Research Paper: Final Copy Due April 21 (last day of class). Students will complete a research paper (20-30 pages) as a piece of historical research, for which topic-options and format are noted in the section, "Paper Requirements"-link. Over the course of the term, students will submit to the instructor a thesis statement, outline and two drafts of the bibliography of their papers on dates noted in the "Reading Assignments"-schedule. On the last class day of the term, they must submit the final and completed version of the paper. Completion of the research paper is an absolute requirement to pass this course. No exceptions or extensions can be made.
Oral Reports on Research Paper: Toward the middle of the term, as students are completing first drafts of their papers, they must give an informal talk to the class on their topic, including their research efforts, strategies, preliminary findings, and where they think they are heading with the paper, in order to generate a discussion on the subject. At the end of the term, students will present a formal presentation on the final copy of their paper. Here they do not actually read the paper to the seminar. Copies of the paper should be distributed to the class for reading ahead of time, and each student will then summarize the main points and lead a class discussion on the content and method of their topic.
Book Review/Criticism Papers. Students are requires to complete six (6) book reviews or criticism papers (2-3 pages each, single spaced) on selected secondary sources from the course textbook list (see "Required Texts"-link). These exercises in textual criticism should include a general discussion of the content and methodology of the book and a critique of the overall findings. Reviews are required only for those books in the list designated "Requires Book Review." Book reviews can be submitted in paper format or electronically via e-mail. They are due the evening in which they are scheduled for class discussion.
Text Discussion Leaders: The professor will formulate specific discussion topics for the seminar, and he will assign readings to facilitate these discussions. For each topical unit, one student will serve as leader of the discussion. Topics are based around each of the required secondary sources (see "Required Texts"-link). The list of topics and units is found in the "Reading Assignments"--link. Students can volunteer as leaders for the topics of their choice, or else they will be assigned by the professor.
Examinations: No examinations or quizzes are given in this seminar.
Reading-Assignment Schedule: See "Reading Assignments"-link for the schedule of assigned readings, presentations, and other important dates.
Participation: Discussion figures very prominently in the seminar program, and class participation constitutes a significant percentage of the course grade. All students are expected to contribute actively to all discussions. Any who consistently slack in this area will be contacted by the instructor.
Late papers will be penalized five (5) points for each day late (including Saturdays), up to three days, after which they automatically receive a grade of "F", and will be graded no higher than 59%. Failure to submit a paper entirely will result in an automatic failure in the course, regardless of the student's grade standing. All papers must be submitted in person to the instructor; failing that, they may be submitted to the History Department (Maybank 203), where the departmental administrators will certify and date-stamp their arrival.