HST 3251 - Theory and Method

1. Develop each student's strength in a methodological concentration of his or her choice.
   1. Develop each student's ability to assess the application several methodologies to historical issues.
   2. Develop an appreciation of the changes (and hopefully improvements) in historical analysis that are brought by appropriate application of theory and method.

1. Write a method paper on a theme or area of importance to you. This will be a substantial paper of some 30 pages or 7500 words, reviewing literature on the development and application of the method you have chosen, and identifying your own methodological focus and how it will be applied. For doctoral students this paper, when submitted to your doctoral committee, may go a long way toward satisfying your methodological requirement for the Ph.D.
2. Lead a methodological discussion on another area. Each student will lead the discussion for one class, elucidating and scrutinizing the methodology in question, based on the assigned readings, and perhaps supplemented by additional reading.
3. Intervene actively in the discussion during each class, demonstrating an ability to grapple critically with the theories and methods under discussion.
4. Subscribe to H-WORLD, and submit at least one posting to the list that substantively addresses theory and methodology, in the context of an empirical issue of significance in world history.

1. At Gnomon Copy (Huntington Ave.) is a packet containing three items, for discussion on April 4: