Senior Thesis Seminar I
(Non-U.S.
Topics)
Fall 2001
Tuesday, 6-8 p.m.
Room: 301M Fayerweather Hall
Samuel Moyn (Instructor)
Department of History
Fayerweather
Hall 616
(212) 854-3009
http://www.columbia.edu/~sam2008
Office
Hours: Thursday, 1-3
Introduction
This year-long course will guide history majors in producing a thirty-five to fifty page senior thesis based on original historical research. Discussion will cover discovering and researching a topic, building an argument, and proper use of primary and secondary sources.
The
first semester will begin with a brief discussion of historical theory and
methodology. The class then turns
to the mechanics of developing and executing an independent research project.
Students will be expected read and comment on one other’s work
throughout.
Students
should expect to complete their research by the beginning of the second
semester. They will spend the
majority of the second semester writing and revising their theses.
Course Home Page
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/subj/HIST/C3945-20013-001/sectionw.html
Paper Discussion Page
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/columbiahistorythesis
Required Texts
Wayne C. Booth et al., The
Craft of Research,
(Chicago), ISBN # 0226065847
Anthony
Grafton, The
Footnote : A Curious History, (Harvard), 0674307607
Schedule of Meetings and Readings
Sept. 4:
Introduction
Unit One: Background
(as you
choose topics and begin research)
Sept.
11: Theory versus Fact
A. Momigliano,
“Ancient History and the Antiquarian”
—,
“Edward Gibbon’s Contribution to the Historical Method”
A. Grafton, The Footnote, selections
Sept. 18: No Class – Rosh
Hashanah
A library tour will be scheduled
at a time agreeable to everyone to make up for this class.
Sept. 25: Fact versus Fiction
H. White, “The
Historical Text as Literary Artifact”
A. Momigliano, “The Rhetoric
of History and the History of Rhetoric: On Hayden White’s Tropes”
Unit Two: Topics and Models
Fri., Sept. 28: Due: Two-page statement of topic and
possible sources
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23: Each class during this four-week
period is devoted to common discussion of several student topics and one model
scholarly article to be announced.
Unit Three: Prospectus
Fri., Oct. 26: Due: Ten-Page Prospectus
Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20: Each class during this unit
is devoted to discussion of several prospecti.
Nov. 20: Due: Bibliography with annotations or
bibliographical essay
Unit Four: Writing
Dec. 14: Due: Draft chapter or proto-chapter of
thesis; five-page progress report
Break: You will read chapters, finish
research, and write an analytical outline of your thesis.