Historiography This syllabus is complete for the term specified. This course is the second in a series of three in which students develop a topic, research, write, and present a major research paper involving significant use of primary sources. The paper and its presentation are the capstone experience of the History and Broad Field Social Studies majors. History 379 involves an exploration of modes of historical thinking and their relationship to the devilment of the senior paper. The principal task is the development of an essay dealing with secondary sources related to the topic identified in HS 279, emphasizing interpretation and questions likely to be addressed in the final version of the senior paper.
Students also continue to research their topics and report periodically on their progress.
The primary text is Jacques Barzun and Henry E., Graff, The Modern Researcher. Other materials will be distributed or made available on library reserve. Conducted as a seminar, the course meets eight times, approximately every other week. Meetings after the initial session are held in R217 and are supplemented with field trips to The Fond du Lac County Historical Society and to Madison's Wisconsin State Historical Society. Individual appointments to discuss student progress on research for the senior paper may also be desirable.