History - The Historian's Craft

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the practice of history and serves as the foundation to the major. HIST 301 focuses on the development of the core concepts and skills of our discipline: the construction of compelling historical questions and the practice of gathering evidence in support of answers and convincing arguments. The course trains students to think like historians, equipping them with skills in research, critical analysis, argument construction, and written expression. Students learn the value and function of primary and secondary sources and to recognize the variety of modes of historical production in our daily lives. Students will also gain practice with "historical thinking" and examine how to apply the same techniques of critical analysis to contemporary issues and debates. This course is required of all history majors. Prerequisite: Completion of KU Core 2.1 and recommended completion of KU Core 2.2. Open only to declared History majors or by consent of instructor.