Advanced Historical Research – HIST 601
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
Application of advanced historical methodology to a specific topic or research interest.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
This course provides advanced History students the opportunity to conduct supervised historical research. Students will produce a research design, review historiography of the subject, conduct primary source research, and produce a substantial final paper. The course will become the expected bridge for online students seeking to write a thesis, and the final project is designed to serve as the introductory chapter(s) of the thesis. Online MA History students may take HIST 689/690 as part of the 36 hour online program.
Course Assignment
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Research Topic Selection Assignment
The student will devise a research topic suitable for a graduate-level history course. The topic must relate to American history, modern European history, or world history. The research topic must answer a specific question of historical interest. The student will write a 1-paragraph statement of the research topic and explain the key historical questions to be answered or resolved.
Research Design Assignment
The research proposal is a detailed explanation of the topic to be studied, the process by which the student answers a question of historical significance, and the principal sources for research. It must include a: 1) thesis statement 2) explanation of historical significance 3) preliminary bibliography 4) a research plan that explains the location of the major primary sources needed to complete the project (archives, digital libraries, museums, etc.) and 5) A list of 3 potential directors of this thesis. The director must be a graduate faculty or graduate adjunct faculty member with the LU Department of History. The student will write a 1-page Research Design in current Turabian format.
Scholars Crossing Review Assignment
For this assignment, the student must review at least 3 Master’s Theses from graduates of the History Department in Jerry Falwell Library’s Scholars Crossing (also known as Digital Commons). After reviewing each thesis, the student must create an annotated bibliography entry for each one in current Turabian format, offering a general overview of the thesis. Each annotation must not exceed 50 words.
Annotated Bibliography Assignment
The student will form a basic list of the key documents, historical objects, works of art, books, and articles related to the research topic. The sources will be divided into primary and secondary sources. At least 40 entries, divided between primary and secondary sources, and all must be annotated. The student must use proper Turabian formatting for the bibliography. Of the 40 entries: (a) 20 must be primary sources, (b) 10 must be books, (c) 15 must be articles, and (d) 10 must be an archived or edited primary source.
Historiographical Essay Assignment
The student will produce a historiographical essay pertaining to their chosen research topic. The submitted assignment should be 1500–1750 words, use proper Turabian citation, and focus on why and how historians change their interpretations about the specific topic over time. Historiographical essays are available in scholarly journals and even on scholarly websites and discussion boards. In some instances, there may not be an essay directly applicable to the chosen research topic. In this case, students should consult with the instructor for further guidance.
Research Journal Assignments (2)
Students will produce 2 Research Journals. Each journal has its own specific prompt, related to the work being done in the module:week in which it is due.
Final Research Paper Assignment
The student will compile information from the historiographical essay and research journal into an 20–25-page final research essay related to the scholarship of his or her chosen research topic.
Complete the quiz using supplied information on potential research directors.
