draft"


April 4-6

Indivdual Appointments with students.

April 11-13

(11)  If you would like me to evaluate a first draft of your work, hand it in on the morning of the 11th.  I will provide general suggestions which you can incorporate in your final version due on April 25.

For formatting suggestions, see Benjamin and web pages at the bottom of this sheet.

(13)  Individual Appointments

April 18-21

Individual Appointments

April 25-27 

 Papers due in class on the 25th

 

GRADES

1. Two tests:  March 7 and March 23--  100 points each

3. Class Participation (Quality)  100 Points

4. Final  Paper (April 25)   200 Points

Includes in total:

a.  Proposal (February 21)  (25 points on acceptance)

b.  Bibliography (February 28) (25 points)

c.  Outline  (March 28) (25 points)

d.  Footnote Format on Final Paper (25 points)

Each item (a-d) must be successfully completed to receive a grade on the paper (and, consequently, a grade in the course).  If an item is not completed successfully, a 'R' grade (rewrite) will be given until the task is completed.
 

5. Attendance and Preparation*  100 Points
 

*  For every three absences   -10
*  For every three late arrivals   - 5
*  Lack of preparation for class discussion  - 5
*  Work handed in late    -10   (for each 24 hours)
 
 

PERSPECTIVES ON HISTORY
THE WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY
 

A working bibliography is due in class on February 28.  This is designed to allow me to make suggestions on the progress of your work.

The working bibliography should be divided into four parts:

I.    Books that explore the context of the issue you are discussing. These books should have been published after 1990 and have been written by professional historians (at least 10)

II.   Journal articles that consider the topic you are discussing.  (10)

III.  Primary sources you will consult in the researching of your paper (10)

IV.  Other relevant Web sites (5)
 

Do not panic because of the numbers above!   This exercise is designed to help you begin your research.  You may not necessarily read --or even use--all the works cited.  Yet, consulting them will help you begin your research process.

For information on proper bibliographic form, consult Benjamin, A Student's Guide to History


You may also consult the following excellent website:

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite7.html

for guidance on Chicago footnote style, or:

http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/history/bibliography.html#21

This pages provides guidance for both footnote and bibliography syle.  Make sure you are using the correct one.  See "Directory to /Chicago/ notes and bibliography entries" (pick one to see its explanation).  Click on the drop down box, and it will find the appropriate format.