Comprehensive Examination and Readings in Modern America – HIUS 912

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 modern American history leading toward a comprehensive examination.

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

Rationale

This course provides comprehensive analysis of the basic content and scholarly literature of modern American history.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussion: Collaborative Reading Notes Assignments (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will produce reading notes per the template provided. Six sources will be used, which must include 2 relevant peer-reviewed articles, 2 academic books, and 2 critical primary sources used as evidence in the student's selected academic books. Either 1 book or 1 article chosen must have been published in the last 2 years.  Each student will produce the reading notes in a Microsoft Word document and submit the document to the course discussion for other students to use in preparing for their comprehensive exams. The student must reply to at least two other student’s posts in 500 words with questions exploring the significance of the chosen items.

Research Interests and Methodology Assignment

The student will select a sub-field or research methodology within the course field to pursue in subsequent assignments. The student will overview the current historiography related to the student's research interests, citing 3–5 key texts that shape or accurately characterize the chosen subfield. The student will also describe the historical significance of his/her research interests and explain potential avenues of future research in the subfield. The essay must be 500 words in length, 3–5 books/articles must be cited, and citations must follow Turabian formatting.

Critical Text Review Assignments (2)

The student will write a 2-page synopsis and critique of a leading “synthesis” text on the topic or period. The student must choose from a list of provided texts in the Weekly Reading Lists. This assignment will be submitted through Canvas and not provided to other students.

Oral Review Assignment

The student will schedule time with the professor to perform an oral interview and provide a reflection paper at the completion. The student should plan for the conversation to last approximately 30 minutes. This review will assess the student’s command of his/her readings within his/her selected area. After the completion of the conversation with the professor, the student will write a reflection of approximately 500 words on how the oral review went, noting both strengths and areas for growth moving into the written comprehensive exam.

Comprehensive Examination Assignment

The student will be presented with a question and then submit his/her answer within 6 hours via the course assignment link. There is no specific page-length or word-length requirement; the student should include as much as possible in the six-hour time frame allotted. A 10% deduction will be applied for each hour or portion of an hour over the time limit. At least 20 sources are required. The assignment will be submitted as a Microsoft Word document and should utilize Turabian style formatting.