Historiography

History 5000

Fall 2006

Dr. Edmund F. Wehrle

2576 Coleman Hall

efwehrle@eiu.edu

581-6372

Office hours: MWF 11-12, and by appointment

Course Description:

This course introduces beginning graduate students to the basics of historiography—that is the study of the study of history.As such students will examine various schools of thought, methodologies and approaches practiced by historians—from the “traditional” interpretations of the first professional historians to the so-called “cutting-edge” scholars of today practicing the “new cultural history.” The course will also serve as an introduction to the Eastern Illinois University history faculty. Each week a different instructor will present materials relating to his/her field.

Readings:

Gaddis, Landscapes of History
Appleby et al., Telling the Truth about History
Novick, That Noble Dream
& materials assigned by guest professor

Seminar Meetings:

August 21 Introduction; Readings: Gaddis, Chapters 1&2

August 28 What can we know about history?
Readings: Gaddis, Chapters, 3-8; Novick, Chapter 11
Gaddis Paper Due

September 11 History as Science?
Readings: Appleby (entire book); Novick, Chapters 13&14

September 18 The Whig Interpretation, Dr. Newton Key

September 25 Marxism as History and Historiography, Dr. Anita Shelton

October 2 The Perils of Post-Modernism, Dr. Mark Voss Hubbard

October 9 Gender as an Analytical Category, Dr. Sace Elder

October 16 The Historiography of Slavery, Dr. Martin Hardeman

October 23 Said and Saidism, Dr. Rajit Mazumder

October 30 Ancient Historiography, Dr. Josh Birk

November 6 History as Memory, Dr. Jinhee Lee

November 13 State and Society in 20th America, Dr. Lynne Curry

November 27 The “New” Cultural History, Dr. Jon Coit

December 4 Conclusions (Historiographical Paper Due)

Assignments:

Students are expected to attend every seminar meeting fully in command of the assigned materials and fully prepared to discuss issues raised in the readings. In addition, students will complete several writing assignments (to be graded by Dr. Wehrle not the visiting professors). A short paper based on the John Lewis Gaddis book will be due on the second class meeting. Students also will write 3 position papers addressing essential issues raised in the readings corresponding to a particular week. These papers will be due on the day the particular materials are presented. Students will also complete a longer (10-12) historiographical paper on a topic of their choice (chosen in consultation with Dr. Wehrle). The longer paper will be due on the last class meeting

Grading:

Gaddis Assignment 10%

Position Papers 10% (each)

Term Paper 30%

Participation 30%

The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus as the semester progresses as he thinks it necessary. If you have a documented disability, please let me know by the end of the first week of classes so I can make appropriate arrangements.