HIST 300: Introduction to Historical Method

HIST 300-DL1: Historical Rumors, Myths, and Memes
(Spring 2022)

10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR

Online

Section Information for Spring 2022

In the era of viral memes, alternative facts, deep fakes, and fake news, it is hard to know what’s real let alone what’s true. Historians are voracious consumers of information who sift, sort, categorize, and mobilize data points to make effective arguments about the past, arguments that often contextualize and influence understanding of the present. The skills we acquire as historians can be helpful in sorting fact from fiction online, and sorting fact from fiction online can make us better historians. To that end, this iteration of Introduction to Historical Methods will teach the basics of historical research and writing by examining historical rumors, myths, and memes that appear on the Internet. We will identify and unpack the mobilization of historical content online and in the news, strategize how to fact-check it, and learn to contextualize and interpret it. Skills developed in the course include basic research methods, analyzing sources, interpreting and contextualizing historical arguments and documents, framing questions, critical thinking, historical writing and citation, editing and revising written work, being an effective discussant, and preparing and delivering an oral presentation with slides.

HIST 300 DL1 is a distance education section.

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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.

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.