| UCSB Hist 133P, Winter 1999 Proseminar in German History Girvetz 1106, Thursdays, 2-5 http://marcuse.faculty.history.ucsb.edu/133p |
Prof. Marcuse HSSB 4221, Tel. 893-2635 Office hours:Tues. 1-2, Wed. 11-12 marcuse@ |
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This seminar offers undergraduate history majors the opportunity to practice
the craft of the historian: conducting original research and presenting the
results orally and in writing. The course is designed to help students to select
a topic of their interest within the broader theme of the course, and to formulate
a working hypothesis about that topic. We then turn to research methods: how
to find primary and secondary material, and how to analyze, interpret and organize
our findings. Finally, the seminar provides a forum for the written and oral
presentation of the results.
Knowledge of German is not required. However, as far as possible these projects
should draw on original source material (e.g. diaries, letters, speeches, contemporary
diplomatic and journalistic reports, memoirs, autobiographies, etc.).
REQUIREMENTS
GRADING:
Exercise 1 (list of research topics): 5%
Exercise 2 (prospectus and library worksheet): 5%
Exercise 3 (10 index cards): 5%
Exercise 4 (outline, 12 book & 10 keyword cards): 10%
Timely submission of 5 pp.+outline+bibliography: 5%
Timely submission of 15 text pages: 5%
Peer review: 10%
Thesis paper and oral presentation: 5%
Final Paper: 50%
REQUIRED BOOKS
Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History
(Boston: Bedford, 1998). Diana Hacker, A Pocket Style Manual (Boston: Bedford,
1996).
This booklet gives advice about how one can research, organize and write a history
research paper. It includes examples of how to cite primary and secondary sources.
If you followed all of the guidelines in this book, I would have 75% less work
to do.
1. JAN. 7: INTRODUCTION.
Review course syllabus, introductions, discussion of possible paper topics.
FOR NEXT WEEK (EXERCISE 1): Read Pocket Guide, 1-18, 21-28.
Make a list of at least 3-4 research topics which would interest you. Give a
brief description of each, including questions you might investigate. You will
be asked to present one of these topics to the seminar.
Typed descriptions are due Wed., Jan. 13, by 4pm in my office envelope.
2. JAN. 14: FINDING TOPICS / FINDING BOOKS
Presentations and discussion of possible topics
Library visit ("electronic classroom," 1414C Library): searching the
databases
FOR NEXT WEEK (EXERCISE 2): For the research topic which interests you
most (which need not have been on last week's list), prepare a 1-2 page prospectus
including a title, a statement of main questions and hypotheses, and a one page
bibliography of at least 10 primary sources, books and articles.
Also complete the library worksheet: make a list of three key words or key word
combinations. Search each of PEGASUS, MELVYL, and MAGS: 1) for the key or title
words in your list; 2) for the subject tracers of books you found in 1; and
3) for the authors of the most promising works retrieved in 1 and 2. Finally,
group the relevant call numbers and do an "unsystematic search" in
the stacks. If you can, also print out some of the citations you found, or e-mail
them to yourself and print them out. Both due Jan. 20, 4pm.
3. JAN. 21: EVALUATING, READING & EXCERPTING BOOKS AND SOURCES.
Presentations of topics with discussion of library search results
One research method: index card systems
Interpreting primary sources
FOR NEXT WEEK (EXERCISE 3): Read Pocket Guide, 28-41.
For one of the most relevant books or articles you have found, make a set of
index cards. These should include 1) one primary bibliography card, 2) at least
two secondary bibliography cards, and 3) at least 7 keyword cards.
Ten cards due Jan. 27, 4pm. Bring the book (or article) you used to class.
4. JAN. 28: GATHERING AND ORGANIZING INFORMATION.
Discussion of note taking and index cards, proper citation format
Practice constructing sample outlines (research vs. presentation)
Schedule individual meetings
FOR NEXT WEEK (EXERCISE 4): Draw up a tentative but detailed outline
for your paper, and compile an ANNOTATED (index card) bibliography of
at least 12 books and articles about your topic. Prepare at least 10 outline-based
keyword cards from some of those books. Refer to Pocket Guide, 47-74
for the proper citation format.
Outline and 22 index cards due Feb. 3, 4pm.
5. FEB. 4: MANDATORY INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS WITH THE PROFESSOR (NO CLASS MEETING)
FOR NEXT WEEK: research, research, research!
6. FEB. 11: WRITING BREAK, NO CLASS MEETING. (Meetings with the professor
as needed.)
Write, write, write!
FOR NEXT WEEK: Read Pocket Guide, 41-50.
Write at least the first five pages of your paper, and update your outline.
5 pages plus outline plus typed bibliography due Feb. 17, 4pm.
Come to class prepared to discuss difficulties you encountered and problems
you are having. (Success stories are also welcome!)
7. FEB. 18: PROGRESS REPORTS
Presentation of results to date
Peer reviewing
Quoting and footnoting
FOR NEXT WEEK:Read Pocket Guide, 47-74. Write the next 10 pages
of your paper.
15 pages plus outline and bibliography due Monday, Feb. 24, 4pm, both
in my office, and in the hands of your peer reviewer.
8. FEB. 25: PREPARING ORAL PRESENTATIONS AND THESIS PAPERS
Progress reports
Return reviewed papers
Schedule oral presentations and meetings with the professor (group 1)
FOR NEXT WEEK: First set of complete drafts due on Mar. 3, 12 noon,
to your peer reviewer only. Draft thesis papers due at meeting with the professor.
Peer reviews of group 1 drafts: 2 copies due Mar. 3, 4pm.
9. MAR. 4: ORAL PRESENTATIONS.
Schedule oral presentations and meetings with the professor (group 2)
FOR NEXT WEEK: Second group of complete drafts due on Mar. 10, 12
noon, to peer reviewers only. Second group: Draft thesis papers due at meeting
with the professor.
Peer reviews due to your peer and in my office on Friday, Mar. 14, 2pm.
10. MAR. 11: ORAL PRESENTATIONS.
11. MAR. 18: FINAL DRAFTS DUE. (Earlier submissions are welcome.)