HIS 385: Art and Method of History

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to outline the major philosophies of history and of the meaning and nature of history. Additionally, it serves as an introduction to the methods of historical research and writing. We will explore what historians mean by a cause, an event, evidence, a primary or secondary source, a narrative, an argument, a manuscript, or a document. We will also be looking at the difference between explaining why and explaining how an event happened. This is a required course for all history majors and students in the social studies area of concentration.


Course Requirements: This is a discussion seminar grounded in required readings. As such, attendance and informed participation in class discussions are mandatory (20% of your final grade). Students submit discussion questions for each of the assigned books (40%) and produce a research paper based on archival sources (40%). This will be a topical paper that emphasizes questions of method and historiography. Students will present an outline, a draft, and an oral report on their work before turning in the final paper.


Course Goals: Upon the completion of the course, students should:

  1. Understand the purpose and nature of history as a field of study.
  2. Know how to pose historical questions.
  3. Develop and organize persuasive oral and written arguments.
  4. Think, read and write critically.
  5. Be able to engage in historical research based on archival sources.
  6. Live with ambiguity in a world where truth is always probable and contingent, never certain and predictable.

Required Reading:
Elizabeth Reis ed., Spellbound
Frances Hill ed., The Salem Witch Trials Reader
John Demos, Entertaining Satan
Peter Hoffer, The Devil’s Disciples
Nissenbaum and Boyer, Salem Possessed
You are strongly encouraged to purchase a Chicago style writing manual if you do not already own one. Diana Hacker’s A Pocket Style Manual is available in the bookstore.

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