HIST 499: RS: Senior Seminar in History

HIST 499-007: Salem Witch Trials
(Fall 2010)

01:30 PM to 04:15 PM M

Section Information for Fall 2010

This seminar will focus on the Salem witch trials of 1692 as the topic of research papers to be completed during the semester. The course will emphasize how to select research topics as well as historical research and writing. The goal is to produce a polished piece of scholarship (ca. 20-25 pp.) that serves as a capstone of what you have learned as a history major. Students will become familiar with the principal secondary accounts of the trials, and we shall be reading works by John Demos, Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, Mary Beth Norton, and Carol Karlsen to demonstrate some of the very different approaches historians have taken to the subject. Students will also become familiar with the the primary sources for the period, many conveniently located on line at . Students who have not taken either HIST 306, The Reformation, or HIST 401, Colonial America, or indeed anyone who does not have much background for this course, should contact Dr. Holt prior to the start of the semester for some background reading.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Research on specialized historical topic culminating in seminar paper and oral presentation. Synthesis course; students expected to integrate knowledge and skills acquired in Mason Core courses. Notes: Subject determined by instructor. Student may present no more than 3 credits for graduation credit. Must receive passing grade to graduate with BA in history. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Synthesis
Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive, Topic Varies, Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: History majors with 90 credits
Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: (HIST 300C or 300XS) and (ENGH 302C, ENGL 302C, ENGH 302XS, HNRS 110C, 110XS, 210C, 302C or 302XS).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in History.

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

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.