HIST 300: Introduction to Historical Method

HIST 300-007: In Search of Memory: African American Neighborhoods and Communities in Virginia
(Fall 2012)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M

Thompson Hall 2021

Section Information for Fall 2012

“Stories can save us. Stories can bind us, can break us upon, can make us human to each other. But there’s also the politics of storytelling. Who decides which stories are told, and which are buried?” –Valerie Kaur

Our goal is to examine historical and contemporary issues that shape the social and political fabric of African American neighborhoods and communities in Virginia. In this course, we will do this by listening to the voices and perspectives of people who have lived, experienced, and “made” this history firsthand. We will focus on the history of African American communities in Virginia from the end of Reconstruction to the contemporary era, focusing especially on the decades of legal segregation. We will critically assess, through oral history, readings, archival documents, and documentary films how major forces of social change—Jim Crow laws, migration, the Civil Rights Movement, urban renewal, etc.—have affected the struggle for dignity and rights in African American neighborhoods and communities. This course seeks to challenge college students to think about the relationships between community and history, and between past and present and between “race” and “place.” No matter what you already know about African American history and culture, or contemporary race relations, “In Search of Memory” will greatly expand your intellectual horizons.

This seminar will encourage students to develop a number of important skills. It combines assigned readings with intensive primary-source research but it is also an exercise in storytelling. African American Communities asks you to interpret your findings and translate your conclusions into a well-research final paper.

There are four primary requirements in the course. The class sessions will include a combination of seminar lectures, reading discussions, fieldwork, individual and group work sessions and reviews.

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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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