Historiography – HIST 602
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023
Course Description
This course covers the historiographical and theoretical approaches to the discipline of history. Particular emphasis is given to the history of historical writing, classic works of historiography, and Christian worldview.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
The student of history should understand how historians have understood and constructed the past based upon his/her own cultural assumptions, epistemic presuppositions, and methodological limitations. This course emphasizes historiography and interpretations of history from the ancient world to the present. The student also explores Christian perspectives on history and is challenged to develop a consistently Christian and biblical approach to researching, writing, and teaching history.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussion: Historian Biography
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 250–300 words, include at least 2 scholarly citations in current Turabian format, and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 3 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 100–150 words.
Quiz: Final Paper Topic Selection
The student will select a topic for his/her final historiographic paper and get approval from the professor.
Quiz: Writings on Final Paper Topic
The student will define "historiography" and briefly show how their proposed final paper topic fits into that definition. 100-125 words.
Final Paper Bibliography Assignment
The student will compile a bibliography of 12 sources (including at least 3 journal articles) for his/her Final Paper. The sources must be in current Turabian format.
Quizzes (7)
Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned modules (Modules 1–7). Each exam will be open-book/open-notes, contain up to 16 multiple-choice, true/false, and essay questions, and will have a 1-hour time limit.
Quiz: "Martin Luther and the Reformation in Historical Thought, 1517-2017" Article Response Essay
Students will write a brief summary of C. Scott Dixon's essay, "Martin Luther and the Reformation in Historical Thought, 1517-2017," noting the main trends and works in Luther/Reformation studies. 250-300 words.
Opposing Viewpoints Assignment
The student will write a 2–4-page historiography-based paper in current Turabian format over 2 different historical works dealing with the same topic (offering different perspectives). The paper must include at least 2 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.
Final Paper Assignment
The student will write a 13–15-page historiography paper in current Turabian format that focuses on a topic of his/her choice (and approved by the professor). The paper must include at least 12 references (including at least 3 journal articles).
