HISTORY 84000 – FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR IN EUROPEAN & NON-U.S. HISTORY

TUESDAYS 4:15-6:15 PM

PROF. JULIA SNEERINGER
OFFICE HOURS AT GC (ROOM 5106): TUESDAYS 3-4 OR BY APPOINTMENT
CONTACT PROFESSOR AT JULIA.SNEERINGER@QC.CUNY.EDU

This is the first semester of the year-long seminar that will culminate in the production of a substantial, research-based first-year paper, as required by the History program. In this course we will discuss methodology and prepare a research topic. This will include:
- formulation of a research topic
- preparation of a bibliography of secondary works
- writing of a historiographical essay
- preparation of a well-developed research prospectus by semester’s end [see at-tached guidelines]

To assist you in this process, we will discuss various examples of and approaches to his-torical writing, as well as consider the nature of history as a discipline. We will also visit several research libraries. Finally, we will workshop as a group each of your proposals as you prepare your prospectuses. The first-year paper is a key requirement of the History program - helping you craft it is a main goal of this course.

A note about attendance and grades: Weeks when we do not meet are not to be consid-ered a break from work – on the contrary, they are designed to give you blocks of time to devote to research and writing. Use them wisely. Since we do not meet every week, I expect you to be present on the weeks that we do, barring medical or family emergency. Your grade for the course will be determined by:
- regular participation in class
- short assignments, submitted on time (points deducted for lateness)
- final prospectus

The following are available at Barnes & Noble Union Square and on Reserve (code = histsneeringer):
Peter Burke, New Perspectives on Historical Writing (2nd ed.)
Helmut Walser Smith, The Butcher’s Tale: Murder and Anti-Semitism in a German Town

PROPOSED COURSE SCHEDULE:

Aug. 28 - Introduction

Sept. 4 - NO CLASS (I will be at a conference in Germany)

Sept. 11 - Library Session I – Mina Rees Library, CUNY Graduate Center

Sept. 18 - Writing History: Helmut Walser Smith’s The Butcher’s Tale
Write a 750-1000 word review, discussing its argument, sources, strengths and weaknesses (for models see www.H-Net.org/reviews or any issue of American Historical Review). Also discuss its weaving together of historiography, archival research, and narrative.

Sept. 25- Library Session II – New York Public Library: meet 4:15 in Astor Hall (off the lobby, Fifth Ave. side of building)

Oct. 2 - Historiography
READINGS: Richard Evans, In Defense of History ch. 1 (on Reserve); Peter Burke, New Perspectives on Historical Writing, chs. 1-2, 12 & any chapters relevant to your interests
Write a 3-page paper discussing the historiographical issues raised by Evans and Burke

Oct. 9 - Analysis of a Carefully Crafted Article
READING: Adelheid von Saldern, “’How Should Linoleum Floors be Cleaned?’: A Contribution to Alltagsgeschichte & the Social History of the 1920s,” in von Saldern, The Challenge of Modernity (on Reserve)

** E-mail to Prof. Sneeringer and to class by Oct. 12 your paper title, description of research question, preliminary bibliography, and 5-page discussion of the historiog-raphy surrounding your topic. **

Oct. 16 - Discussion of Topics – read classmates’ submissions before meeting

Oct. 23 - Discussion of Topics (cont’d)

Oct. 30 - Why Historians become Historians
READING: Michael Bess, “E.P. Thompson: The Historian as Activist,” American Historical Review 98:1 (Feb. 1993); also select an interview with a historian from Abelove et al. (eds.), Visions of History (on Res.)
Write a 3-page paper reflecting on the motivations of these historians as compared with your own. Consider their reasons for choosing their areas of study, as well as your own.

Nov. 6 - Discussion of Teaching

** E-mail by Nov. 9 to Prof. Sneeringer and class a first draft of your prospectus. **

Nov. 13 - Discussion of Prospectuses

Nov. 20 - NO CLASS (Thursday schedule)

Nov. 27 - Discussion of Prospectuses

Dec. 4 - NO CLASS. I will meet with individuals as necessary.

Dec. 11 - FINAL PROSPECTUS DUE