Time Schedule:
Bruce W Hevly
HIST 388
Seattle Campus
Introduction to the discipline of history for new or prospective majors. Emphasizes the basic skills of reading, analysis, and communication (both verbal and written) that are central to the historian' s craft. Each seminar discusses a different subject or problem.
Class description
Spring 2011 topic: Technocracy
This course takes as its topic the history of scholarship on the suite of beliefs that suggest political power should be vested in technical experts. See the course description for HIST 390, taught concurrently with this course.
Student learning goals
Students will practice critical readings of other historians' work and arguments.
Students will consider how to identify and interpret relevant primary sources.
Students will gain familiarity with the processes of locating and accessing sources.
Students will be prepared to undertake independent research in their senior years in order to fulfill degree requirements in history or in HPS.
Students will learn about current problems and recent literature in the history of science.
General method of instruction
readings and class discussions; preparation and revision of research papers concerned with sources and problems in the history of science
Recommended preparation
This is the junior-level methodology course for history majors. No prerequisites, but some familiarity with history of science, and particularly with material covered in HIST 311 and 312 may be helpful, as may familiarity with American history and politics.
Class assignments and grading
Completion of assigned readings, participation in class discussions. Students will complete two major writing assignments totalling about 20 pages; other shorter papers for discussion. No exams; this is a W course.
Preparation for and participation in class discussions; assessment of a portfolio of written work which will accumulate over the quarter.
