HST 390: Syllabus

Prof. F. Thornton Miller

Email: ftm922f@missouristate.edu
Office: 417, Strong Hall
Hours: 8:30-11:30 W; 3:00-5:00 F    
  

Course Objective*

This course is a history of history; a study of the methods historians use in their research and writing; and a study of how historians disagree in interpreting the past.
(M 1.2.1, 1.2.7; CF 2, 4, 8, 9; SA 1, 3, 8; N 1, 2)

* NOTE: M = MOSTEP; CF = Conceptual Framework; SA = Specialty Area; N = NCSS + the number of the indicator.

Required Texts

Tosh, The Pursuit of History
Madaras and SoRelle, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial issues in American History, Vol. 1, 11th ed.
Slaughter, The Whiskey Rebellion
Essays on the American Revolution available on the internet

% Breakdown of the Course

Course Policies

Students are required to have an Missouri State email account.
Students using English as a second language should see me to discuss accommodations.
Makeup exams are allowed and are given toward the end of the term. A student who needs to take a makeup should see the instructor about setting up a time for the exam.
For the course grade, you must have at least a 90% average for an A, 80% for a B, 70% for a C, and 60% for a D.
Academic Dishonesty. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, which can be found at http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html (also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library).
Disability accommodation. To request accommodations for disability, students must contact Disability Services (http://www.missouristate.edu/disability), Plaster Student Union Suite 405, (417) 836-4192; TTY (417) 836-6792.  Students must provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations.
Missouri State Office of Academic Affairs Policy on Use of Cell Phones in Classes: As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of Academic Affairs prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent mode and cannot be taken out during class. At the discretion of the instructor, exception to this policy is possible in special circumstances. Sanctions for violation of this policy are determined by the instructor and may include dismissal from the class – see Class Disruption (http://www.missouristate.edu/recreg/classdis.html). In testing situations, use of cell phones or similar communication devices may lead also to a charge of academic dishonesty and additional sanctions under the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures (http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html). There are two appeal processes available to students. A sanction for class disruption may be appealed using the appeal process stated in the Class Disruption policy; however, a violation that involves a charge of academic dishonesty must be appealed using the process described in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures. Students have the right to continue attending class while an appeal is in progress.
Nondiscrimination. Missouri State policy on nondiscrimination: http://www.missouristate.edu/eoaa.htm.
Class drop policy. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated.  To drop a class anytime after the first week, you must turn in a drop slip at an authorized registration center (see 2002/2003 Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog, pp. 51-52; http://www.missouristate.edu/recreg/chnsched.html).  You do not need to obtain any signatures on the drop slip.

 Lecture and Discussion Topics

 I: Introduction

A: What is history?
B: Use and Abuse of History

Tosh, The Pursuit of History, chapters 1 and 2

II:  Sources, Research, and Historical Writing

Tosh, The Pursuit of History, chapters 3-4 and 6

III: History of History

On Marxist history, see Tosh, The Pursuit of History, chapter 8

On Postmodernism, see Tosh, The Pursuit of History, chapter 7

IV: Fields and Specialization

Tosh, The Pursuit of History, chapters 5 and 9-11

V: Exercise in Criticism

Slaughter, The Whiskey Rebellion

VI: Interpretation--How Historians Disagree

Madaras and SoRelle, Taking Sides, Issues 2-5

VII: Problems of History, an example: Was there an American Revolution?

Selections in Madaras and SoRelle, Taking Sides, Issue 6

Essays on the American Revolution available on the internet

VIII: Interpretation--How Historians Disagree (continued)

Madaras and SoRelle, Taking Sides, Issues 7-18

Exams

The exams will consist of essay questions. In preparing for the exams, you are responsible for all lecture notes and class discussions.
There will be an essay on the readings on the American Revolution on how historians have differed in answering the question, was there an American Revolution, and, if so, how revolutionary was it.
You will be graded on organization and clarity as well as accuracy of information. You should be comprehensive in discussing all significant points and give examples to support your statements.
There will be a review before each exam.
Bring examination ("blue") books for the exams.

Secondary Source Essay

The main purpose of this assignment is to be critical of a historical secondary source. Write an essay on Slaughter, The Whiskey Rebellion. See the Assignments page for more information.

Primary Source Essay

The main purpose of this assignment is to be critical of a historical primary source. Write an essay on Henry R. Schoolcraft's Journal of a Tour into the Interior of Missouri and Arkansaw ... in the Years 1818 and 1819. The source is available on the Documents page. See the Assignments page for more information.

You are expected to participate especially in the parts of the course dealing with  examples of how historians differ in interpreting the past. We will discuss essays on the American Revolution and debate the questions raised in Madaras and SoRelle, Taking Sides. Participation is 10% of the course grade.

Good attendance (1 absence that has not been excused) is expected, it is essential for taking good notes, and it will aid you if you have a borderline grade, and have completed all of the required assignments. (Note that if tardy, you should see me after class to make sure you have not been counted absent.)

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