HISTORY 398: HISTORIANS AND HISTORY
Spring 2006
History 398
W 1:30-4:00
Dr. Nathan Brooks
Office: 240 Breland
Telephone: 646-1824
Office Hours: T: 4:00-6:00
W: 4:00-6:00; and by appointment
e-mail: nbrooks@nmsu.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVES: History 398 is a majors-only course which is intended to introduce the students to the craft of history. This particular section of History 398 will focus on the history of New Mexico and the Southwest during the past few decades – from the 1950s to the present. The main objective for the course will be writing a paper based on original research using primary sources. In addition, the students will learn about historiography and the different ways history is done. This course is intended to prepare students for conducting research and writing papers for upper division courses in history.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1). RESEARCH PAPER: The papers for this course will be at least 25 but not more than 35 pages in length (typed on a word processor, double-spaced, one inch margins all around, font size no larger than 12). The papers will be evaluated based on the quality of writing, use of appropriate mechanics (i.e., spelling, grammar, bibliography, notes, etc.), adequacy and use of sources, critical analysis, etc. The papers should be prepared using the Chicago style (see Rampolla for details). Please put the footnotes at the bottom of the page! No late papers (both first and final drafts) will be accepted without prior approval of the instructor. Since it is very easy to procrastinate, students will be asked to submit components of the final paper in order to monitor progress during the semester. A first draft will be required as well as a final draft. A substantial portion of your grade for the course will depend upon the first draft. Therefore, it is essential that you make every effort to write as polished paper as possible for the first draft. In addition, the final draft should do more than simply incorporate the suggestions of the instructor. Along with the final version of the paper, you will need to submit a one-page statement discussing the revisions you made for the final version. Also, the bibliography in the final version needs to be annotated, discussing the use of the sources in your paper. Finally, you will be required to submit your notes and other materials along with the final version of your paper. The number of sources used for the paper will depend upon the topic. However, no sources from the web will be allowed without the consent of the instructor. While it is encouraged to use the internet for locating sources, the internet should not be used for primary or secondary sources, except in extraordinary circumstances. If students have trouble locating a sufficient number of secondary or primary sources, please see the instructor. However, please be advised that it will require a substantial amount of work and effort to locate these primary and secondary sources. This research will likely require using interlibrary loan resources, so it is essential to start early. In addition, selecting an appropriate topic will be vital to the success of your paper. The instructor will offer guidance and suggestions, but in the end it will be your choice. If you decide to reject the suggestions of the instructor and then are unable to find sufficient primary and secondary sources, your grade will suffer accordingly.
2). ORAL HISTORY COMPONENT: Each research paper will be required to contain a substantial component based on oral history. The methodology of oral history will be discussed in class.
3). CLASS PARTICIPATION, ATTENDANCE, AND PROGRESS REPORTS: It is very important that each student attend every class that is scheduled and participate actively in the discussion of the material. For each class missed without an approved excuse, 50 points will be deducted. In addition, students will be administratively dropped from the course if they miss any of the first five classes, unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor!
The progress reports are intended to give the instructor an idea of how you are dealing with your subject. Usually, they are oral presentations in class, but the instructor reserves the right to request short written reports.
4). PRESENTATIONS: Near the end of the semester, each student will present the results of his or her research to an audience of other students, faculty members, and possibly members of the community. Further information about these presentations will be discussed in class.
No extra credit work will be accepted.
ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: Cheating in all forms is prohibited in this course. Students must be especially aware of plagiarism on written work. Use your own words! If there are any questions concerning the use of sources, please contact the instructor or the graduate assistant. Cheating on tests also is prohibited. You will fail this course if you are caught cheating!
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have or believe you have a disability and would benefit from any accommodations, you may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office located in 244 Corbett Center (phone: 646-6840). If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes. It is your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative in a timely manner if services/accommodations provided are not meeting your needs.
If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the instructor and/or Mr. Michael Armendariz, SSD Coordinator. Feel free to call Mr. Paul Gayle-Smiths (EEO/ADA and Employee Relations Director) at 646-3333 with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be treated confidentially.
GRADING:
paper -- first draft 350 points
paper -- final draft 350 points
paper components and other exercises 100 points
class participation, progress reports 100 points
presentations 100 points
total 1000 points
Research proposal = minimum 1 page, typed double-spaced.
Sample footnotes and bibliography = minimum 1 page, typed double-spaced
Outline of paper = minimum 1 page, typed double-spaced
EVALUATION STANDARDS FOR RESEARCH PAPER:
1. Content and Organization
2. Quality of Prose
3. Adequacy and Style of Documentation
4. Analysis and Interpretation
5. Oral History Component
6. Care and Accuracy of Preparation
REQUIRED COURSE READINGS:
Mark T. Gilderhus, History and Historians: A Historiographical Introduction. Fifth Edition (2003).
Judith DeMark, Essays in Twentieth-Century New Mexico History.
Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History. Fourth Edition (2004).
William Kelleher Storey, Writing History. A Guide for Students. Second Edition (2004).
Oral History Instruction Manual: http://web. nmsu.edu/~pubhist/ohindex.html
SCHEDULE OF CLASS TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
This schedule is subject to change. All such changes will be announced in class. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of any changes if he or she is absent from class.
WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION
January 25 WHAT IS HISTORY 398?
WEEK 2 LIBRARY ORIENTATION (MEET IN ZUHL
Feb. 1 LIBRARY, ELECTRONIC CLASSROOM)
assignment: read DeMark, pp. 1-61
Storey, chap. 1
WEEK 3 LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES RESOURCES FOR NEW
Feb. 8 MEXICO HISTORY (MEET AT ARCHIVE CLASSROOM
BRANSON LIBRARY, SECOND FLOOR)
assignment: read DeMark, pp. 63-118
Gilderhus, chap. 1
WEEK 4 INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEXICO HISTORY
Feb. 15 assignment: read DeMark, pp. 119-240
WEEK 5 INTRODUCTION TO ORAL HISTORY
Feb. 22 PROGRESS REPORT
assignment: read Oral History Instruction Manual
DUE: research proposal
WEEK 6 MECHANICS OF THE PAPER: FOOTNOTES AND
March 1 BIBLIOGRAPHY
assignment: read Gilderhus, chap. 6
look over Rampolla and Storey
WEEK 7 ORAL HISTORY PROBLEM SOLVING
March 8 assignment: read Gilderhus, chap. 2 and 3
DUE: sample footnotes and bibliography
WEEK 8 HISTORIOGRAPHY
March 15 PROGRESS REPORT
DUE: outline of paper
SPRING BREAK
WEEK 9 PROGRESS REPORT
March 29
FIRST DRAFT OF PAPER DUE AT 5:00 ON MARCH 29
HISTORY DEPT. OFFICE – BRELAND 239
SIGN UP FOR INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS!
WEEK 10 INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS
April 5 NO CLASS
WEEK 11 INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS
April 12 NO CLASS
WEEK 12 HISTORIOGRAPHY
April 19 assignment: read Gilderhus, chap. 4, 5
WEEK 13 HISTORIOGRAPHY
April 26 assignment: read Gilderhus, chap. 7, postscript
WEEK 14 CLASS PRESENTATIONS
May 3
WEEK 15 CLASS PRESENTATIONS
May 10
FINAL DRAFT OF PAPER DUE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 AT 5:00 PM