HIS 451 - Senior Essay I

All Majors are required to complete a two semester senior essay under the guidance of a fulltime history faculty member. The goal of the course is to give each history major the experience of a sustained, independent research project, including: formulating a historical question, considering methods, devising a research strategy, locating and critically evaluating primary and secondary sources. Research topics will be selected by students in consultation with the instructor. Classes will involve student presentations on various stages of their work and mutual critiques, as well as discussions of issues of common interest. The collaboration occurs in a seminar-like setting, in which a small group of students work with one professor for the entire semester, refining their historical skills and presenting their research findings. The students have to pursue a historical subject of their choice, in consultation with their professor. Students gain a better understanding of historical investigation through a careful analysis of primary and secondary sources and development of a well argued senior essay. By the end of the semester, majors have emerged with a sense of fulfillment in producing a senior essay proposal, state of the field essays, historiographical critique, and historical abstract. Students’ are required to enroll and successfully complete HIS 451 during the spring semester of their junior year. On rare occasions, with departmental and advisor approval given for compelling written and documented reasons, a senior essay may be started two semesters prior to graduation. The determination of the acceptation rests with the department chair and may not be appealed. All Majors are required to attend regularly scheduled senior essay seminar workshops as scheduled.
Prerequisite(s): EN 105, EN 106 and completion of a minimum of 75 credit hours.
Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Credits: 3

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