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What
does it mean to read, think, and write as a historian? In English
198D, we will explore this question, drawing in part on the lectures and
readings for History of the Americas 135. The goal of English 198D
is to help students critically read history texts, conduct research, develop
arguments, evaluate their own writing as well as that of their colleagues,
and use feedback to revise their drafts. Students will also learn to analyze
history course materials for cues as to the underlying assumptions of assignments,
the nature of the audience addressed, the beliefs about what counts as
evidence, and the characteristic ways of building arguments in the discipline.
Class
activities in the writing link reflect the importance of writing as a means
of learning. Students will write to think through particular issues
or problems as well as to articulate what they already know. Students
will do much of this writing as homework assignments that may include analyses
of readings, development of group presentations, and short pieces leading
to a longer paper.
English
198D uses a workshop format, with students sharing their ideas and writing
in small groups and with the full class. In addition to regular class
meetings, students will also attend individual conferences with the instructor
on each major essay.
Although
English 198D shares some texts and assignments with History of the Americas
135, the writing class has separate reading, discussion, presentation,
and writing tasks. To do well in English 198D, however, you will
need to keep up with history course lectures, discussions, and readings.
I will attend lectures and meet with history course staff, but you serve
as the primary link between the courses.
My
role in the writing course is to provide the tools and resources you will
need to advance your own thinking about U.S. history through your writing.
I will pose questions, design activities to help you think through those
questions, and respond to the substance of what you write. Your role
is to do the hard work—the critical readings, analyses, and research.
You will generate ideas, evaluate evidence, and construct arguments relevant
to concerns raised in the history course. You will revise your papers
until they are as good as you can make them.
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Class:
MWF 10:30-11:20
Location:
Mueller 154
Contact:
K.
Gillis-Bridges
Office:
Padelford A-16
Phone:
543-4892
Office
Hours: TTh 10:30-11:30
and
by appointment
Page
updated 1/3/00
Comments
or inquiries
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