Diplomatic History
Research Seminar
SCHEDULE
Week 1 (5/13):
Introduction & Discussion of Research Resources
- Note:
Our class will first meet in AH 105.
After a few introductory remarks lasting about 20 minutes, we will
go together to the FAU library where we will examine primary sources
resources you will want to consult for your research project. We will go to two areas of the
library: Government documents section and the library classroom (1st
floor, under the stairs).
Week 2 (5/20): Discuss
topic ideas.
- By the
second week of class, you should already have a general idea of what topic
you would like to investigate for your paper. You also should have conducted
extensive exploratory research
in primary sources and secondary literature to determine a viable research
topic.
- In
class, you will be asked to present the following:
- Identify
the topic(s) you are considering for your research paper.
- Identify
available primary sources that you can use, and be prepared to answer specific questions about the
quality and quantity of those sources (i.e. is there enough material to
produce a paper). Expect to be grilled on this. You should have detailed knowledge
about the body of sources available and about the issues covered in those
sources. (i.e. you should evince evidence of having
already read a significant body of sources).
- Bring
1-2 pages of a primary document to share with the class, and provide
copies for each person in the class. Explain what this document suggests
about your research topic – what ideas, problems, issues does it raise?
- Identify
any key questions you are wrestling with that you would like the class to
discuss.
- Plan
on speaking for 10 minutes or less.
Week 3 (5/27): Prospectus
presentations.
- Prospectus
Assignment due on MONDAY, 5/25.
- Email
a copy to me and to your classmates by 4pm on Monday.
- Individual
research & meetings with instructor.
Week 4 (6/3): No
class meeting.
- Individual
research & meetings with instructor.
Week 5 (6/10): Discuss
Draft Introductions.
- Introduction
Assignment due on MONDAY, 6/22.
- Email
a copy to me and to your classmates by 4pm on Monday.
- Read the
introductions written by each of
your classmates and complete the
discussant assignment for one of those introductions, as assigned.
- Note
that by this date you should already have made meaningful progress on your
research paper: you should have developed a specific focus on a topic; you
should have examined numerous primary sources; you should have a working
thesis; and you should have a working outline for the paper as a whole.
Week 6 (6/17):
No class meeting.
- Individual
research & meetings with instructor.
Week 7 (6/24): No
class meeting.
- Individual
research & meetings with instructor.
Week 8 (7/1): No
class meeting. Complete rough draft
due.
- Complete Rough Draft due on WEDNESDAY, 7/8.
- Hard copies should be turned in to my mailbox in
the History Department by 4pm on Wednesday.
- Electronic versions should be emailed to all the
other students by 4pm as well.
Week 9 (7/8): Presentations and critiques.
Week 10 (7/15):
Presentations and critiques.
Week 11 (7/22): No class meeting.
- Individual
research & meetings with instructor.
Week 12 (7/29):
Final papers due, 4pm.
- Submit
a clean, hard copy of your final paper
- Also
include:
- copies of the rough draft that I
commented on;
- your
peer-reviewed draft, along with any written comments;
- your
prospectus, along with any written comments you received;
- your draft introduction, along with any written
comments you received.
- Include
all items in a folder clearly labeled with your name and the name of your
peer reviewer.
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