The Nature of History
This course is an
introductory exploration of the meaning, philosophy, and study of history. It examines diverse areas of historical
study, the writing of history, the emergence and evolution of the historical
profession, how history affects our society and culture, and the applications
and relevance of history for the present.
It will introduce students to the methods of and problems associated
with “doing history,” the philosophy of history, the different interpretations
of the past, and the uses—and misuses—of history in American society. The course, a regular offering of the History
Department, is required for the Museum Studies Certificate and is now required
by the
Through your participation
in this course and its assortment of readings, discussions, and exercises, I
hope that you will begin to look at history differently, realize the richness
and complexity of studying the past, and ultimately come to appreciate history
as a useful discipline and a worthwhile profession. Among the many goals that I have for the
class, there are two that stand out: (1)
to demonstrate that history is not simply the memorization and
recitation of names, dates, and important events—as teachers have taught it in
our schools—but, rather the interpretation and explanation of the past,
which may change and be revised over time; and (2) that the study of history is
not meaningless, but that it is relevant and useful to our present and
future understanding of who we are as people, societies, and cultures.
Texts
James
W. Davidson & Mark H. Lytle, After
the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection
Warren Leon and Roy Rosenzweig, eds,
*Other readings are posted on ERROL, which is accessible through the IUPUI
Library website.
*Other items may be distributed or posted as appropriate.
Office Location My office is
located in Cavanaugh 327 (the National
Council on Public History). I invite and encourage you to take
advantage of my office hours and to visit me throughout the semester. When I am not in the office, you may leave
messages with the staff in the NCPH office (Cavanaugh 327), on voicemail, or
e-mail.
Telephone (317) 274-2718
E-mail dvanders@iupui.edu
Course
Requirements and Expectations. This class will examine a variety of topics and issues
associated with the study and practice of history. I strongly recommend that you complete
the assigned readings prior to each class in order to help you understand the
lectures and participate in class discussions.
While I enjoy lecturing, I would prefer that this class be more of an
ongoing dialogue about the issues at hand.
Therefore, I encourage you to ask questions (a key part of being a
historian), offer substantive opinions, and contribute items that you have read
or heard about. In other words, this
class is also what you make of it.
Course
Objectives. The study of history is often
misunderstood. People generally believe
that history is simply the memorization of names, dates, and important
events. This course is designed to expose
students to the usefulness of history and historical studies by helping them
learn to: (1) examine, assess, and understand the past and its relevance for
contemporary society; (2) understand the role of historians and history in
society; (3) analyze information and ideas that represent multiple perspectives;
(4) assess and critique historical writings and sources; (5) develop
well-reasoned and well-supported positions on historical questions; and (6)
express one’s opinions in a logical and factually supported manner.
The course objectives relate to the
Department of History’s “Principles of Undergraduate Learning,” which may be
found at www.iupui.edu/~history/principlesundergradlearning.htm. These principles will help the student to
understand and appreciate American history more fully and to improve critical
thinking and communication skills, which are essential to one’s academic
studies and future career, as well as for personal growth and development,
regardless of one’s area of specialization.
Oncourse. Oncourse is an electronic means of extending the
classroom to the Web environment. The
syllabus and all assignments are posted on Oncourse,
and I use it regularly to communicate with the class. Visit the site at: http://oncourse.iu.edu, click
on IUPUI, log in with your IUPUI username and password, and proceed to the H217
site. If you have not used Oncourse before, I strongly encourage you to visit the site
immediately and use the online tutorial since I will be using Oncourse to post assignment and announcements. It is your responsibility to check Oncourse on a regular basis.
ERROL. ERROL is an electronic course reserve system through the
University Library. Additional readings
used later in the course are accessible at that site, either as a pdf file or a
link to an electronic journal.
ERROL instructions: Log on to www.ulib.iupui.edu,
go to Course Work, then click on ERROL, and click on Electronic
Course Reserves. Either select by department (History) or instructor
(Vanderstel). Click to login to HIST H217. When prompted, your password is HISTH217.
You now have access to the other articles for class.
Grades. Course grades will be based upon the following:
1. Written exercises 45 %
2. Midterm exam 20 %
3. Final exam 20 %
4.
Service Learning 10 %
5. Class Participation 5%
Grading
is on a straight scale--90 & above, A; 80-89, B; etc., with +/- being 3
points above/below the grade cutoff.
Written
Assignments. Throughout the
semester, each student will complete several written assignments (approximately
5-6) that address different questions, research methods, and approaches
associated with the study of history. I
will post assignments separately on Oncourse or
distribute them in class with specific instructions and deadlines.
Work must be submitted in a neat,
legible, typed form. When using
computers, make sure that you save and backup your work AND retain a hard
copy of your work for your files. I
am not responsible for lost work due to computer or printer failure.
