Course ePortfolio
Historical Skills - Copy
Introduction to the skills of secondary and primary source research, critical analysis of documentary sources, historical reasoning and the preparation of written reports. Attention to research procedures, record-keeping, citation, and bibliography.
Prerequisites
Open to History majors who have completed at least 6 units of required lower division coursework. Recommended for second semester of sophomore year.
Pedagogical Approach & Learning Outcomes
Pedagogical Approach
None
Learning Outcomes
Students will learn how identify primary and secondary sources, conduct research using primary and secondary sources, write an 8-10 page paper that includes an argument and incorporates primary and secondary sources to support the argument, and format the paper using correct grammar, syntax, and citations (including in-text quotation, in-text material citation, footnotes, and bibliography) that are appropriate to the discipline of history (Chicago Manual of Style).
Assessment & Other Information
Assessment
Students will be assessed using the following assignments: 1) discussion forum, 2) analysis of primary and secondary sources, 3) writing a book review, 4) selecting a paper topic, 5) researching primary and secondary sources for the paper topic selected, 5) writing a bibliographical essay for the primary and secondary sources researched, 6) completing grammar exercises, 7) completing citation worksheets (footnotes, quotations, and bibliography), and 8) writing a short 8-10 page research paper that incorporates all of the historical skills covered over the course of the semester (listed in the student learning objectives).
Other Information
None
Course Resources
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WebQuest Page (Reference Material)Might be useful for students to get added insight on conducting online research.
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Research Guide for Doing Undergraduate History (Reference Material)Another potentially useful site for conducting online research.
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Electronic Journals Library (Reference Material)This site might include journals for which Sac State currently does not have subscriptions.
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Global Development Network (GDN) - Free Journal Access Portal (Reference Material)This would be a useful site for students to find additional journals that the university does not have.
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More Than A List of Crew (Reference Material)This would be especially useful to students interested in British seafaring history.
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Focus on Film (Collection)This would be a useful site for students interested in researching and/or using films in their papers.