Introduction to Research and Writing

Hist. 300
Sec. 10107
WN 7:05-9:45
Hybrid (FH 209)
Fall 2020

George Dehner
Office: Fiske Hall, Room 12
Phone: 978-7734 (office)
Email: george.dehner@wichita.edu
Office hours: Tues/Thurs. 9:30-11:00

Course Description:
This course introduces basic historical research methods, recent interpretations and the
techniques of professional narrative development. Students will identify a research topic and
source material, craft a proposal, refine methodology and produce a finished piece of research.

Statement on academic dishonesty:

Students in this class will be held to a higher standard than in other university classrooms.
Therefore, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. Incidents of dishonesty will
result in an automatic “F” for the course if detected.

Texts:
Storey, William Kelleher. Writing History: A Guide for Students, 3rd Edition. Oxford
University Press, 2008.

Strunk, William Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition. Pearson,
2019. ISBN: 9780205309023

Grading:
15%-Article Review and Presentation-(3-5 pages and 10 minute presentation)
15%-Book Review and Presentation-(3-5 pages and 10 minute presentation)
10%-Critique and editing of papers
50%-Research Paper-(15-20 pages) First Rough Draft due Sept. 30; Second Rough Draft due
Oct. 21; Final Draft due Dec. 2
10%-Presentation of the topic-15-minute timed presentation (conference format)

Attendance:
Attendance and preparation for all classes is expected.

Expectations:
By the end of this course the student will be familiar with how to identify a research topic,
discuss how the topic relates to the literature and methodology of the field, craft a research paper,
present the research in oral form and both critique and respond to criticism from their peers.
This hands-on course with introduce the process of historical research.
University Policies and Resources:
www.wichita.edu/syllabuspolicies

First Week:
Wed. (Aug. 19)-Syllabus review, expectations, introductions.

Second Week: Library/Storey time

Wed (Aug. 26)-Research Library overview/Storey and Article Review Discussion-read
Storey, Writing History.

Third Week: Article and Book Review Discussion

Wed. (Sep. 2)-Article/Book Review/Footnote Discussion
Research Topics Due

Fourth Week: Article Review Presentations

Wed. (Sep. 9)-Article Review and Presentations.

Fifth Week: article Review Presentations

Wed. (Sep. 16)-Article review and Presentations.

Sixth Week: Book Review

Wed. (Sep. 23)-Book Review and Presentations.

Seventh Week: Book Review

Wed. (Sep. 30)-Book Review and Presentations.
First Rough Draft Due.

Eighth Week: Draft discussions

Wed. (Oct. 7)-Draft Reviews by Arrangement.

Ninth Week: Writing Days

Wed. (Oct. 14)- Draft Reviews by Arrangement

Tenth Week: Meetings by Arrangement

Wed. (Oct. 21)-Meetings by Arrangement.
Second Rough Draft Due.

Eleventh Week: Group Critiques

Wed. (Oct. 28)-Group Critiques I and II.

Twelfth Week: Group Critiques

Wed. (Nov. 4)-Group Critiques III and IV.

Thirteenth Week: Meetings by Arrangement

Wed. (Nov. 11)-Meetings by Arrangement.
Fourteenth Week: Final Presentation
Wed. (Nov. 18)-Presentations of Research.

Fifteenth Week: Thanksgiving

Wed. (Nov. 25)-No Class, Thanksgiving

Sixteenth Week: Final Presentations

Wed. (Dec. 2)-Presentations of Research.
Final Papers Due