First-Year Seminar--European History (101-6-26)

Topic

The History of History

Instructors

Jeffrey Eric Eden
847/491-7448
Jeff Eden (Ph.D., Harvard, 2016) is a historian of Russia and Central Asia. His books include God Save the USSR: Soviet Muslims and the Second World War (Oxford, 2021) and Slavery and Empire in Central Asia (Cambridge, 2018). At Northwestern, he offers a range of courses on Russian, Eurasian, and global history. In 2022, his dog Bella was awarded "Best Smile" at the St. Mary's Pet Talent Show in southern Maryland.

Meeting Info

Allison Residential Comm 1021: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Topic: The History of History

This course charts the development of history as an academic discipline. We will examine the course of "Western" historical thinking in particular, with emphasis on the most influential philosophies of history and historical methodologies. Students will learn the work of the historian, how historians think about history, and how to do scholarly historical work. Throughout the semester, in other words, we will concentrate on the different approaches historians have used to solve the complex problems of interpreting the past and presenting their findings to an audience, and how to apply these approaches to our own work.

Learning Objectives

• setting and evaluating academic goals
• communicating effectively, both orally and in writing
• studying effectively
• thinking critically
• understanding standards of academic integrity
• knowing when and how to ask for help

Evaluation Method

Response papers (10x): 35%. Preparation/participation: 40%. Term paper: 10%. Revised term paper: 10%. Annotated term paper bibliography and preliminary narrative summary: 5%.

Class Materials (Required)

All the assigned readings will be uploaded on Canvas

Class Notes

History Area(s) of Concentration: European

Class Attributes

WCAS First-Year Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required