Seminar: History of the American West (Hist 5630)
Phil Roberts History Lounge
Office: 356 History, 766-5101 or 5311 Wed., 7-9:30 p.m.
Home: 745-8205 E-mail: philr@uwyo.edu
Course Objective: This course will explore the major issues involving the people, politics, economy, environment and culture in Western history through reading, researching, writing and class discussions. The aim of the course will be to prepare students in specific areas of Western history through substantial reading and research, the specific assignments tailored to each student’s research goal.
Course Requirements: The essential requirement for this course is diligent reading and thinking about Western issues and their history. A major research paper or bibliographic essay will be required as well as oral contributions to class discussions. As preparation for writing the paper/essay, students will be expected to read existing published works on the topic. From this reading, students will provide oral reviews of five of the individually assigned works. Additionally, because the history of the West is ever-changing and contemporary issues are based on earlier events, students are expected to read about Western issues regularly as articles about such issues appear in the national and regional press. Ideally, each student will have a general understanding of Western historiography, although readings will be made available to those who wish to either refresh their knowledge of the topic or bring it up to date. The course grade will be based primarily on the oral reviews and on a final paper, the topic to be chosen in consultation with the instructor.
Required Materials:
During the first weeks of the class, individually assigned readings will be made, addressing specific areas of Western history. During the second class meeting, the discussion schedules for the semester will be distributed, indicating when each student will be expected to recite on individually assigned readings. Every effort will be made to assign readings based on student interests. These will include monographs, articles from journals, and primary source materials requiring access to the American Heritage Center. Students should expect to spend time outside class at the AHC, bearing in mind that the center’s hours are M-F, 8-5 and Saturdays, 11-3. Because an important component of the course will concern writing for scholarly historical publication, students are expected to be conversant with the contents of recent issues of the following five history journals: Western Historical Quarterly, Pacific Northwest Quarterly, Western Legal History, Annals of Wyoming, Montana: Magazine of Western History, and to be familiar generally with all state/regional history journals relating to the West, accessible in Coe Library’s serials collection.
Formal Paper: Each student will complete a formal essay/research paper which may take one of several forms. It may be a chapter of a longer study such as a thesis, dissertation or book. It may be a self-contained article about a particular issue in the history of the West or biography of an individual. It may be a bibliographic essay based on the specifically assigned books read during the semester. Whatever the form, the product should be the result of careful reading of existing works on the topic as well as sound, careful, original research. Presentations based on "rough drafts" will be scheduled during each of the last classes of the semester. (This will include bibliographic essays although the form of the presentation likely will be distinct from the research-oriented papers). The second half of the semester, AFTER mid-term, will be devoted to discussion and critique of the major paper. This process will be done constructively. Given that each of us has different goals for the project (as a thesis chapter, an article for possible publication, etc.), the “style” and length may differ from student to student.
Each presenter will also serve as a "commentator" during the final weeks. The commentator will lead the [constructive] discussion about the book. He/she will be responsible for checking footnote citations and bibliography. All students will be expected to have read and critiqued each presenter's paper before the night of his/her presentation. Each will provide the presenter with constructive suggestions which may take the form of a brief written report or legible suggestions written on the draft. In either case, they must be returned to the presenter on the evening of his presentation.
Each presenter will be responsible for seeing that each student in the class receives a copy of the draft on the Monday before the presentation is to be made. You are responsible for making enough copies for all members of the class. Unfortunately, you cannot make copies in the history department. (Don't even ask). Therefore, you should plan on using the student union copy center, Kinko's, etc. Following (constructive) class critiques of drafts, most students will have time to prepare the final, formal document.. The category of the topic will determine when you will present. The final product, due no later than finals week (Dec. 14), should conform to a recognized style, preferably Chicago Manual of Style or a recognized alternative. Deadlines are important; therefore, no late papers will be accepted.
Individually Assigned Readings:
Students should check my website periodically for updates on individual assignments. It is: http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/ROBERTSHISTORY/ and click on the “Seminar” title.
Grading: Oral reviews: 25 percent
Final paper: 60 percent
Class participation/commentary: 15 percent.
Sept. 7: Western History: An Introduction to the Historiography and Assignment of Readings.
Sept. 14: Researching Western History: An Overview of Collections.
Sept. 21: Writing Western History.
Sept. 28: Publishing in the Field of Western History.
Oct. 5: Beginning of specific recitations/reviews
Title of research paper/bibliographic essay due tonight.
Oct. 12: Recitations/reviews #2
Oct. 19: Recitations/reviews #3
Oct. 26: Recitations/reviews #4
Preliminary outline of research paper/bibliographic essay due tonight.
Nov. 2: Research night.
Nov. 9: Guest lecturer. Details TBA.
Nov. 16: 1st draft discussions
Nov. 23: No class. Thanksgiving Vacation.
Nov. 30: Presentations, Group 1. Presenters will please give one copy of the paper to Phil and a second copy to the designated commentator, by the Monday prior to the class. Phil will serve as a second "commentator" for each paper.
Del (commentator--Amanda); Skott (c. Rory); Rory (c. Keith); Julia (c. Drew); Keith (c. Skott)
Dec. 7: Presentations, Group 2
Kim (commentator--Del); Amanda (c. Julia); Drew (c. Ginny); Ginny (c. Kim)
Dec. 14: Presentations (if needed)
Final paper due tonight.
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