HTY 498: Senior Seminar in History: Global First World War
Instructor: Kara Peruccio
Days/Time: Thurs, 4-5:50pm
Location: S175
Course Number: 44598
Description: The Senior Seminar is the history major’s capstone experience. As such, it offers you an opportunity to put to use the skills you have acquired in your various history classes: critical reading, research, analytical writing, and argumentation. The seminar is designed to guide you through the production of a substantial piece of historical writing based on your own analysis of primary and secondary sources. Senior seminar themes are defined broadly to allow each student flexibility in choosing a topic of their own interest. Our common focus will facilitate cross-fertilization of ideas and offer a foundation for group discussions and evaluation.
The theme of our seminar is the First World War through a global perspective, and we will examine changes in society, politics, and culture as a result of this transformative international event. You will analyze trends in colonialism/imperialism, gender and sexuality, war and peace, class, cultural production, and science and technology. From Maine to Mesopotamia, Washington D.C. to Sarajevo, we will explore the First World War through posters, memoirs, newspaper articles, poetry, and more.
With the flexibility of broad chronology of the “long” First World War era (1871-1923) and of the geography of your choosing, research on a wide variety of topics is encouraged. After selecting a research topic, you will examine secondary and primary sources and write a series of sequenced essays that will build towards a final, comprehensive research paper of approximately 25 pages. All are welcome.
General Education Requirements: Satisfies the Writing Intensive and Capstone Experience requirements.
Prerequisites: Restricted to history majors with senior standing.