Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - HIST 400 D100

Methodology (4)

Class Number: 5808

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Admission to the honours program in history.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced seminar on historical methods. Focuses on the identification and analysis of sources in preparation for writing the honours essay.

COURSE DETAILS:

Our subject/themes
Historians are researchers, readers & writers. We are also human beings with our own interests, beliefs, personal and scholarly life stories, and trajectories. In this required seminar for students pursuing an Honours degree, we will consider the variety of ways that historians pose research questions, track down, interpret, and respond to sources. We will also work on a set of practical skills to help you move towards the eventual completion of an Honours thesis in History.

Skills we’ll be working on in this course

  • critical reading: exploring and responding to scholarly argument and interpretation
  • research: working with a range of primary and secondary sources across different media
  • writing: completing a series of assignments focused on historical methods and the subject/themes of your own research
  • oral communication +: engaging in group discussion and presentations online and during class sessions
  • online literacy: exploring and learning to use some of the different web/digital tools/resources available to historians

Grading

  • Seminar preparation & participation 15%
  • Zotero Bibliographic Assignment 10%
  • Short Essay Assignments 45%
  • Thesis Proposal (draft & final submission) 30%

NOTES:

*Assignments and grading may be adjusted before the term begins. Students who require accommodations related to a disability of any kind are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required course materials will be available electronically via the SFU Library website and/or our Canvas course site.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.