THE
FACULTY SENATE
Senate Document Number 3809S
Date of Senate Approval 02/12/09
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
APC Document 26: Delete
HIST 390, Seminar in Historiography;
Add HIST 250, The Historian’s Craft;
Add
HIST 451, Research Seminar Preparation
1. Delete: On page 161, the entry for HIST
390:
390 Seminar in Historiography (3)
A study in the practice and writing of history, its
evolving methods, theories and content, with attention to both academic and
public history. Required of all majors. Prerequisite: 12 hours in History, to
include at least one Historiography Intensive course; or permission of
instructor. Spring.
2. Add: On page 161, new course and
description, HIST 250:
250 The
Historian’s Craft (2)
A study in the practice and writing of history, its
evolving methods, theories, and content, with attention to both academic and
public history. Because this course is designed to prepare students for
research and writing in the history major, it should be taken before the
student takes upper-division history courses. Fall and Spring.
3. Add: On page 161, new course and
description, HIST 451:
451 Senior
Seminar Preparation (1)
Preliminary research for the Senior Research Seminar.
Taken in the semester prior to taking HIST 452, students will investigate
possible topics for the senior thesis, choose a thesis topic, and conduct
research into the historiography of the chosen topic. Prerequisite: HIST 250;
12 hours in History, to include 6 hours of 300-level HIST. Fall and Spring.
Impact:
This
change will divide the existing HIST 390, Seminar in Historiography into two
parts. Although the change will not
alter the total hours required to complete major requirements, students will be
required to take an additional course. HIST 250 will serve as the
Historiography Intensive course listed in the current major requirements, so
that requirement will be eliminated. The instructor who teaches HIST 250 will
also teach HIST 451; therefore, there will be no impact on staffing needs.
Rationale:
Traditionally,
history majors have taken HIST 390 in their junior year, in preparation for the
senior thesis. The course has included historical methodology and the craft of
researching and writing in history, in addition to exploration of senior thesis
topics and research into the historiography of each student’s chosen topic.
Based on feedback from faculty and students, history majors would be better
served if this course were divided into two separate courses. History majors
would benefit from training in historical research, methodology, and historical
writing skills earlier in their major. They can then practice these skills in
300-level courses, which in turn will better prepare them for the senior thesis
research and writing. Ideally, students will take HIST 250 as early as
possible, preferably in their sophomore year. Students will then take HIST 451
Senior Seminar Preparation in the semester prior to HIST 452, Senior Research
Seminar. In the new HIST 451 course, history majors will devote their time
exclusively to choosing a senior thesis topic and beginning the research for
the senior thesis.