HIST4850

Students who have completed a substantial number of the courses required for the BA in history may enroll in this class, with departmental permission. 
They will develop awareness of  the methods of professional historians by carrying out a major research project.  In addition, they will acquire a more thorough and nuanced understanding of the course topic. The course will be conducted with a combination of lecture and seminar methods.

Senior Seminar

 

Jitterbug danders

"The 1940s"

 

 

Books: 

Required:
bulletTurabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, ISBN 0226816273
bulletStrunk & White, The Elements of Style, ISBN  020530902X
bulletMost  reading will be assigned in class. This will include short articles and two books related to your paper topic.  You will present at least one of the books in class meetings for discussion.
 

Helpful--or at least amusing:
bulletGordon, The Deluxe Transitive Vampire : A Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager and the Doomed, ISBN  0679418601 (Earlier editions will be acceptable.)
bullet__________, The New Well Tempered Sentence : A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed, ISBN 0618382011 (Earlier editions will be acceptable.)
 

Course Work:
bulletResearch and write a c. 20 page research paper, following the standards and practices of the professional historian. The paper will include primary source material in its references.
bulletPresent a brief version of this paper to the class.
bulletRead two books related to your research topic or to the course topic in general.
bulletPresent an oral report and lead a discussion on one of these.
bulletWrite a brief written review of both.
bulletAs needed, additional short term assignments may be introduced as exercises to improve skills.
bulletClass meetings will include lectures on the history of the topic for this semester; discussions of readings; instruction on research and writing; field trips to the library and to the Archives of the State of Georgia and the Southeast Branch of the National Archives.  
bulletResearch days: Some hours scheduled for classes will be used for off-campus research activity. On these days, individuals will meet with me.   
bulletAll written work will be submitted via WebCT.  A "hard copy" of the final paper. is also required.
bulletA course calendar will be available in WebCT.
 

Important policies:
bulletAll written homework will be submitted using WebCT Vista.
bulletNothing will be accepted by email or other means, without advance permission. 
bulletAny instance of plagiarism or other academic dishonesty will result in appropriate penalties.  A second offence will result in formal proceedings against the offender. See link to details at the bottom of this page.
bulletAll absences must be explained in writing to be excused. Unexcused absences will result in loss of course points.
bulletSee "Syllabus All" for other course policies.

Click for a printer-friendly copy of this chart.

Requirement

% value

Comment

Research paper

§Topic and
preliminary bibliography

 5 Submit a topic and a preliminary bibliography of five or more items.  Three must be library or archival sources.  Also identify at least one possible source of primary material.  

Students who fail to meet this requirement on time will be dropped form the class, because  work must be carried out in a timely fashion to produce a successful result.
§Outline  5 Submit via WebCT. Show significant progress toward completion of the finished work.
§Bibliography 5
(Final draft) (optional) (Submit about three weeks before final due date for preliminary evaluation.)

Finished paper

50

 Present a finished paper (50%) and make an oral presentation (10%) of its main points

Oral presentation

10

Individual conferences, miscellaneous assignments

   10 Meet with Dr. Kemp individually at least once during research hours to discuss your progress.
 

Book reports

 § one written report 15 Two-page summary & evaluation of each book.(5 points each)
Oral presentation & lead discussion on  one book (5 additional points)
second written report
Discussion
§ Marked items must be completed one week before mid-term. Due dates are on WebCT calendar.
The information in "Syllabus All" is part of the official syllabus for this course.

Reminder:  Grades of C or better are required for courses in your major.