Comprehensive Examination and Readings in Early America – HIUS 911

CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

Analysis of the major primary sources and scholarly research of early American history leading toward a comprehensive examination.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The course provides comprehensive analysis of the basic content and scholarly literature of early American history. 

Course Assignment

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

The student will submit an essay explaining their research interests and the current state of historiography about their chosen subfield. The student will explain the historical significance of the subfield and offer thoughts about potential avenues of future research within the subfield. 

Critical Text Review Assignments (2)

Students will write a 4 to 5-page synopsis and critique of a leading “synthesis” text on the topic or period. Students must choose from a list of provided texts. This assignment will be submitted through Canvas and not provided to other students.

Discussion: Collaborative Annotated Bibliography Assignments (6)

Students will produce an annotated bibliography of approximately one paragraph per entry. Five books/five articles/five critical primary sources (1 from each secondary source must be produced within the past 2 years). Each student will produce the bibliography in a Microsoft Word document and submit the document to the course discussion for other students to use in preparing for their comprehensive exams. Students must reply to at least one other student’s post in 500 words with questions exploring the significance of the chosen items, Students will then respond to at least one other student’s replies to their own initial post in 500 words.

Oral Examination Assignment

The student will take the oral comprehensive exam with the professor at a coordinating time. Exam material will focus on material covered between module 1 and module 5, but will also take into consideration material that speaks to the student's research interests. The student will also write a reflection of approximately 500 words on how the oral exam went, noting both strengths and areas for growth moving into the written comprehensive exam.

Comprehensive Examination: Major Problems Assignment

Students will be presented with two questions from a pool of questions by the professor (by phone or email.) Students will select one to answer and submit it within 2 hours via the course assignment link. This will be formatted as a standard essay.

Comprehensive Examination: NarrativeLecture Assignment

Students will be presented with two questions from a pool of questions by the professor (by phone or email.) They will have to select one to answer and submit in the course assignment link within 2 hours. This will be formatted as a lecture given within a class.