Fall 2021 - HIST 815 G100
Prospectus Workshop (5)
Class Number: 4005
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Students will propose, revise, and present their thesis prospectus, in preparation for researching and writing their thesis. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
COURSE DETAILS:
Course Description
HIST 815 is an essential course for incoming MA students in the Department of History. Its purpose is to assist you, within a collegial workshop environment, in preparing an effective MA prospectus and defending it by the end of March 2021. Creating a prospectus is an important first step in writing a history thesis. The process will help you to define your research focus, position your work within the existing scholarly literature, identify potential sources, articulate a conceptual framework, fine-tune your methodology, and demonstrate to the department that your MA thesis will be both innovative and significant. In our meetings, you will learn about the components of a successful prospectus by looking at examples from former MA students. You will begin drafting sections of your prospectus in the Fall Semester and move on to writing a full draft in the Spring Semester. Throughout, you will have opportunities to workshop your writing and receive feedback from your peers and me; and throughout, you and I will work in collaboration with your thesis supervisor. This workshop will also provide a space for discussing broader questions or concerns you might have about the research and writing process, as well as other issues pertaining to your MA program. We hope that it will lay the groundwork for a strong sense of community within your cohort as you journey through graduate school and beyond.
HIST 815 is a pass/fail course. You will pass the course once you have successfully defended your prospectus.
Format
In this course, we will meet once a month in person. We will determine the schedule together just before the semester begins, after teaching assistant schedules have been determined. We will find a time that is convenient for everyone, although please note that I will ask you to prioritize our course over outside employment and other activities unrelated to your MA program. Various materials will be posted on our online learning platform, Canvas, so you will have to be able to access it via computer or phone/tablet. We strongly recommend that you use a strong WiFi connection or an ethernet connection.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021
Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place. Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes. You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).
Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required. You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.