Course Requirements

Undergraduates:  Students are expected to attend lectures twice a week; to read the weekly assignments; and to meet in sections once a week to discuss both the lectures and the readings.  Each student will also be asked to write a paper of at least 3000 words in length, due the week of November 29 (see assignment below); to take a midterm examination in class on October 20; and to take a final examination in exam period.  The paper, the exams, and section participation will each constitute one-third of the grade for the course.  The paper will be evaluated for both content (evidence and argument) and style of presentation.   Exams should be as well-written as time constraints allow;  both argument and evidence are critical there as well.  Section participation will be measured by a combination of attendance, preparation, and participation.  Students who do not attend sections will, therefore, receive no credit for one third of the course.

Graduate Students:   In addition to attending lectures and doing the assigned readings, graduate students in history and Ph.D. candidates in other GSAS programs will be expected to write a historiographical essay of 12-15 pages, due December 6, on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor (see assignment below).  They are excused from the undergraduate exams and paper.  Graduate students from schools outside the GSAS and non-Ph.D. students in departments other than history may choose between fulfilling the undergraduate or graduate requirements.