HIST 300: Introduction to Historical Method

HIST 300-001: Postwar America
(Spring 2015)

01:30 PM to 04:10 PM R

Planetary Hall 122

Section Information for Spring 2015

This course uses the broad topic of postwar America (1945-1968) to introduce History majors to the methodology of researching, interpreting, and writing history.  History 300 is a skills-based course in which History majors learn the process of writing an original research paper based on primary sources that they find and analyze themselves. The class is an opportunity to dig deeply into both the theory and practice of historical scholarship. The main goal of the course is to lay a foundation in research and writing skills, as well as in understanding history as a discipline, that History majors can draw on as they take their upper-level coursework and eventually the capstone course, History 499.  Through individual research projects of their choosing on postwar American history, students will learn how to develop research questions, find and analyze both primary and secondary sources, organize their analyses into arguments that are supported by evidence, and present those arguments effectively in both written and oral forms.  Students will also learn the professional ethics of the discipline of history and proper citation of primary and secondary sources.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Introduces research skills and methods, as well as historical interpretation, culminating in written and oral presentations. Notes: Topics vary according to instructor. History majors strongly urged to take HIST 300 as soon as possible after reaching 30 credits. Grade of C or better is required to graduate with BA in history. Students may repeat HIST 300 only with permission from the Department of History and Art History and repetitions are limited. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Synthesis
Specialized Designation: Mason Impact., Topic Varies, Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: History majors with 30 credits or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in History.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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