Assignments must be submitted by the
designated due date. Those submitted
after that date are subject to a 5% (one-half grade) reduction for each week, or portion thereof,
late.
Exams. The midterm and
final exams will consist of essays that focus on the readings, lectures, and
class discussions. They must be taken on
the assigned day. Make-up exams will be
given only if arrangements are made at least three (3) days in advance
of the regularly designated time; allowances will be made for extreme
emergencies.
Service Learning. As a way of building stronger ties with the community, the University
encourages faculty to establish “service learning” opportunities for students
to enhance their educational experiences.
While it resembles volunteerism, service learning provides the students
with a short-term hands-on experience to enhance their classroom learning AND
to provide the host organization with a service component. I am working with local museums and
historical organizations to establish service learning opportunities of
approximately 10 hours for later in the semester. I will be finalizing those arrangements in
the coming weeks so that you will be able to complete your project later this
fall. This
is a course requirement – no exceptions!
Attendance. Attendance
is required for class. Due to federal financial aid policies, the
University requires that I report students who are not attending class; thus,
non-attendance could indeed affect your financial standing. Therefore, I expect you to attend class regularly--because you enjoy the subject, are
enthused by the study of history, or maybe because you think I'm a great
professor! If you miss class, it is your
responsibility to secure notes and/or assignments from someone. I should note
that your attendance and participation (or lack thereof) in class may indeed
affect borderline grades at the end of the semester.
**If, during the semester, you find yourself having
difficulties with the class or facing personal problems that affect your work
and participation in the class, please see me immediately. I would prefer to work with you or
encourage you to drop the class rather than issue a failing grade for your
non-participation and non-attendance.
Ethics. As an institution
of higher education, the University maintains strict guidelines for proper
academic behavior. Cheating, plagiarism,
and other forms of intellectual dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be
handled in the manner prescribed by
Cheating is
dishonesty of any kind with respect to examinations, course assignments,
alteration of records, or illegal possession of examinations. It is the responsibility of the student not
only to abstain from cheating, but, in addition, to avoid the appearance of
cheating and to guard against making it possible for others to cheat.
[IU Bulletin, 1998-2000, p. 20]
Plagiarism is the
offering of the work of someone else as one's own. Honesty requires that any ideas of materials
taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully
acknowledged. The language or ideas
taken from another may range from isolated formulas, sentences or paragraphs to
entire articles copied from books, periodicals, speeches, or the writings of
other students. . . . Any student who fails to give credit for ideas or
materials taken from another source is guilty of plagiarism.
[IU Bulletin, 1998-2000, p. 20]
Over the years, I have had some unfortunate experiences with students who think they can fool the professor by passing off someone else’s work as their own. The University has provided numerous resources to the faculty to help them check students’ work for academic dishonesty. Be assured that this is serious business and that cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Violators will have to deal with the disciplinary process established by the University.
Cell phones and pagers:
In order to maintain a proper learning environment and appropriate
classroom decorum, all cell phones and beepers are to be turned off prior to
the beginning of class.
Interruptions by these devices during the class are cause for immediate
dismissal from the classroom for that evening.
Proposed Schedule of Classes: This is a proposed
outline of topics that we will address in class along with the required
readings; it is subject to changes and adjustments as the semester
proceeds. I intend to remain very
flexible with the schedule in order to devote appropriate time to the treatment
of the many different subjects. To stay
ahead, I recommend that you follow the schedule of readings. If we spend more time on a subject, I will
make appropriate adjustments in the schedule and notify you of them. If you have particular issues that you would
like discussed in class, please let me know and I will see if we can fit them
into our schedule. If other materials
become available for the class, I will either post them to Oncourse
or distribute them in class.
August 20 Course Introduction - review syllabus
and course expectations.
What is History and
Why Study It? -- general perceptions and understandings of
what history is and the value of studying it.
August 27 The Philosophy and Meaning of History: Developing A Sense of “Historical Mindedness”
Historiography
and the Writing of History
September 3 “Doing
History": Sources
“Doing History”:
Evidence and Research Methods
September 10 Emergence of the
Historical Profession
September 17 No
Class – DGV at AASLH
Fields of Historical Study and Applications of History
September
24 “Remaking
American History”: New Fields of Historical Study
October 1 Museums:
Origins and Purposes
October 8 Museums: Living History and Historic Sites
October
22 No Class – DGV out of
town
October 29 Museums:
Material Culture
November 5 Public History; Oral History and Historic
Preservation
November
12 Possible Topics:
History and
Film
Teaching
History in Contemporary Society
HISTORY IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CULTURE
Linenthal, “Anatomy of a
Controversy,” (ERROL)
December 3 The Abuse and Misuse of History
After the Fact,
December
10 Final Exam
*Please note that ALL assignments must be
submitted to me by the end of the last week of classes prior to the final
exam.