Professor Jennifer Burns
Fall 2005
COURSE DESCRIPTION
From 1954 to 1973, a series of Supreme Court decisions fundamentally reshaped American society. To name a few, Brown vs. Board of Education ended legal racial segregation in schools, Miranda vs. Arizona established the rights of criminal defendants, and Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion. These decisions were seen by some as fulfilling the true values of America, and by others as a grave threat to the social order. As such, the decisions provide an ideal setting to examine competing definitions of the nation and the national good. Students in this seminar are invited to write a research paper (approx. 30 pages) on the historical context of any Supreme Court decision between the years of 1954 - 1973. Possibilities include, but are not confined to, analyzing the court’s decision itself, tracing the history of the major actors involved in a case, discussing the decision’s reception in the media or by ordinary Americans, or any other topic developed with the help of the instructor. Whatever their approach, students are encouraged to use the cases as a lens through which to examine American society in a time of great transition, and are not limited to the confines of legal history.
History 101 is designed to provide students with training in historical research and writing. Although independent projects might feel like solitary enterprises, this course is designed to provide a shared environment for intellectual inquiry. Students are encouraged to exchange ideas and information with each other, and are particularly urged to stay in close contact with the instructor. E-mail is the preferred method of communication: please let me know if you do not have at least daily access to an account.
In the beginning of the semester, we will meet as a group to discuss common concerns, such as identifying a topic, isolating a question, and finding relevant sources. Students will also be required to schedule individual meetings with the instructor in the first week. After several weeks of group meetings, class will not meet as scheduled, with the expectation that students will use the additional time to begin researching. During this time, individual meetings with the instructor will be arranged, and there will be select assignments to be handed in on the dates indicated below.
GRADING
Although this course is geared towards the production of a research paper, particular attention will be paid to the process of research and writing. Nearly half your grade will be dependent upon consistent engagement with the course throughout the semester. All assignments are due either in class on the indicated date, or, if class is not scheduled for that day, by NOON in my mailbox, 3229 Dwinelle. (Be advised that the history department office closes for lunch from 12 -1.) I do not accept email attachments for assigned work, and you must provide 2 copies of both your rough draft and your final draft.
The grading breakdown is as follows:
Process 45%
statement of topic - ungraded
report on former 101 paper - ungraded
prospectus - 5%
primary source exercise – 5%
argumentation exercise - 5%
rough draft - 15%
participation - 15%
Final Paper 55%
**Failure to complete any significant assignment -- i.e. rough draft, participation, or a combination of minor assignments -- will result in a failing grade.
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CLASS SCHEDULE
Week One
Monday 8.29 – Introductory meeting and individual meetings with Instructor.
Wednesday 8.31 – Class meeting and individual meetings with Instructor.
Friday 9.2 – Individual meetings with Instructor.
START RESEARCHING, BRAINSTORMING TOPICS
Week Two
CONTINUE RESEARCHING, BRAINSTORMING TOPICS
Monday 9.5 – Labor Day, no class.
Wednesday 9.7 – Library session: class meets in 550C Moffitt Library.
Friday 9.9 – Library session: class meets in 550C Moffitt Library.
Week Three
Monday 9.12 – Class meets: discussion of definitions, readings, concepts.
Wednesday 9.14 – Class meets: discussion of definitions, readings, concepts.
STATEMENT OF TOPIC DUE. TURN IN NRLF, ILL FORMS.
Friday 9.16 – no class meeting.
Week Four
Monday 9.19 – No class meeting.
Wednesday 9.21 – Individual meetings with Instructor.
Friday 9.23 – Individual meetings with Instructor.
REPORT ON FORMER 101 PAPER DUE
Week Five
Monday 9.26 – Class meeting: discussion of progress so far, topics, problems.
Wednesday 9.28 – No class meeting.
Friday 9.30 – Class meeting: how to read, take notes on a primary source.
PROSPECTUS DUE
October 1 – October 31: No class meetings scheduled. Meetings with instructor to be scheduled, mandatory and as desired. Use this month wisely to conduct the bulk of your research and begin mentally planning your paper. By the last week of October, you should have begun drafting ideas, paragraphs, sentences and be winding down your research.
Friday 10.7 – PRIMARY SOURCE EXERCISE DUE
Friday 10.14 – TURN IN 5 XEROXED/ TYPED PAGES OF YOUR NOTES
Week Ten
Monday 10.31 – Class meeting. Discussion: the writing process and getting started. OUTLINE DUE
Wednesday 11.2 – Class meeting. Discussion: writing process and getting started.
November 3 – 18: WRITING! No class meetings, individual meetings as necessary.
Friday, November 11 – ARGUMENTATION EXERCISE DUE in my mailbox by noon
Friday, November 18 – ROUGH DRAFT DUE – 2 clean copies
Week Thirteen
Monday 11.21 – Class meeting: discussion of drafts.
Wednesday 11.23 – Class meeting: discussion of drafts.
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week Fourteen
Monday 11.28 – Class meeting: how do you write a conclusion? Drafts returned. Individual meetings with Instructor.
Wednesday 11.30 – No class: revise and rewrite! Individual meetings with Instructor.
Friday 12.2 – No class: revise and rewrite! Individual meetings with Instructor.
Week Fifteen
Monday 12.5 – No class: revise and polish.
Wednesday 12.7 – Final class meeting – FINAL DRAFTS DUE IN CLASS– 2 copies