HISTORY 702

Research Seminar

Allan M. Winkler

Spring Term 2005

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is dedicated to the writing of history. Each one of you will research a topic of your own choosing (that may well feed into your M.A. thesis) and work through all the stages of writing -- from an outline to a first paragraph and then to a final draft. We will be presenting work to one another in class, with a chance for each of us to edit and make suggestions for improvement before we meet together. The ultimate hope is that each of you will produce a piece of work that is of publishable quality of about 20 pages that can be published.

Half of your grade will be based on your final paper. The other half will be based on the rest of the work during the term and on your participation in the sessions of the seminar. Attendance is mandatory.

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS

JANUARY 10 - Introduction to the course

JANUARY 17 - No Class -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

• We will find another time to meet this week.
• Reading: "Tell Me What You See" by John Mack Faragher. The Faragher Essay is available at: http://www.common-place.org/vol-01/no-03/school/
• Reading: Allan Winkler prospectus for FDR book
• Discussion of Faragher article, the writing of history, and the drafting of a prospectus

JANUARY 24 - Announcement of Topics

• Each one of you will be expected to announce to the group the topic you have chosen to work on and provide a 5-minute introduction to your project.

JANUARY 31 - Presentation of Topics

• Half of the members of the class will present a 15-20 minute description of the issues you hope to deal with in your paper.
• Written Assignment: A 2-page prospectus for your paper that includes the questions you will ask, the place of your topic in the larger historical literature, and some of the key works you will consult. Prepare this and distribute to the rest of the group prior to class.

FEBRUARY 7- Presentation of Topics

• Half of the members of the class will present a 15-20 minute description of the issues you hope to deal with in your paper.
• Written Assignment: A 2-page prospectus for your paper that includes the questions you will ask, the place of your topic in the larger historical literature, and some of the key works you will consult

FEBRUARY 14 - No Class

• See me individually as you work on your research

FEBRUARY 21 - No Class

• See me individually as you work on your research

FEBRUARY 28 - No Class

• See me individually as you work on your research

MARCH 7- Presentation of Outlines and First Paragraphs

• Written Assignment: A 2-page outline that includes a first paragraph of no more than half a page. Prepare this and distribute to the rest of the group prior to class.

MARCH 14 - No Class -- Spring Break

MARCH 21 - Presentation of First Drafts

• One quarter of the members of the class will present a first draft of your work. This should be as polished as you can make it, and should be fully-noted (end notes are fine). The draft whould be duplicated so that each member of the class has a copy, and should be available in the History Office by the Wednesday before class.
• Written Assignment: 20 page draft of your paper for those presenting it

MARCH 28 - Presentation of First Drafts

• One quarter of the members of the class will present a first draft of your work. This should be as polished as you can make it, and should be fully-noted (end notes are fine). The draft whould be duplicated so that each member of the class has a copy, and should be available in the History Office by the Wednesday before class.
• Written Assignment: 20 page draft of your paper for those presenting it

APRIL 4 - Presentation of First Drafts

• One quarter of the members of the class will present a first draft of your work. This should be as polished as you can make it, and should be fully-noted (end notes are fine). The draft whould be duplicated so that each member of the class has a copy, and should be available in the History Office by the Wednesday before class.
• Written Assignment: 20 page draft of your paper for those presenting it

APRIL 11 - Presentation of First Drafts

• One quarter of the members of the class will present a first draft of your work. This should be as polished as you can make it, and should be fully-noted (end notes are fine). The draft whould be duplicated so that each member of the class has a copy, and should be available in the History Office by the Wednesday before class.
• Written Assignment: 20 page draft of your paper for those presenting it

APRIL 18 - No Class

• See me individually as you revise your draft and polish your final paper

APRIL 25 - Final Drafts of Papers Due

Allan M. Winkler
Department of History
Miami University
Last updated: January 1, 2005
URL: http://www.users.muohio.edu/winkleam/hst702.htm