Prof. Christopher V. Hill                                                                     Spring 2004 

HIST 499:  SENIOR THESIS 

This course provides the capstone project for all history majors.  Students will be expected to write an original thesis, based on primary and secondary sources.  Grades will be comprised of the following:  thesis, 80%; class participation (discussion and refereeing), 20%.  Since we will hit the ground running, class attendance is mandatory.  In addition, there will be no incomplete grades allowed or given, with the exception of dire medical emergency. 

This course will deal with two broad fields from which you may choose the topic of your thesis:  The History of Colonial India, or The Environmental History of the American West.  I realize that these two fields may seem to be a strange combination, but they are my fields of expertise. 

In addition to writing your thesis, each of you will function as a referee for one other student, up to and including the final rough draft.  You will be expected to comment on the thesis, use of sources, and style. You will find a list of secondary  materials at the end of the syllabus.  Each of you must pick one as a  preliminary reading.  You must also choose one primary source dealing with your secondary reading.  It may either be taken from the list at the end of the syllabus, or one which you are certain can be received through interlibrary loan within five days.  By February 4th you must have chosen a thesis topic; it will be irrevocable.  You may choose a reading and topic not on the list, but you must have my permission first. 

There are only two required books for this course: 

 Robert C. Williams, The Historian’s Toolbox

Sally Barr Ebest, Writing from A to Z

 In addition, the following books will be on two-hour/overnight reserve in the library

 Stanley Wolpert, A New History of India

Patricia Limerick, The Legacy of Conquest:  The Unbroken Past of the American West 

Incidentally, you must use the CMS style of documentation in your paper, which is the style explained in Ebest, pp. 115-139.

 NOTE: You must read The History Tool Box on the History Department Web Page (http://web.uccs.edu/history/toolbox/toolbox.html)  immediately.  This includes The Plagiarism Rules.  All students are responsible for reading and understanding what constitutes plagiarism.  It is the policy of the Dean of the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences to suspend any student who has committed plagiarism. 

ASSIGNMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS

January 21:  Introduction 

January 28:  Tour of the Library at 4:30 Sharp

                       Discussion of assignments 

Required: Williams, pp. xiii-46

                 The History Tool Box, at web.uccs.edu/history/toolbox/toolbox.html

                 Price and Myers, “How to Read a Book,” (handout)                

                 Wolpert, A New History of India,  pp. 187-350, OR

                 Limerick, Legacy of Conquest,  pp. 17-175

You must also read one of the secondary sources listed at the end of the syllabus, and  have skimmed a primary source for next week.  This will be foundation for your  thesis.

NOTE:  A one-to-two page paper which answers the following questions as they pertain to your primary source must be turned in to me and your referee by Tuesday, February 3, at noon.

 Questions:

1.  What is the main theme in your document?

2.  What is a secondary theme?

3.  What is the historical context of your document?

4.  What is the main problem, or question, that arises from your document?

5.  What is the title of another primary document that would help you answer #4?

6.  Name two secondary sources, one general and one specific, that will help you answer your question.

February 4:  Presenting Your Thesis

Required: Williams, Chs. 8 and 9.

                   Ebest, “Composing Processes” and “Research Processes.”

 You will orally answer the above questions, and your referee and I will respond to your answers.

February 11:  No class; you will work on your preliminary project statement.