History 436 Dr. Dennis

Section 801 Spring 1995

W 3:30-6:00pm Cudahy 204?

Topics in Modern European History:

The Art and Practice of Historical Writing

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for graduate students completing a major or minor field in Modern European History. The objective of the course is to give participants practical experience in preparing various forms of professional writing: book reviews, review essays, dissertation proposals, fellowship proposals and grant proposals. After considering models of each genre, participants will formulate their own, submit them to the seminar and undertake common constructive criticism.

PROCEDURES: This practicum will consist of weekly meetings. In preparation for writing assignments we will first select and consider models of each format. For these sessions, all participants are asked to supply copies of recent book reviews and review essays from appropriate professional journals to serve as the basis for discussion. (The instructor will supply models and forms for dissertation, fellowship and grant proposals). Thereafter, participants will produce their own compositions, preferably on subjects related to major or minor field preparations in the Modern European area. Topics should be determined in consultation with the instructor in the intervening week. In the following session, we will collectively criticize our efforts. Each essay will be considered in detail by an individual reviewer; thereafter all are expected to comment on the work.

DEADLINES: All models and written assignments must be deposited in the History Department Office by 5:00 on the Monday before our sessions. Please supply one copy for the instructor, one for the individual reviewer and at least one for other members of the seminar. All participants are expected to read these materials by the time of our seminar meetings.

RECOMMENDED READING: The following books, available at Beck’s Bookstore, are useful guides to writing for publication.

The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th ed.

Jacques Barzun & Henry F. Graff, The Modern Researcher, 5th ed.

GRADES: Grades will be determined according to the following scheme. Attendance and participation will also be considered in setting the final grade.

Book Review 25%

Review Essay 25%

Dissertation Proposal 25%

Fellowship/Grant Proposal 25%

MEETING SCHEDULE:

WEEK 1 (1/19) Introduction to the Course

WEEK 2 (1/26) Writing Book Reviews

WEEK 3 (2/2) Individual consultations

WEEK 4 (2/9) Critique of Book Reviews

WEEK 5 (2/16) Writing Review Essays

WEEK 6 (2/23) Individual consultations

WEEK 7 (3/2) Critique of Review Essays

WEEK 8 (3/9) No Meeting: Semester Break

WEEK 9 (3/16) Writing Dissertation Proposals

WEEK 10 (3/23) Individual consultations

WEEK 11 (3/30) Critique of Dissertation Proposals

WEEK 12 (4/6) Writing Fellowship and Grant Proposals

WEEK 13 (4/13) Individual consultations

WEEK 14 (4/20) Critique of Fellowship Proposals

WEEK 15 (4/27) Critique of Grant Proposals

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