Gateway Seminar: How to Do History

HISTORY 161S

Examines innovative approaches to researching and writing history. Addresses key methodological issues, including techniques historians use to interpret the past and the political stakes. Topics include critical approaches to race, gender and colonialism. How do historians construct their objects of study? What count as primary sources? How do we read them critically? How do historians formulate analytic questions and arguments? What narrative techniques do they use? What are the stages of a research project? Emphasis on primary research and writing in second half of course. Students conduct original research in archives of their choice; workshop; and write research papers.
Curriculum Codes
  • EI
  • R
  • SS
Typically Offered
Fall and/or Spring