Document Type
Syllabus
Publication Date
Fall 9-1-2024
Course Description
The senior research seminar is designed as the capstone and culmination of your work as a history major at DePauw University. In this course, each of you will design, develop, and complete a significant research project in history honing your research skills, collecting a variety of primary and secondary sources, and placing your research in its historical and historiographical context. Although it is important to use relevant secondary sources, your research paper must be based principally on primary documents. Also, each paper must have a thesis that is adequately supported by evidence. It must be conceived, researched, and written by you – not AI – and it must be fully documented using the Chicago/Turabian N/B style. We will begin the semester together in order to meet each other, the librarians and archivists, build community, and to talk about what constitutes “good history.” The rest of the semester we will focus on doing individual primary research and writing and this is where you will do most of your work as you work on your different chosen topics. However, we will continue to meet with the whole group in weekly sessions to check in with each other and share your progress, your failures, and triumphs. Additionally, we will meet individually to discuss your ideas, progress, and drafts. I expect to connect with you at least once every two weeks (but hopefully more often) to discuss your work. You should think of me as well as your seminar colleagues (in both seminars) as your resources and support group in this daunting, yet exciting undertaking. You should also feel free to consult other professors in the history department if your chosen topic falls into their area of expertise.
Recommended Citation
Bruggemann, Julia, "HIST 490B “S” Senior Seminar Bruggemann Fall 2024" (2024). All Course Syllabi. 700, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/records_syllabi/700
Student Outcomes
Students will be able to: Outcome: Analytical skills - evaluate historical arguments, historiographical debates and develop and frame historical arguments in their own work. Outcome: Expertise/depth - research and write an original, argumentative history paper that engages primary and secondary sources Outcome: Oral communication skills - communicate effectively in class discussions and final research presentation