HIST 387: THE PRACTICE AND THEORY OF HISTORY
Instructor: Bruce Kinzer Office Hours: Mon. & Wed.
9:30-Noon; Thurs. 9:30-11:00
Office: Seitz 3 Office Phone: 5318 Home Phone: 393-0341
History
majors need to understand the nature of historical inquiry. Instrumental to that understanding is a firm
grasp of the methods essential to the study and writing of history. This course will focus on the ways historians
think about history and the modes they employ in the doing of history. We will consider the meaning of historical
questions; explore issues related to historical consciousness and problems
intrinsic to the philosophy of history; engage in the classification of
sources, the evaluation of evidence, and the analysis of argument. While grappling with problems of theory
throughout the course, students will also be investigating their own research
topic, chosen in consultation with the instructor. The topic selected must be one for which both
primary and secondary sources are readily accessible. By September 29 each student will submit a
250-word statement explaining the nature and scope of the subject and the
central question the research intends to address. Accompanying this proposal will be a
preliminary annotated bibliography. The
first draft of this essay will be due on November 10, and its final version on
December 13.
Final
Version of Research Paper (3500 words; due Dec. 13 ) 30%
Four
Document Interpretation Papers (750 words each) 20%
The
instructor takes it for granted that all assignments will be submitted on
time. Students should take it for granted
that grades for participation will be adversely affected by anything less than
a stellar record of attendance.
Any
student with a disability bearing upon the carrying out of assigned work should
contact the Office of Disability Services at Ex. 5453. The Coordinator of Disability Services is
Erin Salva (salvae@kenyon.edu). She will review your concerns in order to
determine what accommodations are appropriate.
All information and documentation of disability remain confidential.
Richard
Evans, Lying About Hitler
Alan
B. Spitzer, Historical Truths and Lies About the Past
William
K. Storey, Writing History
John
Tosh, The Pursuit of History
Kate
L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations
Jon
Wiener, Historians in Trouble
August
30: Introduction to Course
Sept
1: Storey,
Chapter 1; Tosh, pp. ix-xxii
Sept.
6: Tosh, Chapters 1-2
Sept.
8: Tosh, Chapter 3
Sept.
13: Tosh, Chapter 4; Storey,
Chapter 2; Sample Document Analysis
Sept.
15: Tosh, Chapter 5; Storey,
Chapter 3; Sample Document Analysis
Sept.
22: Tosh, Chapter 7
Sept.
27: Tosh, Chapters 8-9
Sept.
29: Research Proposals and
Bibliographies Due—Discussion of Proposals
Oct.
4: Tosh,
Chapters 10-11 and Conclusion; Second Document Paper Due
Oct.
6: Wiener, Introduction and
Part I
Oct.
13: Wiener, Part II; Storey,
Chapters 5-6
Oct.
18: Wiener, pp. 168-214;
Storey, Chapter 7; Third Document Paper Due
Oct.
20: Spitzer, Introduction and
Chapter 1; Storey, Chapter 8
Oct.
25: Spitzer, Chapter 2; Storey,
Chapter 9
Oct.
27: Spitzer, Chapter 3
Nov.
1: Spitzer, Chapter 4 and Conclusion;
Fourth Document Paper Due
Nov.
3: Evans, Preface and Chapter 1; Storey,
Chapter 10
Nov.
8: Evans, Chapter 2
Nov.
10: First Draft of Research
Essay Due; Students Report on Their Research Experience
Nov.
15: Evans, Chapter 3
Nov.
17: Evans, Chapter 4
Nov.
29: Evans, Chapter 5
Dec.
1: Evans,
Chapter 6
Dec.
6 : Evans,
Chapter 7
Dec.
8: Students
Report on the Experience of Revision and Expansion of Research Essay
Dec.
13: Students Report on the
Experience of Revision and Expansion of Research Essay;
Final Version of
Research Essay Due